Dashcam Discounts & Claims

As FCA-authorised experts in the UK motor insurance market, WeCovr helps thousands of drivers find the right cover. This guide explores how a small, affordable piece of technology—the dashcam—can significantly impact your insurance costs, protect you from fraudulent claims, and provide invaluable peace of mind on the road.

Unlock Lower UK Motor Insurance Premiums: How a Dashcam Can Slash Your Costs, Protect Your No-Claims Bonus & Bulletproof Your Accident Claims

The dashboard camera, or dashcam, has rapidly evolved from a niche gadget for tech enthusiasts to an essential tool for savvy UK motorists. In an era of rising insurance premiums and increasingly complex accident claims, a dashcam serves as your silent, impartial witness on the road. Its ability to provide indisputable video evidence can be the deciding factor in an insurance claim, potentially saving you thousands of pounds, safeguarding your valuable No-Claims Bonus, and even securing a direct discount on your policy.

This comprehensive guide will demystify the relationship between dashcams and motor insurance in the UK. We'll explore how they work, whether insurers offer discounts, how to use footage effectively in a claim, and the legal considerations you need to know.

The Big Question: Do Dashcams Actually Lower Your Car Insurance Premiums?

This is the number one query from drivers considering a dashcam. The answer is nuanced: yes, but not always in the way you might expect.

While a handful of insurers offer a direct, upfront discount—typically between 10% and 15%—for drivers who use a specific, approved dashcam, this practice has become less common. Insurers have found that the real value isn't just in having the camera, but in the evidence it provides when an accident happens.

The primary financial benefit of a dashcam is indirect but far more significant: its power to prove you were not at fault in an incident.

Direct Discounts vs. Indirect Savings

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) notes that "crash for cash" scams—where fraudsters deliberately cause accidents to make bogus insurance claims—cost the industry and honest policyholders millions each year. A dashcam is your single best defence against these criminals.

How a Dashcam Bulletproofs Your Claim and Protects Your No-Claims Bonus

Your No-Claims Bonus (NCB), also known as a No-Claims Discount (NCD), is one of the most valuable assets in motor insurance. It's a discount applied to your premium for each consecutive year you go without making a claim. An NCB can slash your premium by up to 70% or more after five or more claim-free years.

Losing it can be financially devastating.

Consider this real-world scenario:

You are driving carefully in the middle lane of a motorway. A car in the left lane suddenly swerves into you without indicating, causing significant damage to your passenger side. The other driver pulls over and falsely claims you drifted into their lane.

• Without a Dashcam: It's your word against theirs. With no independent witnesses, the insurers may be forced to settle on a "50/50" or "split liability" basis. This means both drivers are deemed partially at fault. Your insurer pays for the other driver's repairs, and you lose your No-Claims Bonus. Your premium at renewal could skyrocket by 30-50% for the next few years.
• With a Dashcam: You simply download the video file. It clearly shows the other vehicle swerving into your lane without warning. You send this to your insurer. They accept it as conclusive proof, the other driver is held 100% liable, and their insurer covers all costs. Your No-Claims Bonus remains intact, and your premium is unaffected.

In this situation, the dashcam hasn't just saved you the cost of your excess; it has protected an asset (your NCB) worth hundreds of pounds every year for the foreseeable future.

Understanding UK Motor Insurance: The Legal Essentials

Before delving deeper into claims, it's crucial to understand your legal obligations as a UK driver. Under the Road Traffic Act 1988, it is a criminal offence to use, or permit others to use, a vehicle on a public road without at least third-party motor insurance.

Driving without valid insurance can lead to severe penalties, including a fixed penalty of £300, six penalty points on your licence, and potentially an unlimited fine, disqualification from driving, and even seizure of your vehicle.

There are three main levels of cover:

1. Third-Party Only (TPO)

• What it covers: This is the minimum legal requirement. It covers injury or damage you cause to other people (third parties), their vehicles, or their property.
• What it doesn't cover: It provides no cover for any damage to your own vehicle or for your own injuries.

2. Third-Party, Fire & Theft (TPFT)

• What it covers: Includes everything from TPO, plus cover for your vehicle if it's stolen or damaged by fire.
• What it doesn't cover: It does not cover damage to your own vehicle in an accident that was your fault.

3. Comprehensive

• What it covers: Provides the highest level of protection. It includes everything from TPFT, and crucially, it also covers damage to your own vehicle, even if the accident was your fault. It may also include cover for windscreens and personal belongings.
• Important Note: Counterintuitively, Comprehensive cover is often cheaper than TPO or TPFT. This is because insurers' data shows that drivers who opt for lower levels of cover are statistically a higher risk. Always get quotes for all three levels.

A Clear Comparison of Cover Levels

Business and Fleet Insurance: For businesses using vehicles (from a single van to a large fleet), standard private car insurance is not sufficient. You need a commercial or fleet policy that covers business use, goods in transit, and liability for employees. WeCovr specialises in helping businesses find the right level of fleet insurance, often with providers who value the risk-reduction data from dashcams and telematics.

The Step-by-Step Process for Using Dashcam Footage in a Claim

Having an accident is stressful. Knowing what to do with your dashcam footage can make the aftermath much smoother.

1. Stop Safely and Ensure Everyone is Okay: Your first priority is safety. Stop the car, turn on your hazard lights, and check for injuries. Call 999 if anyone is hurt or the road is blocked.
2. Do Not Apologise or Admit Fault: Even a simple "I'm sorry" can be misinterpreted as an admission of liability. Remain calm and polite.
3. Exchange Details: Swap names, addresses, phone numbers, and insurance details with the other driver(s). Note the make, model, and registration number of all vehicles involved.
4. Secure Your Footage: This is critical. Most dashcams record on a loop, meaning old footage is eventually overwritten. After an incident, ensure you save the relevant clip. Many cameras have a manual "event" button you can press, or a G-sensor that automatically locks the file upon impact. As soon as you can, download the footage to your phone or computer for safekeeping.
5. Inform Your Insurer: Contact your insurance provider as soon as is reasonably possible, even if you don't intend to make a claim. When you report the incident, state clearly that you have dashcam footage of the event.
6. Submit the Evidence: Your insurer will provide instructions on how to upload the video file to their claims portal or send it via a secure link. Do not post the footage on social media, as this could jeopardise your claim.
7. Let the Footage Do the Talking: Once submitted, the footage becomes the central piece of evidence. It allows claims handlers to quickly and accurately determine liability, speeding up the entire process and ensuring a fair outcome.

Operation Snap: Reporting Dangerous Driving to the Police

Your dashcam isn't just for insurance claims. Most police forces in the UK now run a scheme, often called 'Operation Snap', which allows the public to submit dashcam footage of dangerous or careless driving directly to them. This can include:

• Running red lights
• Dangerous overtaking
• Using a mobile phone while driving
• Driving without due care and attention

If the police deem the evidence sufficient, they can issue penalties ranging from a warning letter or a driver awareness course to fixed penalty notices and court prosecution. This helps make the roads safer for everyone.

Choosing the Right Dashcam: A UK Buyer's Guide

The market is flooded with options, but a few key features separate a good dashcam from a great one.

Installation: Most dashcams can be self-installed via the 12V socket (cigarette lighter). However, for a cleaner look and to enable parking mode, professional hardwiring into the car's fuse box is the best option. This is a relatively inexpensive service offered by most automotive retailers and garages.

Legal Placement: UK law dictates that a dashcam must not obstruct the driver's view of the road. It should be fitted within the area swept by the windscreen wipers but outside the main viewing area (Zone 'A'), which is a 290mm-wide band centred on the steering wheel. The best place is usually behind the rearview mirror.

Legal and Privacy Considerations for Dashcam Users

Using a dashcam in the UK is perfectly legal, but there are a few rules to be aware of.

• Informing Passengers: While you are generally not required to inform passengers they are being recorded, it is good practice, especially if the camera records audio inside the cabin.
• Data Protection (GDPR): As you are recording in a public space for personal use, GDPR regulations are less of a concern. However, you have a responsibility to handle the data securely. This is another reason not to share footage publicly on social media.
• Use in Commercial Vehicles: If you are a business owner (e.g., a taxi driver or fleet manager), you must inform both employees and customers that recording is in progress, usually with clear stickers on the vehicle. This is a key requirement under GDPR.
• Driving Abroad: If you drive to Europe, be aware that dashcam laws vary. Some countries, like Austria and Portugal, have strict prohibitions on their use. Always check the local laws for any country you plan to drive in.

Decoding Your Motor Insurance Policy: Key Terms Explained

Understanding your insurance documents can be tricky. Here’s a plain English guide to the key terms you’ll encounter:

• Premium: The amount you pay for your insurance policy, either annually or in monthly instalments.
• Excess: The amount of money you must contribute towards a claim. There are two types:
  • Compulsory Excess: A fixed amount set by the insurer that you cannot change.
  • Voluntary Excess: An additional amount you agree to pay. Choosing a higher voluntary excess can lower your premium, but make sure you can afford to pay both excesses if you need to claim.
• Optional Extras: Additional coverages you can add to your policy for an extra fee. Common examples include:
  • Legal Expenses Cover: Covers legal costs to help you recover uninsured losses from a third party, such as your excess, loss of earnings, or personal injury compensation. This is highly recommended.
  • Guaranteed Courtesy Car: Ensures you get a replacement vehicle while yours is being repaired after a claim. Standard policies may only provide a small car and only if yours is repaired at an approved garage.
  • Breakdown Cover: Assistance if your vehicle breaks down.

As expert brokers, the team at WeCovr can walk you through these options, helping you understand what you need and what you don't, ensuring you only pay for the cover that’s right for you. Our high customer satisfaction ratings reflect our commitment to clear, honest advice.

Beyond Dashcams: More Ways to Slash Your Motor Insurance Costs

A dashcam is a powerful tool, but it's just one part of a smart strategy to lower your motor insurance UK premiums.

1. Compare the Market: Never auto-renew. Insurers rarely offer their best prices to existing customers. Using an independent, FCA-authorised broker like WeCovr allows you to compare quotes from a wide range of providers in minutes, at no cost to you.
2. Pay Annually: Paying for your policy in one lump sum is almost always cheaper than spreading the cost over monthly instalments, which often include interest charges.
3. Adjust Your Voluntary Excess: As mentioned, increasing your voluntary excess can reduce your premium.
4. Build Your No-Claims Bonus: The longer you go without a claim, the bigger your discount. Consider protecting your NCB once you have four or more years built up.
5. Secure Your Vehicle: Insurers may offer small discounts for approved alarms, immobilisers, or tracking devices. Keeping your car in a garage or on a private driveway overnight also reduces risk.
6. Review Your Mileage: Be accurate with your estimated annual mileage. If you've started working from home and are driving less, inform your insurer as it could lead to a lower premium.
7. Choose Your Car Wisely: Vehicles are placed into one of 50 insurance groups. Cars in lower groups (e.g., a Ford Fiesta, VW Polo) are significantly cheaper to insure than those in higher groups (e.g., a Range Rover, Porsche 911).

WeCovr can also help you find savings on other types of insurance. Customers who purchase a motor or life insurance policy through us may be eligible for exclusive discounts on other products, like home or travel cover.

A dashcam is more than just a gadget; it's a vital investment in your financial security and on-road safety. By providing an indisputable record of events, it empowers you during the claims process, protects your hard-earned No-Claims Bonus, and helps you fight back against fraud.

Ready to see how much you could save on your motor insurance?

Let WeCovr do the hard work for you. As an FCA-authorised broker, we compare policies from a wide panel of leading UK insurers to find you the best cover at a competitive price.

Get your free, no-obligation motor insurance quote from WeCovr today and drive with confidence.