A Dash Cam Could Be Your Best Defense on the Road (And Save Your Insurance Rate)
Imagine: You’re out on a nice drive when you turn a corner and someone, busy doing a livestream instead of driving, merges without looking, smashing into your car. Vexing, but no worries; you get out to assess the damage and exchange insurance information.
The only problem is the other driver has a different story of the events. They claim you cut them off. Several witnesses come forward, some siding with you, others siding with the other driver. While cops and insurance adjusters will investigate the scene to determine the cause, sometimes you could do nothing wrong and still be found at fault.
This can have significant financial ramifications. First, it could raise your car insurance rates. It could also cost you money out of pocket if the damages a judge awards the other driver exceed your insurance coverage. This is where a dash cam can level the playing field.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more – straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice – straight to your e-mail.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Dash cams provide video recordings of events as they happen. Using the above example, it would capture the other driver running into you while livestreaming. This provides concrete evidence to police and insurance adjusters when they determine who was responsible.
In turn, it could prevent you from incurring rising insurance costs for something that wasn’t your fault. You also wouldn’t have to worry about being liable for other damages the court could have awarded without the evidence.
So, with this in mind, what are some factors you should consider when choosing a dash cam? Here are the most important:
- Video quality: Find cameras that offer 1080p resolution and a wide field of view to ensure they capture license plates and your surroundings.
- Night vision: With some accidents occurring in low-light conditions, prioritize a model with high-quality sensors (like STARVIS) to keep your recordings clear.
- Smart features: Seek out dash cams with loop recording, which prevents storage issues. Also, look for units with G-force sensors, as they lock footage during a collision.
- Driving behaviors: If you plan to drive often at night or through inclement weather, look for dash cams that offer thermal imaging and alerts, as they can detect wildlife and other road hazards.
Top dash cam options to consider
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Now that you know what technical specs to prioritize, let’s look at some of the most reliable models currently on the market to help you make your final choice:
|
Dash Cam Model |
Key Features |
Best For: |
|
Thermal dash cam, records front/rear/cabin, spots wildlife and other road hazards |
Night drivers and extreme weather |
|
|
4K resolution, 360-degree footage, collision sensor, night vision |
Broader road views and capturing in-car activity |
|
|
1080P, loop recording, parking sensor, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, four infrared LED lights |
Budget-conscious drivers |
If you choose a dash cam with SD card storage, check it periodically to ensure that it has not become corrupted. You can do this by removing the card from the cam and plugging it into your computer to view files.
Don’t forget to do this before installing
Before you install your dash cam, it’s ideal to check your state and local laws to ensure that where you place it is compliant.
Here are two areas of emphasis:
- Windshield obstruction: Some states have rules about where you can mount a camera in your car to prevent obstruction of the driver’s view. In Ohio, you cannot install a dash cam on a windshield.
- Audio recording: Your state might have restrictions on recording other passengers without their knowledge. You can address this by asking each passenger’s permission before they enter your car.
Ultimately, a dash cam isn’t just about managing insurance claims; it’s about having peace of mind so you can focus on the road ahead. In turn, it can protect you from financial ramifications, such as higher insurance bills and out-of-pocket settlements from judgments in accidents you didn’t cause.
