HALFORDS DEVELOPS ‘DASH-CAM’ RANGE IN RESPONSE TO MOTORISTS CONCERNS OVER CRASH FOR CASH CLAIMS
Halfords is introducing new in-car cameras designed to film vehicle journeys and capture events before, during and after a collision to help drivers resolve insurance claims.
The devices - known as ‘dash-cams’ - record the view through the windscreen in real time and are becoming increasingly popular among motorists who want to protect themselves against fraudsters.
Halfords in-car technology manager Alec James said: “Following an incident people are often reluctant to admit guilt and risk losing their no claims discount*. In addition, the surge in fraudulent so-called ‘crash for cash’ claims is causing genuine concern among innocent drivers.
“The range of recording devices we now offer means that we can provide drivers with the means to produce evidence of how an incident occurred and who is at fault should the need arise.”
As well as combating ‘crash for cash’ claims - when fraudsters deliberately brake in order to cause an innocent motorist to collide with their car, or invent extra passengers who were supposedly injured in a crash - in-car cameras can be used to defend accusations of lane-hogging or tailgating on motorways, which supported by fixed penalty legislation which came into force in August.
Alec James added: “Our range includes a solution to suit most budgets - making the technology that has been widely used by the emergency services for many years accessible to all motorists.
“They represent great value for money, capture high-quality digital footage - which is essential for insurers - and offer a range of useful additional features to suit drivers’ needs.”
The new in-car cameras are available in Halfords stores as well as www.halfords.com from today.
New in-car cameras available at Halfords:
Nextbase 202 Lite (£69.99)
- 1.3M CMOS sensor
- 2.7” (6.85cm) display (16:9 LED)
- 1280 x 720 pixel screen & high quality playback
- 120o wide angle camera
- Video format: AVI
- Built in microphone records sound inside and outside the vehicle
- 12V cable supplied, plus rechargeable Lithium polymer battery provides 10 minute back-up recording when detached from vehicle
- Supports up to 32GB SD card (supplied separately)
Nextbase 302G Deluxe (£99.99)
- All the key features of the 202 Lite plus:
- 1440 x 1080 pixel screen & High Definition playback
- 3-Axis G-sensor records impact direction, turns and acceleration
- GPS logging to track your journey and review incident locations online using software provided
- Infra-red night vision to enhance filming in low light conditions
Next base 402G Professional (£149.99)
- All the key features of the 302G Deluxe Lite plus:
- 3.0M CMOS sensor
- 1920 x 1080 pixel screen &full HD playback via HDMI output
- 6G glass lenses for very clearest reording
- Chipset – very latest HD light-sensitive chip with WDR (wide dynamic range) technology for clear images in bright/dark conditions
- Video format: MOV
- Supports up to 32GB Micro SD card (supplied separately)
Ends
Stuart Humphreys, Halfords Automotive PR Manager, T: 01527 513410, M: 07738 751930, E: stuart.humphreys@halfords.co.uk
Editor’s Notes:
*Moneysupermarket found that motorists making a claim on their insurance policy with an 'unprotected' no claims bonus sees the cost of their premium increase by 37 per cent. A driver with five years’ no claims bonus would typically lose two years of it following a claim and see premiums rise on average from £349 to £479.
Halfords Group plc
The Group is the UK's leading retailer of automotive, leisure and cycling products and through Halfords Autocentres also one of the UK's leading independent car servicing and repair operator. Halfords customers shop at over 460 stores in the UK and Republic of Ireland and at halfords.com for pick-up at their local store or direct home delivery. Halfords Autocentres operates from around 300 sites nationally and offers motorists dealership-quality MOTs, repairs and car servicing at affordable prices.
The Halfords group strategy is based on three pillars:
· Supporting Drivers Of Every Car
· Inspiring Cyclists Of Every Age
· Equipping Families For Their Leisure Time
The Getting into Gear 2016 plan for the Retail business is based on executing in five key areas in order to deliver a significantly-enhanced customer experience:
· Service Revolution
· The H Factor
· Stores Fit To Shop
· 21stCentury Infrastructure
· Click With The Digital Future
Halfords employs approximately 12,000 colleagues and sells around 10,000 product lines in stores, increasing to around 30,000 lines online. The product offering encompasses significant ranges in car parts, cycling, in-car technology, child seats, roof boxes, outdoor leisure and camping equipment. Halfords own brands include Apollo and Carrera cycles, augmented by exclusive UK distribution rights for the premium-ranged Boardman cycles and accessories. In outdoor leisure, we sell a premium range of camping equipment including brands such as Gelert and Outwell. Halfords offers customers expert advice and a fitting service called "wefit" for car parts, child seats, satellite navigation and in-car entertainment systems, and a "werepair" service for cycles.
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