Yeah, I used to think uninsured motorist was just another upsell too, but after my last accident, I’m not so sure anymore. Got rear-ended at a stoplight by some guy who looked like he was barely old enough to drive. He handed me an expired insurance card and then started making excuses about “getting his info from his glovebox”... and you can guess how that went. Dude just took off.
I was mad at myself for not snapping a pic of his plates right away, but honestly, in the moment you’re just kind of stunned. Ended up paying out of pocket for the repairs because my basic policy didn’t cover it. That stung way more than the extra few bucks a month would have.
I still grumble about how much insurance costs, but now I see it as just part of driving these days. Not everyone’s honest or even able to pay if they mess up. Paranoid? Maybe, but I’d rather be covered than stuck with a busted bumper and no one to call.
- Been there, and it’s a headache you don’t forget.
- I always thought “uninsured motorist” was just a scare tactic, but after seeing a friend get stuck with a totaled car and zero help, I changed my tune.
- It’s wild how fast someone can vanish when they know they’re not covered.
- I keep my phone handy now, just in case.
- Do you think dashcams are worth it for stuff like this, or is that overkill?
Do you think dashcams are worth it for stuff like this, or is that overkill?
- Dashcams aren’t overkill, not these days. They’re cheap and can make or break a claim when it’s your word against someone who’s already vanished.
- Seen too many cases where “I swear it wasn’t my fault” turns into a dead end because there’s no proof. Insurance companies love evidence, and video is king.
- Uninsured motorist coverage is a must, but even then, getting paid out can be a slog if there’s any dispute about what actually happened. Dashcam footage cuts through a lot of that.
- Phones are good for after the fact—photos, recording details, etc.—but they don’t catch the actual incident. That’s where dashcams shine.
- Some people think it’s paranoid, but you’d be surprised how often hit-and-runs happen, especially in parking lots. Not always dramatic, but still a pain to deal with.
Curious if anyone’s actually had to use dashcam footage for a claim? Did it make things smoother, or did the insurance company still drag their feet?
Had to use dashcam footage once after someone sideswiped my car in a parking lot and took off. The insurance company still asked a bunch of questions, but once I sent the video, things moved a lot faster. They couldn’t really argue with what was on camera. Without it, I’m pretty sure I’d have ended up paying out of pocket. It’s not just about big crashes—sometimes it’s the little scrapes that are the biggest hassle.
I get the value of dashcams, but honestly, it’s not always the magic bullet people think. Had a similar situation, except my footage was a bit blurry and the plate was unreadable. Insurance still dragged their feet and tried to pin some fault on me for “parking too close to the line.” Sometimes I wonder if they just look for any excuse. Dashcams help, sure, but they’re no guarantee you’ll avoid the runaround.