Dash Cams 101: Why More UK Drivers Are Installing Them

Dash cams have gone from niche gadget to near-standard kit for UK drivers, and insurers have noticed – footage from a dash cam can speed up a claim considerably after a collision that isn’t your fault.

A basic front-facing camera covers most needs: continuous loop recording, a G-sensor that locks footage automatically in a sudden stop, and enough storage to hold a few days of driving before it overwrites itself.

Rear-facing and dual-channel cams add coverage for rear-end shunts, which are common in stop-start traffic and notoriously hard to argue without evidence. Parking mode, which keeps recording (or motion-triggers) while the car is stationary, is worth having if you park on the street.

Installation is usually just a suction or adhesive mount behind the rear-view mirror and a cable tucked along the windscreen pillar – no wiring into the car’s electrics required for most models.

Whatever you choose, format the memory card regularly and check the footage saves properly. A dash cam that isn’t actually recording is worse than no dash cam at all, since you stop double-checking your mirrors as carefully.