Pros and Cons of Having a Dash Cam

November 8th, 2020 by Fix Auto USA

Once the province of law enforcement and truck drivers, dash cams are now readily available to the consumer market at affordable prices. But are dash cams worth it? That is a call only you can make. We’ll share some of the advantages that dash cams can bring, as well as any disadvantages that you should know. Then the decision’s yours.

But before we do, let’s take a step back and make sure we’re all on the same page. What is a dash cam, what is its purpose, and how does a dash cam work?

A dashboard camera, or dash cam, is a small digital video camera and recorder that drivers may install in their car. It continuously captures and records the view of the road seen through your car’s front, side, or rear window. There are numerous dash cam models on the market, including models that can capture your car’s interior and others that record audio.

Are dash cams worth it?

As you evaluate whether a dash came is right for you, here are some things to consider:

Pros

Enhanced Protection

A dash cam’s main advantage is enhanced protection. If you are ever in a collision with another car, there won’t be any guesswork about what happened and who was to blame. Having video footage on hand is evidence that could protect you in the event of an accident. When it comes time to talk to the police, insurance companies, or attorneys – if it comes to that – it will be like having your very own eyewitness to vouch for you.

Additional Security

Some dash cams feature GPS functionality for added security. If your car is stolen, you will have a much greater likelihood of finding and recovering your vehicle.

Discounted Insurance Premiums

Another benefit is that auto insurance companies often give discounts on their insurance premiums to drivers who have a dash cam mounted in their car.

Cons

Price

There is a perception out there that dash cams are premium, big-ticket items. That might have once been true, but their price has dropped over time. You should now be able to find something that’s affordable and within your budget.

Intrusiveness

Initially, some drivers may be uncomfortable with the idea of having a video camera capturing every move they make while driving. But remember, unless you choose to get the system that films your car’s interior, then your dash cam is focused on what’s happening outside your car. Not bad having an extra pair of eyes and ears, right?

Quality

Not all dash cams are equipped with high-definition video. The quality of the video footage varies based on the product and manufacturer.

Legality

Most states accept the use of dash cam technology, but check with your local government or highway patrol to make sure. If you get one of the dash cam products that records audio from the interior of your car, it could raise privacy concerns. In that case, you’d need each passenger to give permission before you turn it on.

So, are dash cams worth it? What you’re really paying for is peace of mind. It’s like an insurance policy in case you are ever in a car accident, or your car is stolen. But keep in mind that a dash cam doesn’t alert you if a driver is about to slam into your car’s rear-end, or if there’s an obstruction in the road ahead that you will need to avoid.

We like to keep you informed of the latest products and technologies that can enhance your driving experience and your safety and security while you are on the road. But sometimes accidents are unavoidable. If you find yourself in car accident, first, we hope you and all passengers are not seriously injured. If there’s damage to your car, call the police and have them write an official report. Then, bring your car to your local Fix Auto USA body shop for reliable collision repair by our team of highly trained and certified technicians. We are open for business and ready to serve you.

To schedule a service appointment, please contact us online or call us today at 800.INFO.FIX.

 

This blog post was contributed by Fix Auto Palo Alto, a leading industry expert and collision repair shop servicing the Palo Alto, Mountain View, and Redwood City areas.