It’s a shame that some people are so money-hungry that they resort to crash-for-cash tactics.
Perpetrators of such schemes stage rear-end accidents by cutting off other drivers, forcing them to slam on their brakes. Often taken by surprise, these unsuspecting motorists sometimes slam into the vehicles operated by those orchestrating vehicular mayhem.
And they don’t stop there. These people will throw themselves onto the hood of a slow-moving vehicle and then call the police, falsely reporting that the unsuspecting driver collided with them.
The best way to protect yourself from these scam artists is with a dash cam.
A Dash Cam Can Help
While not legally required, a dash cam can help in he-said-she-said situations where it’s up to the cops to determine who’s telling the truth.
Unfortunately, some people are so money-hungry that they don’t care whether they get it the old-fashioned way or the dishonest way—getting it by whatever means necessary.
Not All Cars Have Dash Cams
Some cars come with dash cams, and they’re worth every penny. All it’ll take is one negative incident—of the crash-for-cash or hit-and-run variety—to realize that dash cams are worthwhile.
The good news is you can get inexpensive aftermarket dash cams from Amazon, eBay, and many other online and brick-and-mortar retailers. If you want a setup that looks like it came with the car, you may want to get a professional to install it unless you have DIY skills.
If your vehicle doesn’t have a dash cam, here are 13 reasons to get one sooner rather than later.
Accident Documentation
One of the best reasons to get an aftermarket dash cam is for accident documentation. When you capture video evidence of a collision, it’ll be easier to determine fault.
Considering an average of over 6 million passenger car collisions occur in the U.S. annually, you can never be too careful. You’ll want a way to document evidence if you’re in an accident.
Insurance Claims
Another reason to get a dashcam is for the insurance claims process. Remember that insurers aren’t in the habit of giving money away without proof. A dash cam that captures the accident in real-time as it happened will provide all the evidence needed to support your insurance claim.
Protection Against False Claims
As mentioned, some people live to take advantage of the system at the expense of honest folks. They’ll stage accidents and tell outright lies to get what they want.
When you install an aftermarket dash cam in your car, the he-said-she-said game goes out the window. With a dash cam, it’s more like, “The dash cam saw—and recorded everything.” You won’t become a victim of erroneous hit-and-run claims or any other fraudulent behavior.
Road Rage Protection
According to one source, 82% of U.S. motorists acknowledge that they, at least once over the past year, experienced road rage or drove aggressively.
And 96% of people have witnessed a road rage incident over the past half year. That’s yet another reason to install a dash cam. It’ll record evidence if you’re a road rage victim. Remember that it will also capture your behavior, so you’d better be on your best behavior.
Monitoring Teen Drivers
If you have young drivers who are green behind the ears, installing a dash cam is a good idea. The device can monitor their driving behavior, giving you some talking points when addressing whether or not they’re doing things that put themselves or others at risk.
Protection from Uninsured Drivers
The Insurance Research Council reports that 14% of drivers, working out to approximately one in seven, are uninsured. It’s scary that so many people are willing to flout the rules. But dash cam footage can help prove your innocence if you’re involved in a collision with an uninsured motorist.
Parking Lot Incidents
Remember that not all fender benders happen on the roadway or highway. Sometimes, they occur in parking lots. It’s not uncommon for careless drivers to bump into other motorists while reversing or navigating the parking lot.
You can get a dash cam equipped with a parking mode to record incidents that unfold when you’re parked.
Capture Unusual or Dangerous Events
Another benefit of installing an aftermarket dash cam is that the device can capture rare or unusual events. For instance, you may encounter wildlife, a big rainbow spread across the sky, or witness a meteor shower. It’s not always convenient to whip out your smartphone and record what’s unfolding around you. With a dash cam, you won’t miss a thing.
Evidence for Police
When police arrive on the scene of an accident, any evidence you capture with your dash cam makes their job easier. Instead of two or more parties shouting their versions of the truth, you can present your dashcam footage to settle any debates.
A dashcam doubles as an unbiased third-party witness. I’ll show the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
Reducing Insurance Premiums
Some insurers will give you a break on insurance premiums if you install a dashcam since such technology can reduce the odds of fraudulent claims. The recorded evidence can exonerate you if you’re ever involved in a vehicular incident and prevent your premium from increasing.
Peace of Mind
Another benefit of having a dash cam is peace of mind. While it’s never good to get paranoid, bad things happen on the road every day. Having a dash cam that can argue your case with recorded evidence may make driving less stressful.
Dispute Traffic Violations
Around 41 million drivers get speeding tickets yearly, adding up to approximately $6 billion. Yes, that’s “billion” with a “B.” While some traffic violation fines are valid, you’ll sometimes want to contest what you believe is an unfair fine.
A dash cam can provide evidence should you want to contest a traffic ticket or some other violation.
Witness to Unreported Crimes
Another benefit of getting an aftermarket dash cam is that it may capture valuable footage unbeknownst to you if you happen to be near the scene of a crime in progress. This could help ensure justice is done so that the innocent party gets a fair outcome.
It Pays to Install a Dash Cam
Considering the benefits, every vehicle needs a dash cam. They’re relatively inexpensive for what they provide. So, if you don’t have one, ask yourself whether you’d be better off with one or without one.
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