Dash cam dash: Why 1 in 5 Aussie drivers are now recording their commute

New research has found more Australian drivers are taking precautions on the road beyond picking out a car insurance policy - they’re also keeping a dash cam inside their car. 

In the study from insurance company Allianz earlier this month, a staggering 83% of dash cam owners said they bought the device to support potential car insurance claims. 

This way of recording evidence has only gotten more popular with time - Allianz data shows the number of customers using their own dash cam footage for insurance claims has skyrocketed by 92% in the last two years. 

In the past 12 months, over half of all respondents said they had purchased a dash cam, while 1 in 5 are now recording their daily commutes. 

The report also revealed 1 in 3 Aussie drivers have used dash cam footage to prove their innocence on the road after being wrongly blamed. Another 49% said they would also use that footage to report reckless driving or any incidents that took place while their car was parked. 

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According to Mozo Director, Kirsty Lamont, dash cams could be a real money saver if you’re involved in an accident and you’re not at fault. 

“Dash cam footage could help to prove which driver is responsible for an accident and who has to pay for the repairs,” Lamont said.

“If by having a dash cam you can protect your no claims bonus and keep your ongoing insurance premiums low, then a dash cam is money well spent.”

Traps to watch out for when using your dash cam 

Here are a few things to keep in mind if you’ve purchased a dash cam to back any car insurance claims you might make down the track: 

• Not all cams capture a 360 degree view, so position the device correctly inside your car to get the footage angle you’re after.
• Most insurers will have file size limits for video footage so if the video file is large in size, you’ll need to break it down into smaller files.
• Video evidence isn’t enough - you’ll also need to provide your car insurer with the other driver’s details. Tip: take a photo of their drivers licence. 
• Bear in mind that the dash cam could capture anything you’ve done wrong as well, so remember to always drive safely and make wise decisions on the road.

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