A dash cam will not stop an accident happening, but it removes most of the argument afterwards. When liability is clear, repairs get booked sooner and you spend less time chasing people.
Why footage matters so much
Liability is decided on evidence. Without footage, insurers weigh two accounts of the same event, and a straightforward non-fault claim can drift into a split liability discussion.
Video usually shows road position, speed, signalling and the moment of impact. That is often enough for the other insurer to accept fault quickly.
↑ Back to contentsWhat to look for in a camera
Resolution matters less than people think. Being able to read a number plate at night matters far more.
- 1440p or better, with good low-light performance
- Front and rear coverage if you can, since rear-end shunts are common
- Parking mode, which records impacts while you are away from the vehicle
- A high-endurance memory card, replaced roughly every year
How to save a clip properly
Dash cams overwrite old footage in a loop, so a clip you do not protect can disappear within days.
- Press the lock or protect button at the scene if it is safe
- Remove the card when you get home and copy the file to a computer or cloud folder
- Keep the original file untouched, and share copies rather than edits
- Note the date and time, and check the camera clock is accurate
The limits of dash cam evidence
Footage is one piece of the picture. Photographs of the scene, witness details and the position of the vehicles still matter, especially where the impact happens outside the camera view.
↑ Back to contentsFrequently asked questions
The insurance questions drivers ask us most
Straight answers on premiums, excess, write-offs and replacement vehicles, written by our Bristol repair team.
- Non-fault accident: what it means and what to do (UK guide)A plain-English UK guide to non-fault accidents: how liability is decided, your repair and replacement vehicle options, and the mistakes that cost drivers money.
- What to do after a car accident that wasn’t your faultThe exact steps to take at the scene, in the first 24 hours and in the first week after someone else hits your car in the UK.
- Will a non-fault accident affect my insurance? (UK)How a non-fault claim can show on your record, what happens to your premium and what to check with your insurer.
- Do I have to pay my insurance excess?When an excess applies after a non-fault accident, and the practical routes that can avoid paying one up front.
Your next steps
Based on what you have just read, these are the pages most drivers go to next.
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SAR Group is a repair-led accident support and bodyshop business, and your first point of contact after a non-fault accident. We are not an FCA-authorised claims management company: every non-fault case is handled through our authorised and regulated partner network.