Over the last few years, dashboard cameras have become increasingly popular amongst drivers for many reasons. Whether it’s to monitor rides for work, collect evidence for an insurance claim, or keep an eye on younger drivers, dash cams are a helpful accessory to any motor vehicle. If you’re considering purchasing a dash cam, you may ask yourself, will a dash cam lower my car insurance rate? Let’s take a closer look at dash cams and how they can impact both drivers and their car insurance.
What is a Dashboard Camera?
As the name suggests, a dashboard camera is a recording device usually mounted on a vehicle’s dashboard or windshield. All dash cams record the road ahead, but some models can also record a vehicle’s interior. These cameras typically store footage on an SD card on a rolling basis, which means old recordings are replaced with new video.
In recent years, ongoing technical improvements have made dashboard cameras much more inexpensive and accessible for all drivers.
Dash cams come in a variety of shapes and sizes, each with their own unique set of features that set them apart from other models. For example, besides recording a vehicle’s interior and exterior, some cameras may also include audio recording, GPS and speed data collection, and sensors that can detect disturbances while the car is parked.
Will My Insurance Company Give Me a Discount for Installing a Dash Cam?
There are plenty of car insurance discounts drivers may qualify for after specific actions, such as bundling insurance policies or installing anti-theft devices. However, no major insurer offers discounts for purchasing or installing a dashboard camera. Still, this does not mean a dash cam isn’t worth purchasing. Here are a few ways a dash cam can indirectly affect your insurance rate, helping you save in the long run.
Recording Evidence for an Insurance Claim
No one ever plans on getting into a car accident, but they still happen. In most situations, accidents occur in the blink of an eye, which makes it easy for drivers to miss crucial details that may have led to the collision.
If there is doubt about who was at fault for a crash, the claims process can quickly become a complex game of he-said she-said. Plus, if you’re found at fault for an accident you weren’t responsible for, you could face a rate increase when it is time to renew your insurance policy. However, having video evidence of an accident can help settle any questions of fault and help speed up the overall claims process.
In more severe cases, utilizing a dashboard camera can keep you from becoming a victim of insurance fraud. A common form of car insurance fraud is a staged collision, which is when a scammer purposefully causes an accident with another motorist and places the blame on them to receive an insurance payout. Proving your innocence could be difficult if it is your word against a group of scammers, but having a dash cam with evidence of the scam could help you expose it.
Improving Driving Habits
The CDC states that motor vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of death for U.S. teens. Due to their lack of experience and increased chance of being involved in an accident, insurers typically charge a hefty rate to add a teenage driver to an auto policy. Although a dash cam won’t directly affect your teen driver’s insurance premium, monitoring their driving can cause them to be more cautious on the road. As a parent, you can routinely review their driving footage to catch and correct any risky driving habits before a traffic stop or crash occurs.
Even if you don’t have a teen driver, you can always review your footage to hold yourself accountable and improve your driving habits.
Avoid a Bad Ticket
Despite best intentions, it is possible to receive a ticket for an infraction you did not commit.
The Chicago Tribune, for example, found that city officials used speed cameras to issue $2.4 million worth of bad tickets in Chicago during a 2015 investigation. Reporters used video evidence from outside sources to prove there were no wrongdoings. If you’re wrongfully issued a citation, a dash cam can help prevent consequences in court if the footage clearly shows your innocence. If successful, avoiding a moving ticket will prevent rate increases down the line.
Keep in mind that laws may differ depending on how and when such footage can be used in court.
Having an Extra Set of Eyes
Unfortunately, there are few ways to monitor your car while it is parked unattended. Although audio alarms can scare potential thieves off, they don’t do much to identify a person responsible for a hit-and-run, vandalism, or theft.
If you’d like to have an extra set of eyes on your car while you are away, consider purchasing a dash cam.
Some advanced cameras come with motion-activated sensors that begin recording whenever they detect excessive motion or vibrations. These typically require extra hardware to keep the camera running while the vehicle is off, but the added security measures make it worth it. If you live in an area with a high rate of car break-ins, a dash cam could help you catch a repeat offender or even deter someone from targeting your vehicle at all.
Is a Dash Cam Worth Purchasing?
Dash cams come with multiple benefits, but not all drivers may consider the purchase worth it.
Remember, your insurer won’t provide you with a discount for installing a dash cam. However, having video evidence can be valuable when dealing with insurance claims, identifying hit-and-run drivers, or improving overall driving habits. Plus, since most cameras fall between the $100 and $200 price range, they aren’t as expensive as a rate increase after an at-fault accident.
Before you purchase a dashboard camera, consider the features that are important to you. If you want to keep a video log of your daily commute, an entry-level model may make more sense than one with additional features.
Review Your Coverage Options with Orion
When it comes to California car insurance, we understand the importance of finding coverage that suits your needs. At Orion Indemnity, we pride ourselves on providing quality insurance coverage tailored for California drivers.
Whether you’re considering adding to your policy, switching carriers, or have additional insurance questions, our team of specialists can help. To learn more about how Orion Indemnity can assist you, give us a call today at (833) 336-7466.
The information in this article is obtained from various sources and offered for educational purposes only. Furthermore, it should not replace the advice of a qualified professional. The definitions, terms, and coverage in a given policy may be different than those suggested here. No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.
