A Dash Cam is a small camera mounted on the windscreen or dashboard of your car. It faces forwards (the driver’s view) and videos your journey.
Many include a parking mode which will begin recording when any kind of impact is detected so that if someone reverses into your parked car, hits a wing mirror or similar, you may be able to trace them if they don’t leave their details.
What types of Dash Cam are there?
Dash Cams come with a range of functionalities including:
Front view: these do what they say on the tin and can film everything that happens in front of the vehicle.
Front and rear view: these Dash Cams record what’s happening on the roads in front and behind you. So in the event of an accident where you’re hit from behind, these cameras provide footage that may be used as evidence for insurance companies and the police.
Cabin view: these Dash Cams provide a view of what’s happened inside the vehicle cabin. These are often used commercially, or for those who wish to monitor their driving skills.
Are there any legal considerations when installing a Dash Cam?
Indeed there are. You don’t need permission to install a Dash Cam from anyone however it may be useful to let your insurance company know because this may reduce your insurance premiums. However, there are legal obligations around the installation of your Dash Cam. It must in no way restrict the view of the driver or distract them from the road. Any instance of this could leave you liable in the event of an accident.
Laws around the installation and use of Dash Cams varies from country to country, so do check before you drive using your Dash Cam when abroad.
I’ve got a black box. Do I still need a Dash Cam?
The two are not the same – so you might. A black box records your driving style, your speeds and so on. A Dash Cam records what has happened in front of, or behind the car. Therefore a black box would not provide visual evidence in the event of an accident or if the car was damaged whilst stationary.
What are the benefits of installing a Dash Cam?
There are many benefits of installing a Dash Cam:
Reduced insurance premiums: insurers increasingly look favourably on the installation of Dash Cams because they provide irrefutable evidence in the event of an accident. This is particularly pertinent in the wake of ‘Crash for Cash’ scams that are increasingly common.
Supporting legal evidence: footage is now frequently used in courts of law in the event of road traffic accidents. Dash Cams provide undeniable proof of what happened. Footage is also time-stamped and so can prove who was where and at what time.
Vehicle theft prevention: some Dash Cams have a ‘sleep’ facility and will wake up when any kind of movement is felt. This may act as a deterrent to potential thieves.
Peace of mind for those who care: Insurers like Dash Cams because they offer financial protection. For your nearest and dearest, a Dash Cam offers peace of mind in knowing that the driver is protected from Crash for Cash scams.
The key question about Dash Cams is really ‘why wouldn’t you?’. There are so many benefits to installing a Dash Cam and with so much choice available to suit vehicle makes, models and budgets, there should be no barriers to installing a Dash Cam.
Email our sales team via sales@kits-n-bits.com today for a no-obligation conversation about the best dash cam for you, or someone you know.