Insurance discounts start here: fleet dash cams
Insurance premiums? Rising. Accident risks? Rising. Fraud? Yep—also rising. But there’s a way to push back—and earn real insurance discounts—using dash cams’ simple, powerful eyes.
If you feel like your fleet insurance rates keep climbing, you’re not imagining things. In 2025, commercial auto premiums are rising fast, with year-over-year increases between 8% and 11%, depending on region and fleet size.
Why the surge? A perfect storm:
- More severe claims and inflated repair costs
- Medical bills and nuclear verdicts driving up litigation payouts
- Distracted driving and driver shortages raising risk exposure
Smaller and mid-sized fleets are getting hit hardest, facing sharp premium hikes that strain budgets and threaten margins. To keep costs under control, some fleets are even shifting to local routes or downsizing their vehicles. And with insurers tightening underwriting standards, many are paying more for less coverage.
Bottom line? Insurance costs aren’t going down anytime soon. The fleets that win will be the ones that invest in proactive risk management tools—starting with dash cams.
What is a dash cam—and why insurers love them.
Dash cams used to be a nice perk. Now they’re essential.
A dash cam is an onboard video device that records footage from the road ahead—and in some cases, inside the cab. But modern dash cams go way beyond basic recording. With AI-powered features, they can detect distracted driving, trigger real-time alerts, and automatically upload incidents to the cloud.
It’s not just about safety anymore. It’s about strategy.
Insurers know that fleets using video and telematics data are safer—and they’re rewarding that with lower insurance rates and even fleet insurance discounts. When you install dash cams, you’re showing a documented, data-backed safety program. That’s what gets you insurance premium reductions, claim advantages, and sometimes even installation support.
How dash cams lead to insurance discounts.
Insurance companies don’t just hand out discounts-they calculate them. And those calculations come down to one thing: risk.
Dash cams help you reduce that risk—plain and simple. They decrease preventable accidents, protect your drivers with solid evidence, and make the claims process easier. That’s why insurers are willing to offer real rewards—usually 5% to 20% off annual premiums—for fleets that include dash cams as part of a comprehensive safety plan. In many cases, these programs lead to fleet insurance discounts or insurance credits for dash cams.
The benefits stack up fast:
- Fewer incidents: Dash cams reduce preventable accidents by up to 30% in year one.
- Lower claims costs: Video evidence helps resolve claims faster and more accurately.
- Reduced litigation: Clear footage can shut down false liability claims before they start.
- Proof of safety: Telematics + video data shows you’re proactively managing risk, positioning your fleet for long-term insurance premium reductions.
These insurance cost savings are a big deal for small and mid-sized fleets—especially those navigating tighter margins. A 20-truck fleet could save thousands annually by just documenting what’s already happening on the road.
More than discounts: protection from every angle.
Insurance savings are just the beginning. Dash cams deliver daily value across your operations by helping you manage risk, defend your drivers, and avoid costly legal battles.
Here’s what the right dash cam system brings to the table:
1. Unbiased documentation
When incidents happen, video tells the truth. No conflicting witness statements. No gaps in the story. Just clear, timestamped footage you can rely on.
2. Faster claims resolution
Insurance providers can process claims faster with hard video evidence, saving your team time and cutting administrative costs.
3. Liability protection
If your driver wasn’t at fault, the footage proves it—helping you avoid damage to your reputation and claims history.
4. Defense against false claims
From staged accidents to exaggerated injuries, dash cam footage can shut down fraud before it costs you a dime. Organized crime rings have been caught running crash-for-cash scams that target commercial vehicles. Dash cams give you the evidence to stop these schemes cold—and in many cases, insurers reward fleets with a fraud prevention discount for proving they take risk seriously.
In one case, Zonar customer MasTec used dash cam footage to disprove 12 false claims, protecting drivers and saving serious legal costs.
5. Better visibility into driver behavior
Combined with driver scorecards, dash cams help identify risky habits early—so you can coach, correct, and improve safety before incidents occur.
Even if your insurer doesn’t offer a formal discount, the cost savings from fewer claims, quicker resolutions, and reduced litigation risk add up fast—especially for self-insured fleets managing their own exposure.
How to qualify for insurance discounts (and get the most from your dash cams).
Installing dash cams is just the first step. To unlock insurance discounts and long-term value, you need a smart rollout strategy, strong policy support, and ongoing engagement.
Here’s how to do it right:
1. Choose the right dash cam system
Look for high-definition, dual-facing cameras with real-time video upload and AI features like driver alerts and behavior tracking. Bonus points if it integrates directly with your fleet’s telematics system.
2. Develop a dash cam policy
Set clear guidelines around usage, privacy, and data access. Communicate expectations to your drivers from day one to build trust and ensure compliance.
3. Train—and engage—your drivers
Use footage to coach drivers, reinforce positive habits, and reward safe behavior. When drivers understand the why, they’re more likely to support the how.
4. Install professionally and strategically
Don’t cut corners on installation. Work with certified professionals to ensure cameras are optimally placed, calibrated, and synchronized with your telematics data.
5. Leverage footage to improve safety and support claims
Review and share footage regularly—especially in training and post-incident reviews. When appropriate, share data with your insurer to prove proactive risk management.
6. Talk to your insurance provider
Ask about available discounts and requirements. Some insurers may need specific certifications, approved vendors, or documentation of usage to apply discounts.
7. Monitor, review, repeat
Review dash cam data and trends regularly to stay ahead of emerging risks. The more your safety culture evolves, the better your position will be during renewals and rate negotiations.
Bottom line: don’t just record the road. Reduce your risk.
Insurance discounts are great. But the real win is safer drivers, fewer collisions, lower claims, and a fleet that insurers actually want to work with.
Dash cams aren’t just a nice-to-have anymore—they’re a strategic advantage. If your fleet isn’t capturing dash cam insurance savings yet, you’re leaving money—and safety—on the table. When paired with telematics and a strong safety program, they can reduce preventable accidents by up to 30%, slash claims costs, and unlock serious insurance savings.
Our intelligent dash cam solution delivers real-time driver feedback, dual-facing video, and AI-powered alerts—all integrated with the Zonar platform. With Zonar Coach™, you don’t just capture what happened—you change what happens next.
Ready to protect your fleet and lower your premiums? Contact us and let’s get you rolling.