If a dash cam seems like an unnecessary purchase, the seven reasons we cover below will convince you otherwise

Any experienced driver knows how quickly things can turn south behind the wheel. You could be following all the rules of the road to a T, but if a nearby driver isn’t, you could end up in an accident. Even worse, they could hit and run, leaving you alone at the scene. This is just one of the many situations where a dash cam could give you evidence that saves you loads of time and money. Below, we’ll dive into this scenario as well as six more that make investing in a dash cam a no-brainer.

1. Dash Cams Record Footage of Accidents & Other Incidents

Without a dash cam, the best case scenario in a hit and run is you catch a glimpse of their license plate and manage to memorize it before they speed off. But in the chaos of a car accident, this isn’t exactly easy to do. 

Not to mention, they could easily be too far away by the time you realize what happened. You might be able to see the color, make, and model, but that’ll only narrow things down so much.

With a dash cam, you’ll have recorded footage of before, during, and after the accident that’s easy to access. That way, you can gather all the information you need about the runner and how the situation played out. 

This info won’t just save you trouble at the scene when the police arrive. It’ll also save you a lot of stress with the insurance company. We all know how much they love to nickel and dime their way out of paying their fair share. But when you have hard evidence like this, you close those loopholes they like to use so often.

The same goes for plenty of other accidents and incidents that can happen on the road. 

If you get in a wreck with someone who tries to lie and spin the story in their favor, your dash cam footage will tell the truth. If someone breaks into or vandalizes your car, you’ll have them on camera. And if something happens to a nearby car within view of your dash cam, you could help a fellow driver with their case by sharing the footage.

Just make sure you get a dash cam that allows you to download footage to your phone without a SIM card. In an accident, this will allow you to quickly produce video of the accident for police when they arrive.

2. Dash Cams Track Your Speed to Help Avoid Unfair Tickets

Another nifty feature many dash cams have is a built-in speedometer. While recording video, they also track your speed, which can be a huge help if a police officer tries to stick you with an unfair speeding ticket.

Regardless of what they write on your ticket, if you can provide proof you weren’t speeding via your dash cam footage, you can save a lot of money and keep those points off your license.

3. They Can Help You Avoid Other Unfair Violations Too

Dash cams don’t just come in handy while you’re behind the wheel. If you drop your car off in a metered garage, parking lot, or streetside spot, having your dash cam running can save you from overzealous parking attendants. 

When they try to charge you with a violation before you’ve reached your allotted time, that precious footage can absolve you and save you a solid chunk of change.

4. Dash Cams Can Deter Thieves & Vandals

Like home security cameras scare away burglars, dash cams can do the same for thieves and vandals who may want to target your car. Even if it’s not recording at the time, just the fact that you have one installed can be enough to make a would-be thief move on to the next car.

5. They Capture Audio Inside & Outside the Car

From interactions with police officers to general conversations, dash cams can capture it all. If there’s an altercation in or just outside your car, you’ll have it all recorded in case you need it for legal reasons.

The range may be limited for the exterior of your car, but depending on whether you have a window open and how close the conversation is, you should be able to hear it well enough.

6. They Can Record When Someone Else Drives Your Car  

Dash cams are also a great way to monitor the goings-on when you lend your car to someone else. Whether it’s a friend or family member, one of your children, a valet driver, or an auto technician, that coverage can provide priceless information if something goes wrong.

For example, if a valet driver decides to take your car for a joyride, you can check the recordings and take it up with management. Or, if your kid gets stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire and doesn’t know where they are, you can look back at the footage to figure out their location and lend a hand.

7. Dash Cams Encourage Safe Driving

Having a dash cam is like having your own personal cameraman following you around wherever you go, except they’re tracking your speed, too. For many people, the knowledge that they’re being recorded would encourage them to drive safer than they normally would. 

After all, if they get in an accident while being a little loose with the rules of the road, it’ll all be on camera. So, in addition to all the perks dash cams give you, they can also help you contribute to a safer experience for other drivers.