Budgeting: Is a dashcam worth it? Cost, insurance and what it records
Is a dashcam worth it? For many drivers it is, since footage can settle who was at fault in an accident and protect your no-claims record, and in a worked example a dashcam costs about 30 a year over three years.
By Wealtie Team · 3 min read
Key takeaways
- A dashcam can be worth it to settle disputes and protect your no-claims record.
- In a worked example, it costs about 30 a year over three years.
- Some insurers offer small discounts, but the main value is evidence.
- Check local rules on recording and where you mount it.
Is a dashcam worth it?
For many drivers, yes. A dashcam is a small camera mounted on your windscreen that records the road while you drive. If you're involved in an accident, the footage can show what happened, which can help settle who was at fault. That can protect your no-claims discount and stop a dispute dragging on. Some dashcams also record while the car is parked, which can help if someone damages your car and drives off.
Dashcams are cheap compared with most car costs. In a worked example, a front and rear dashcam with a memory card costs about 90, or about 30 a year over three years.
The value is mostly in the rare moment you need it. Most drivers never need their footage, but the one time they do, it can save far more than the camera cost. In that sense, a dashcam works a little like insurance: a small, steady cost for protection against a bigger one.
Some drivers also find a dashcam makes them drive more carefully, knowing their own driving is on record too. Others use it to capture scenic drives or record their journeys. These are nice extras, but the main reason to buy one is evidence. If you only drive occasionally and short distances, the chance of needing it is lower, though the cost is low enough that many people still think it's worthwhile.
What does a dashcam cost?
Here's a worked example over three years, in round numbers that work in any currency:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Front and rear dashcam | 70 |
| Memory card | 15 |
| Fitting and wiring | 5 |
| Total | 90 |
Front-only cameras cost less. Models with higher resolution, wider views, GPS, parking mode and phone apps cost more. Professional hardwiring for parking mode adds to the cost if you don't fit it yourself.
How can a dashcam save money?
Settling claims
Clear footage can show the other driver was at fault, so their insurer pays and your no-claims discount stays intact. Without evidence, disputes can end with both sides sharing the blame.
Insurance discounts
Some insurers offer a small discount for drivers with dashcams, though many don't. Ask your insurer, but don't buy one only for a discount. How to save money on car insurance covers other ways to cut your premium.
Parking incidents
A dashcam with parking mode can record someone bumping your car in a car park, which can help you claim from them rather than paying for repairs yourself.
Protection against scams
In some places, staged accidents and false claims happen. Footage helps protect you by showing exactly what happened, rather than relying on your word against someone else's.
What should you look for in a dashcam?
Good video quality, especially at night, so number plates are readable. Reviews with sample footage show how a camera performs in real conditions, which matters more than the numbers on the box. A wide field of view. Loop recording, which records over old footage automatically, and an impact sensor that saves clips when it detects a bump. A front and rear camera if you want to record vehicles behind you. A reliable memory card designed for constant recording. Parking mode if you often park on the street.
Are there rules about dashcams?
Rules vary by country. Some places limit where you can mount a camera so it doesn't block your view, and some have privacy rules about recording people or sharing footage. Check the rules where you drive, and mount the camera behind the rear-view mirror so it doesn't block your sight of the road.
How do you get the most from a dashcam?
Check now and then that it's recording and the card isn't full or faulty. Know how to save and download footage quickly after an incident. Keep the camera and windscreen clean, since a dirty screen can make footage too blurry to read a number plate. Replace the memory card every year or two, since constant recording wears them out. How to save money on electronics has tips on buying, and cost per use shows why a cheap device used every day is good value. If something does happen, a car repair fund covers any costs while claims are sorted, and how much car can I afford? covers the full running cost of a car.
How do you track car costs in Wealtie?
Keep car purchases in a car category among your expense categories, and set a budget for it, so extras like a dashcam fit into your plan.
Questions people ask
For many drivers, yes. Footage can settle disputes after an accident and protect your no-claims record. In a worked example, it costs about 30 a year over three years.
Some insurers offer a small discount, but many don't. The main value is evidence after an accident.
Good night video quality, a wide view, loop recording, an impact sensor and a reliable memory card.
In many places, yes, but rules on mounting and privacy vary. Check the rules where you drive.
This article is general information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Your situation is your own; check the numbers that apply to you before you act on them.
