Warning to anyone with a dashcam as little-known mistake can invalidate insurance

Motorist with a dash cam fitted into their car may accidentally be doing more harm than good to their insurance.

According to the RAC, around 2.9 million people in the UK currently have the handy security device fitted into their vehicle. Due to the added protection dash cams bring from risks such as fraudulent claims and thefts, some insurance providers may offer lower policy premiums for motorists who have one fitted.

However, Graham Conway, Managing Director at Select Van Leasing, has warned that in some cases, you may actually invalidate your claim with a dash cam. This is due to the fact that some dash cams are hard-wired to the vehicle's battery so they're always one.

Read more: Parents warned as popular baby car seat recalled over safety fears

He explains: “It’s frustrating to think that doing something proactive to protect yourself from a claim, or even theft, might come back to bite you, but motorists need to be aware of the legalities concerning dash cams.

“Some of the more expensive dash cams on the market are wired directly to the car’s battery, rather than simply plugging-in to a socket in the vehicle’s cabin.

“Being hard-wired means the dash cam offers added protection and can remain switched on, even when the engine isn’t running, so that it continues to record after the owner has vacated the driver’s seat.

“While a plug-in dash cam is considered a simple accessory in the eyes of most insurers, a hard-wired dash cam is deemed to be a ‘modification’ to your vehicle, and you need to notify your insurer that you’ve got one fitted.

“If you don’t, and the worst does ultimately happen, you might not be covered against a claim - even though you could have clear evidence to prove any wrongdoing.”

Louise Thomas, motor expert at Confused.com comments: "Dash cams are a great security gadget for any cars, often used to deter car thieves or to capture video evidence to assist with insurance claims or crimes. Some dash cams can be plugged in to your car, such as through a USB port. But some have to be wired in to the car itself, and this is where drivers might feel confused when it comes to their car insurance.

"If the dash cam has been wired in, then it's classed as a car modification and needs to be declared to your insurer. This is because some elements of the car have been changed, and your insurer needs to know if your car has been altered in any way.

"Not all car modifications mean the price of your car insurance will increase. In fact, security features could help to keep costs down. But not telling your insurer about your alterations could invalidate your policy, causing issues for you in the long run if you were to ever make a claim."