Dash Cam Buying Guide: Do You Need One?
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A dash cam records the road in front of (and often behind) your car continuously, saving footage on a loop so you always have the last few minutes to hand. They're not compulsory anywhere in the UK or US, but insurers, courts and everyday drivers increasingly treat them as standard kit. Here is what actually matters when deciding whether to fit one and which to buy.
Why drivers fit a dash cam
The single biggest reason is evidence after a collision. Insurance claims involving a dash cam recording are settled faster and with fewer disputes, because there's no argument about who did what — the footage shows it. A growing number of UK insurers (including several major names) offer a small premium discount for a fitted dash cam, and some US states now accept dash cam footage as standard evidence in small-claims and traffic court.
Beyond collisions, a dash cam also protects against "crash for cash" insurance fraud, where a driver brakes sharply on purpose to force a rear-end collision and then claims for injuries that never happened. Front-and-rear dual cameras are the strongest protection here, since they capture what happens behind you as well as ahead.
What actually matters when choosing one
Resolution. 1080p is the practical minimum for reading a number plate clearly; 1440p or 4K captures more detail but produces much larger files, so make sure the cam supports a large enough microSD card (64GB+ is sensible for 1080p, 128GB+ for 4K).
Field of view. Wider isn't always better — too wide can distort and shrink a number plate until it's unreadable at a distance. 140–160° is the usual sweet spot for a single front camera.
Loop recording and parking mode. Loop recording overwrites the oldest footage automatically so the card never fills up; parking mode keeps recording (or starts on impact) while the car is parked and switched off, using a hardwired kit or a supercapacitor battery.
Front vs front-and-rear. A single front camera covers the most common collision type — nose-to-tail — but a rear camera adds real protection against fraudulent claims and reversing incidents, and is worth the extra cost on most cars.
Fitting it to your specific car
Every vehicle page on this site lists the body style, dimensions and windscreen-adjacent details that affect where a dash cam sits best — an estate or SUV with a larger, more upright windscreen generally has more room behind the mirror than a low, raked coupe windscreen. Wiring a hardwired kit into a fuse box varies by model, so check your specific vehicle's handbook (or a fitting guide for that model) before running cable through the trim.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is a dash cam legal in the UK?
Yes. Dash cams are legal throughout the UK provided they don't obstruct your view of the road — mount it behind the rear-view mirror, within the area cleared by the wipers.
Is a dash cam legal in every US state?
Dash cams are legal in all 50 states, though a small number of states restrict exactly where on the windscreen you can mount one. Check your state's windscreen-obstruction law if in doubt.
Does a dash cam lower my insurance premium?
Some UK insurers offer a discount, typically a few percent, for a fitted and continuously-recording dash cam. It varies by insurer, so check with yours directly.
Do I need a rear camera as well as a front one?
A front camera covers the most common collision type. A rear camera adds meaningful protection against reversing incidents and staged rear-end claims, and is worth adding if your budget allows.
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