Yeah, even basic dashcams can save you a ton of hassle. I recently got my first insurance policy and decided to grab a budget cam just in case. Sure enough, within a month someone backed into me at the grocery store. Footage wasn't amazing, but it clearly showed what happened—insurance didn't even question it. Definitely worth the peace of mind for such a small investment...
Dashcams are definitely underrated. I've been commuting daily for years, and honestly, it's not even about the video quality being perfect—just having a timestamped record is huge. A few tips from experience:
- Get one with decent night vision or low-light capability; parking lots at dusk can be tricky.
- Regularly check your SD card; they can corrupt unexpectedly.
- Positioning matters: angle it slightly downward to catch license plates clearly.
Small details, but they make a difference when dealing with insurance. Saved me more than once...
Dashcams are handy, yeah, but honestly I never thought about angling mine downward. Had a minor fender-bender in my old Mustang last year, and the footage was clear enough...but couldn't quite make out the plate. Might try repositioning mine now.
Dashcams definitely help, but honestly, clear footage isn't always enough. Had a friend whose dashcam caught a hit-and-run perfectly, but the insurance still dragged their feet because the plate was blurry. Angling downward might help, but I'd also suggest checking your dashcam's resolution settings—higher res can make a huge difference. Speaking of insurance, anyone know if insurers offer discounts for having dashcams installed? Seems like they should, considering how much easier it makes their job...
"Speaking of insurance, anyone know if insurers offer discounts for having dashcams installed?"
I've been researching this exact thing lately since I'm shopping around for my first auto policy. From what I've found, it really depends on the insurer—some do offer small discounts (usually around 5-10%), but it's not universal yet. Definitely worth asking your provider directly. And you're right about resolution settings; I upgraded mine recently and the difference in clarity is huge. Hopefully insurers catch up soon and start rewarding proactive drivers more consistently...
