Does a removable Dashcam count as a modification?

Sunblind_Duck

I have a Prestigio dashcam which I put in my car whenever I go out in it. The camera plugs into the cigarette lighter socket, and is never left in the vehicle when it is unattended. As it is not a permanent fixture, would the insurance company regard this as a vehicle modification? I know some companies offer a discount if you have a camera installed, but I don't want to go along that road. Your suggestions appreciated. Thanks in advance.

forgotmyname

Going to be a lot of people with insurance issues if it is.

chris_m

Sunblind_Duck wrote: »

I have a Prestigio dashcam which I put in my car whenever I go out in it. The camera plugs into the cigarette lighter socket, and is never left in the vehicle when it is unattended. As it is not a permanent fixture, would the insurance company regard this as a vehicle modification?

I'd be very surprised if it was counted as a mod. If it were to be, so would any other portable device plugged into the [STRIKE]fag lighter[/STRIKE] aux power socket - sat navs, phones, DVD players for the kids in the back, etc., etc.
If it were hard-wired then it could well be considered a mod, though.

ariba10

With insurance most thing don't matter until you try making a claim!

Pincher

An interesting scenario is if you do produce the cam footage, would the insurance company turn round and bite you in the butt by asking why didn't you declare it as a modification.


They could even say the dash cam obstructed your view whilst driving, if they were really desperate to deny claim.


If it was standard car manufacturer equipment, then they have no excuses to deny claim. This time round, I bought it as a dealer fitted option, so it's on the original invoice.


I find it does not reduce the premium. Who knows, it could even make the insurance company think you live in a bad neighbourhood, if you are so pro-active about it.

System

ariba10 wrote: »

With insurance most thing don't matter until you try making a claim!

Early Landrovers didn't have door locks. Fitting them as later modifications would probably put the premium up

chris_m

Come on, early LRs didn't have much at all bar the body and running gear

oscarward

neighbour round the corner has a S reg defender and an 11 plate Discovery. Guess which one is chained to a post to stop being nicked.

molerat

Clifford_Pope wrote: »

Early Landrovers didn't have door locks. Fitting them as later modifications would probably put the premium up

Lucky if they had doors

molerat

Pincher wrote: »

An interesting scenario is if you do produce the cam footage, would the insurance company turn round and bite you in the butt by asking why didn't you declare it as a modification.


They could even say the dash cam obstructed your view whilst driving, if they were really desperate to deny claim.


If it was standard car manufacturer equipment, then they have no excuses to deny claim. This time round, I bought it as a dealer fitted option, so it's on the original invoice.


I find it does not reduce the premium. Who knows, it could even make the insurance company think you live in a bad neighbourhood, if you are so pro-active about it.

Legally they must not intrude by more than 10mm into the primary or 40mm into the secondary swept areas so if not correctly fitted the insurers could have some wiggle room.

Pincher

molerat wrote: »

Legally they must not intrude by more than 10mm into the primary or 40mm into the secondary swept areas so if not correctly fitted the insurers could have some wiggle room.

Some of these minicabs have multiple devices stuck on with suckers. Not only do they reduce the visible screen area, it's a major distraction, too. A dash cam does not need to be visible at all. All you need is to be able to swap out the SD card, or just transfer wirelessly.


Lots of cars have built-in infotainment systems these days, with a screen that could act as Sat-Nav etc. Effectively, they just have to add a webcam, with decent resolution. Preferably behind the rear view mirror.