Good advice on the endurance-rated cards. I've seen a few clients run into similar issues with dashcam footage when filing claims. Insurance companies in no-fault states still rely heavily on clear evidence to determine liability percentages, especially if there's any dispute or ambiguity. Dashcam footage can really streamline the claims process, even if you're not technically "at fault."
One thing I'd add—make sure your dashcam's date and time settings are accurate. Had a client once whose dashcam was off by several hours, and it caused unnecessary confusion during the claim review. Adjusting timestamps after the fact isn't always straightforward, and insurers can get skeptical if there's any discrepancy.
Also, periodically formatting your memory card (after backing up important clips, obviously) can help prevent corruption issues. Even high-quality cards benefit from a fresh format every few months. It resets the file system and reduces the chance of errors creeping in over time.
Dashcams aside, it's worth double-checking your policy details every renewal period. No-fault states have specific coverage requirements, and insurers sometimes tweak their terms or pricing structures. A quick review can save you from surprises down the road...
Great point about formatting the memory card regularly—I learned that one the hard way after losing some scenic footage on a cross-country drive. Totally agree on the timestamp thing too; it's easy to overlook but can really mess things up if you're not careful. Have you noticed any particular dashcam brands or models that handle date/time settings more reliably? Seems like some reset randomly, which can be pretty annoying...
Yeah, learned the timestamp lesson myself after reviewing footage from a minor fender-bender—apparently, it happened in 2015 according to my dashcam. 🙄 I've noticed Garmin dashcams seem pretty solid with date/time settings. Had mine for over two years now, and it's never randomly reset or glitched out on me. On the flip side, had a cheaper off-brand one before that would reset every time the weather changed or if I sneezed too hard... super frustrating when you're trying to document something important.
Also, quick tip: double-check your dashcam after daylight savings. Mine didn't auto-update once, and I spent weeks driving around an hour in the past. Felt like Marty McFly without the cool car.
Interesting point about Garmin dashcams—I keep hearing good things about them. But I'm curious, is the timestamp really that critical in a no-fault state? I mean, isn't the whole idea of no-fault insurance that your own insurer covers you regardless of who's at fault? Or am I misunderstanding something here?
I'm asking because I'm currently shopping around for my first car insurance policy (finally got my own wheels!), and I've been trying to wrap my head around how dashcam footage actually factors into claims. I get that timestamps can help clarify details, but if the insurance company isn't assigning blame anyway, does it really matter if your dashcam thinks it's 2015 or 2023?
Also, about daylight savings—good tip! But honestly, wouldn't most insurers just look at the footage itself rather than relying solely on the timestamp? Like, if there's clear video evidence of what happened, would they really nitpick over an hour's difference? Maybe I'm being naive here... but it seems like they'd have bigger fish to fry.
I had a friend who went through a minor accident recently (thankfully nothing serious), and he didn't even have a dashcam. The insurance company didn't seem bothered by the lack of footage at all. They just took statements and photos and processed everything pretty smoothly. So now I'm wondering if investing in a high-end dashcam is really worth it for insurance purposes alone—or is it more about peace of mind?
Anyway, appreciate the heads-up on cheaper models glitching out. Definitely don't want to deal with something resetting every time I hit a pothole or sneeze too hard, lol.
That's a fair question—timestamps aren't usually a make-or-break deal in no-fault states, especially for minor claims. You're right that your own insurer typically covers your costs regardless of who's at fault. Still, dashcam footage can sometimes help clarify the details if there's a dispute or confusion about what exactly happened, especially with more serious incidents or property damage claims.
I had a similar thought when I got my first dashcam (went budget-friendly myself, lol). It's mostly about peace of mind and having solid evidence if something weird happens. Insurance companies won't usually nitpick over minor timestamp issues like daylight savings or being off by an hour or two, as long as the footage itself clearly shows what went down.
Honestly, high-end models aren't strictly necessary for insurance purposes alone. A decent mid-range dashcam that's reliable and doesn't reset randomly should do fine—just avoid the cheapest ones that glitch out constantly (been there...). Congrats on the new wheels, btw!
