As more Americans head on the road, the number of drivers installing dashcams in their vehicles is also growing. Many drivers are choosing to install dashcams to have helpful footage in case of a collision, to monitor their teen’s driving habits, or to record a scenic drive through a picturesque landscape. But did you know that installing a dash cam also can have some effects on your insurance? Lets look at some of the ways that choosing to install a dashcam can benefit your car insurance.
Dashcams Help Prove Fault In An Accident
One of the most commonly cited reasons for getting a dashcam is to have evidence during car crashes. Because accidents happen so fast, it can be difficult to prove which driver was actually at fault. While some accidents are caught on traffic cameras on light poles or traffic signals, dashcams are the best way to ensure that if a collision occurs when you are driving, there is a high chance that you have footage of the incident.
During a crash investigation, law enforcement can use your footage to look over what happened, and determine who was responsible for the accident. Oftentimes, when none of the cars involved in the crash have a dashcam, it becomes a situation where it is simply your word versus the other driver’s. Without proper footage, investigators may incorrectly find you at fault and make you responsible for the damages. This can lead to your insurance company having to cover a large payout, which will raise your rates.
But when you have a dash cam present, you can provide the evidence of what really happened, and get rid of the uncertainty. Dashcams can help law enforcement determine what really happened in the incident, making sure that you won’t be liable for any costs that weren’t your fault.
Dashcams Prevent Insurance Scams
Hopefully this will never happen to you, but there are people on the roads that may intentionally cause an accident to try to get a payout for your insurance. Just like in an accidental collision without a dashcam, valuable evidence could be lost, and it may be hard to prove that you were not at fault. This may leave your insurance raising your rates for something you didn’t do. But with a dashcam, not only can the video be used to help prosecute the scammers, making the roads just a little bit safer, but it can prevent you from having to deal with higher insurance premiums for something you were only a victim of.
“Dashcams are an easy and hassle-free way of making sure that valuable evidence isn’t lost in a crash. Don’t get caught with a bill for a crash that wasn’t your fault just because you didn’t have valuable video evidence.”
Some Insurance Companies Offer Discounts For Dashcam Users
Because dashcams help prevent you from being wrongfully labeled as responsible for damage in an accident, insurance companies may provide incentives for using them. They help reduce costs for the insurance companies, and can also save them lots of time in court. Because of this, some companies will pass some of those savings off to you.
Additionally, people tend to drive safer when they have a dashcam installed. For some, this is because they know that there will be video evidence if they get in a crash, and if they were driving recklessly, they know they are more likely to be held accountable. For others, simply knowing that they are being recorded is enough to make them drive safer. Safer drivers means fewer accidents, and fewer accidents means less money that insurance companies will have to pay. Because of those benefits, some companies will try to convince you to install one by offering discounts on your rate.
Looking For Quality Coverage Designed For You? See How Strickler Can Help
While installing a dashcam might not instantly save you money, choosing an auto insurance policy from Strickler can certainly help. We work with you to find a policy that fits your needs and budget. Whether you are looking for auto insurance that provides dashcam discounts, or great coverage for your other assets like your home or RV, reach out today to get started with an experienced team you can trust.
