Dash cam void insurance.

[Westy36]

I read this yesterday regarding hard wired dash cams. 

https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/askhj/answer/158074/why-did-my-dash-cam-void-my-insurance-?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Weekly%20Ask%20Honest%20John%20-%20Latest%20Questions&utm_content=Weekly%20Ask%20Honest%20John%20-%20Latest%20Questions+CID_f414b6f032b01909e8b60327bb00a52a&utm_source=campaign%20monitor&utm_term=Why%20did%20my%20dash%20cam%20void%20my%20insurance

I have mine plugged into the 12v socket, so no worries, but if yours is hard wired the advice might be useful.

[UKjim]

This is completely ridiculous, surely a trailing cable from a 12v accessory socket is more dangerous than a properly installed hidden cable?

Although dash cams in my cars are hardwired they can be just as easy be removed by disconnecting the cable from the camera and sliding the camera out of the bracket in about 5 seconds, so they are not 'permanent' fittings either.

Having just been involved in an accident on Friday, our insurance company requested a copy of our camera footage and no questions asked about how it was wired.


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[Johncb500]

When I renew insurance, or ask for a quote,
I get asked if there are any mods,

So I list different tyres to original,
Different bulbs
Different brake pads, wiper blades etc

I then ask how detailed they want to go?

They are just looking for a cop out



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[UKjim]

Replacements for worn out parts with same specification but different make are not mods they are simply maintenance and repair items. If that wasn't the case every single vehicle on the road except new cars would be modified.

Manufacturers use many different OEM suppliers for tyres, wiper blades, bulbs, shock absorbers, brake pads, batteries etc., so if you buy second hand you have no sure way of knowing what the original was.


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[Kremmen]

The thing is - there are insurance companies and there are insurance companies.

With a dashcam, it is common practice to follow the included instructions that show the wire going up the A pillar and across the inside of the headlining.

Then the UK's Nextbase sell a hardwire kit. Power sockets are often not optimally placed or are used for other things.

[richardfrost]

Would it be so hard to put a USB power socket above or behind the rear view mirror?

[UKjim]

Would it be so hard to put a USB power socket above or behind the rear view mirror?

I think some car makers are starting to do that but some cameras use 5v USB Mini or Micro like the one in my Jazz but the cam in the other car uses a 12v mini jack plug.

[ColinB]

Would it be so hard to put a USB power socket above or behind the rear view mirror?

Would it be so hard to extract a video feed from the camera that's already fitted in that location on many cars to create a built-in dashcam? All the hardware's there already (on the Jazz): camera, power, data cabling, video can be displayed on the big screen (when stationary) and stored on a USB stick. Can't be beyond the wit of man to engineer that at minimal cost.

[John Ratsey]

Would it be so hard to extract a video feed from the camera that's already fitted in that location on many cars to create a built-in dashcam? All the hardware's there already (on the Jazz): camera, power, data cabling, video can be displayed on the big screen (when stationary) and stored on a USB stick. Can't be beyond the wit of man to engineer that at minimal cost.

I also wonder why this hasn't happened. The only extra hardward that's needed is a memory card slot plus an option in the software to do the recording. Those who don't want to keep a record of their movements don't select the option.

[Beaver]

I've been shot down in flames on a couple of forums for mentioning the possibility of invalidating vehicle insurance by having a camera hard-wired to the vehicle - even by a qualified professional.

I think, as I've said before, that an owner would be well advised to check with their insurer before having anything hard-wired.   I haven't been with an insurer yet, who will not penalise me financially for modifying my vehicle.

[richardfrost]

Would it be so hard to put a USB power socket above or behind the rear view mirror?

Would it be so hard to extract a video feed from the camera that's already fitted in that location on many cars to create a built-in dashcam? All the hardware's there already (on the Jazz): camera, power, data cabling, video can be displayed on the big screen (when stationary) and stored on a USB stick. Can't be beyond the wit of man to engineer that at minimal cost.

Well I think that maybe because the camera that is looking at road signs and road markings and whatnot is most likely optimised to see those things, perhaps using extreme contrast settings, and the feed will be combined with the LIDAR images too, so not a regular video as you would get from a dashcam. To use the same camera sensor, lenses and data feed would almost certainly require extra processing and storage options. I’m sure it could be done and provided as an option. But providing a power socket would be really easy.

[Kremmen]

On some newer 4k or QuadHD dashcams, USB often doesn't supply enough power. DashCamTalk forum has many posts with issues where an owner has switched from USB adapter to the included power plug or hardwire kit = problem solved.

Another HonestJohn reply that basically says change insurance companies:

https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/askhj/answer/92728/why-did-a-hardwired-dash-camera-void-my-insurance-policy-


One of the questions on the LV= form was 'do you have a dashcam', I said yes.

[Westy36]

I think an insurer would have a tough time repudiating a claim for a hard wired dash cam. However, I wouldn't want to leave it until a post claim situation to find out for sure. Disclosure is the best policy.

[Kremmen]

Since my last post I've been in contact with an insurance broker friend.

He was amazed and has checked with a few of his underwriters he uses and none of them have ever heard of this.

His text was:

ha ha ha what a load of ***. Any insurer that says that is to be avoided. It's a safety feature that does not alter the vehicle in any way apart from having its very low voltage power supply directly to the battery.

This is another case of some young pup at a direct insurer not having any knowledge or common sense and just over reacting.

We have never heard of this at all.

Then after double checking:

"It sounds like you're dealing with numpties. The dash cam, regardless of whether it's hardwired or not, should not invalidate a policy. The word "hardwired" is what is causing the issue. They see this as a permanent modification. It isn't, as all it is doing is providing another external power feed to the camera. The camera can and should be able to be removed, as it is generally stuck to the windscreen. As such, it isn't a permanent modification."

[UKjim]

Since my last post I've been in contact with an insurance broker friend.

He was amazed and has checked with a few of his underwriters he uses and none of them have ever heard of this.

His text was:

ha ha ha what a load of ***. Any insurer that says that is to be avoided. It's a safety feature that does not alter the vehicle in any way apart from having its very low voltage power supply directly to the battery.

This is another case of some young pup at a direct insurer not having any knowledge or common sense and just over reacting.

We have never heard of this at all.

Then after double checking:

"It sounds like you're dealing with numpties. The dash cam, regardless of whether it's hardwired or not, should not invalidate a policy. The word "hardwired" is what is causing the issue. They see this as a permanent modification. It isn't, as all it is doing is providing another external power feed to the camera. The camera can and should be able to be removed, as it is generally stuck to the windscreen. As such, it isn't a permanent modification."

Some common sense, which appears to be sadly lacking these days.