Dash cams have long been used in many nations worldwide but have recently gained traction in Western countries. This is because the advantages of installing one are so numerous that it doesn’t make sense not to. Moreover, with a flood of high-quality cameras hitting the market at increasingly affordable prices and a plethora of installation services popping up all over the place, it has become more accessible than ever to enhance your safety and accountability when on the road.
This article will discuss a few of the main reasons to invest in one and hopefully sway you to take the plunge if you’ve been sitting on the fence.
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They Are Straightforward To Install
Although not exactly the top reason for choosing to get one of these devices, the fact that they are relatively straightforward to install is a definite plus. In most cases, you can simply purchase a kit off the shelf, read the instructions, and away you go. However, while you can do it alone, it still requires a particular set of tools and a basic understanding of electronics and cars.
Consequently, if you aren’t comfortable rummaging under the hood, you might find using a dedicated dash cam installation service easier. You can find these services in almost all major cities worldwide; whether you’re searching for a dash cam installation service in Melbourne, New York, or London, you are very likely to find one that does what it says on the tin and often at a very affordable price. So if you’ve been mulling over if the effort is worth it, rest assured that you have plenty of choices regardless of whether you go the professional or DUY route.
Protect Yourself Against Insurance Fraud Or False Claims
You have probably seen videos on YouTube, Facebook, or Tik Tok of vehicles in certain countries coming up against folks who are trying to game the system to gain easy money. The videos usually go along the lines of a random person jumping in front of the vehicle in order to claim compensation. Without a dash cam, these incidents can be tricky to prove otherwise (even if there are other vehicles on the road).
Your insurance company will often simply pay out to avoid long-winded litigation. However, it can affect your no-claims bonus and is a general nuisance. Moreover, these incidents are no longer limited to a few countries but have spread to most countries, even those considered more developed. A dash cam enables you to fight this and a wide range of other fraudulent driving-related activities, saving you time, money, and a nasty headache.
Capture Unexpected Events Or Accidents On The Road
When you drive, your focus is (or at least should be) on the road. This means you can miss many interesting and exciting things that can happen along your route. A high-quality dash cam should have the ability to record constantly, allowing you to capture all of the crazy things that can happen, from a wild animal emerging from the wilderness to a peculiar-looking “weather balloon” floating around the sky!
Provide Evidence In Court If Needed
By their very nature, personal injury and auto attorneys are a litigious bunch. In days gone by, you used to have to pull out all the stops to prove your innocence in tort cases, but as more and more people begin to fit this device into their cars, it has become much easier to defend yourself against unwarranted lawsuits.
It is perhaps the best evidence you can have to protect yourself against a claim that is made against you. For example, if a truck backs into you and blames you or a cyclist smashes into your head first while on their phone, you will have video evidence to protect yourself and possibly even file a counter-claim if you incurred damage.
Record Your Scenic Road Trips Or Drives
Unless you are happy with making your wallet sad and paying a fortune for a GoPro or similar, you will find that a dash cam usually offers a decent enough video that you can rewind and observe an epic reload trip with friends. While they aren’t primarily designed for this purpose, the best options should have the ability to record in 4K or at least 1080 and at high frame rates.
Improve Your Driving Skills By Reviewing Your Footage
This is another unorthodox use for your dash cam, but one that is highly valuable and often overlooked. If you are learning to drive or simply feel that you could do with a refresher, looking back at the footage could provide you with some ideas for improvement.
The footage can be invaluable as it offers you a point of view perspective that is not common with other forms of camera. Moreover, you can use it as a teaching aid if you capture other drivers misbehaving and show it to someone learning. This can teach them about what they might expect to see and tips on evasive action if they come up against reckless drivers.
Document Road Hazards
If your dash cam features GPS and records potion along with video, you can use it to document road hazards and inform your local authority. This could include landslides where the road has become unusable to potholes that look like they will become a nuisance to other road users if left unrepaired.
Keep A Record Of Your Commute For Work Or Business Purposes
If you are self-employed or are reimbursed for travel by your company, you can use dash cam footage as proof of your vehicle use. In most cases, the video will be time and date stamped, helping to avoid any ambiguity regarding travel. You can use this data to deduct work expenses from your tax bill or claim back cash you spend on fuel when traveling for work.
Relax And Drive With Peace Of Mind Knowing You Have An Extra Set Of Eyes On The Road
As you have read throughout this post, the main advantage of these devices is the peace of mind they offer. As such, you can rest assured that whatever incidents might occur on or off the road, you will have evidence to help you prove your innocence or make a claim against another party so that you are not left out of pocket.
Dash cams have multiple uses, from the benign, like documenting a road trip, to the more serious, like protecting you from fraud. Moreover, they can be easily attached to your car and come in many models suitable for almost any budget.
