The Pros & Cons of Dash Cameras: Should You Get A Dash Cam?

dash cam disadvantages Dash cams have been growing in popularity in recent years as the technology has become more affordable and the evidence they provide can be a key factor when it comes to insurance claims or crimes ranging from break-ins to things that happen outside of the vehicle. The question of whether or not you should invest in a dash camera yourself is ultimately up to you, but as you’ll see, there are some obvious benefits without any true drawbacks.

Different Types of Vehicle Cameras

There are a couple different types of vehicle cameras, not just in terms of how the memory is stored, but also how they are activated, and how the footage is stored. If you want to keep things simple, you can have a front-facing camera that only records what happens in front of the vehicle. If, however, you want full coverage, particularly for accidents, you may want a front and rear-facing camera to cover all the angles of possible impact.

As far as when the dash cam is recording, they usually start when you turn the car on and go off when you turn the car off. This provides coverage for the entirety of any trip you take, from beginning to end. What it doesn’t do, however, is record when you’re not in the vehicle with it turned on, so you won’t have footage of someone attempting to break into your car or vandalizing it. With that said, there are some cameras that will record even when you’re not physically in them, including around the clock recording. Many dash cams come equipped with motion and impact detection security, which means they can start recording if any activity is picked up around the vehicle.

The other main difference between dash cams is how the video is stored. Some dash cams store the information locally using a memory card, whereas others are network connected and saved directly to the cloud. Cloud storage is generally a preferred option since there is less limitation based on the amount of footage that needs to be stored, as well as the fact that the video is more quickly and easily accessed. With an SD storage card, for example, you will often need to plug it into another device in order to view it.

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Theft, Vandalism, & Break-in Deterrent

One advantage of having a dash cam is that it can act as a crime deterrent. For example, if someone is considering breaking into your car, or vandalizing it, the presence of a camera will likely make them think twice about it if they know they’re being surveilled and recorded. For this to work to maximum effect, of course, the camera will need to be physically viewable, or you could put some kind of warning sticker on the outside of the car to ward off any potential criminal activity. If something does happen, and you have a camera that detects motion and impact, you’ll have some evidence on your side.

Evidence If You’re In An Accident

The biggest advantage of a dash cam is that it provides some evidence if you’re in an accident, not just with other vehicles, but accidents that are caused by pedestrians, poor signage, or even personal property. Without video evidence, cases like this often come down to one person’s word against another’s, which can make the addition of a dash camera invaluable should you find yourself in such a situation.

Drawbacks of Having A Dash Cam

There really aren’t any true drawbacks to having a dash camera, unless you count the investment you’ll need to make to get one. Installation is very simple and many dash cams are very affordable, so there’s not a lot of downside from a financial perspective. If there is anything that can be considered somewhat of a “con” it’s that a dash camera will not lower your insurance premium. While it provides some protection from a legal standpoint, simply having a dash cam doesn’t necessarily make you a safer driver, so you should expect any price break from your insurance carrier.