Why a Dash Cam Is Worth It
Protect Yourself in Accidents
In any accident, there are two sides to every story—and the other driver's story might not match reality. Dash cam footage provides objective evidence of exactly what happened, eliminating "he said, she said" disputes. Insurance companies trust video evidence over verbal accounts, which can dramatically speed up claims and ensure you're not blamed for accidents you didn't cause.
Combat Insurance Fraud
"Crash for cash" scams cost insurers billions annually, and honest drivers pay for it through higher premiums. Fraudsters deliberately cause accidents to file claims—brake-checking, sudden lane changes, or staging rear-end collisions. A dash cam captures these schemes, protecting you from being held liable for fraud.
Potential Insurance Discounts
Many insurers now offer 5-15% discounts for drivers with dash cams. Even without explicit discounts, documented footage can prevent premium increases from disputed claims. Check with your insurer—a $150 dash cam might pay for itself through premium savings in the first year.
Document Everything
Beyond accidents, dash cams capture hit-and-runs in parking lots, vandalism, dangerous drivers to report, and even memorable road trip moments. GPS-equipped models log your speed and location, useful for disputing speeding tickets or proving you weren't somewhere you're accused of being.
When Is a Dash Cam Less Necessary?
There are few situations where a dash cam wouldn't be worthwhile, but:
- Very short, infrequent drives: If you only drive a few miles weekly in low-traffic areas, risk is lower (but not zero)
- Leased vehicles with restrictions: Some lease agreements prohibit modifications; check first
- Extreme budget constraints: Below $50, dash cam quality drops significantly; wait until you can afford a decent model
What to Look for in a Dash Cam
- Resolution: 1440p or 4K for clear license plate capture
- GPS: Logs location and speed with footage—essential for insurance claims
- Night vision: Many accidents happen at night; good low-light performance is critical
- Parking mode: Records impacts and motion when car is parked
- Loop recording: Automatically overwrites old footage; saves important clips
Our Top Recommendations
Best Overall: The Garmin Dash Cam 67W ($249) offers excellent 1440p video, 180-degree coverage, GPS, voice control, and cloud storage.
Best Value: The Viofo A129 Pro Duo ($229) includes front AND rear cameras with 4K quality—exceptional value for full coverage.
Best Budget: The Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 ($129) is tiny, discreet, and capable with 1080p recording and cloud backup.
The Bottom Line
A dash cam is one of the smartest automotive investments you can make. The cost of a quality dash cam ($100-300) is trivial compared to the potential cost of being wrongly blamed for an accident—increased insurance premiums, legal fees, or even losing a lawsuit without evidence. Consider it insurance for your insurance.
Related Questions
Yes, in most jurisdictions dash cam footage is admissible in civil and criminal proceedings. GPS data logging adds credibility by proving when and where footage was recorded. Footage has been used successfully to prove fault in accidents, document hit-and-runs, and even as evidence in criminal cases.
When connected to your 12V socket, dash cams only draw power when the car is on. Hardwired parking mode installations include voltage cutoff devices that stop recording before your battery gets too low. Properly installed, a dash cam won't affect your battery.