Dash Cam

[Tim]

I don’t see how your story implies the police not caring. Looks to me like they got it right and the other side’s insurance company just dragged it out for some reason. Regardless, I have no issue with other people wanting dash cams, or ring cams, or anything else like it. I just don’t see a lot of point to it. I’ve been in and around many accidents. They’ve always been adjudicated fairly.

We have had different experience with police reports, insurance companies and mediation. Everything from simply writing a report that says there was an accident and bypassing little things like actually anything more than "I found 2 cars with some damage." Face it, you can even turn in your own accident report online. The police are strapped and will not devote much time for property damage. Here it is more "tell it to the judge" unless there is bodily injury.
Once you file with your insurance company, it is a claim regardless who is at fault. Mediation is settled without your knowledge or consent. You do not even get the right to see what was presented, offered or settled. You have insurance, but that is about the extent of your rights.

[uksho]

Police have been evaluating accidents for roughly 100 years without dash cams. I don’t see the need for one.

I disagree, not everyone has the same integrity as you have

[Larry Ragman]

We have had different experience with police reports, insurance companies and mediation. Everything from simply writing a report that says there was an accident and bypassing little things like actually anything more than "I found 2 cars with some damage." Face it, you can even turn in your own accident report online. The police are strapped and will not devote much time for property damage. Here it is more "tell it to the judge" unless there is bodily injury.
Once you file with your insurance company, it is a claim regardless who is at fault. Mediation is settled without your knowledge or consent. You do not even get the right to see what was presented, offered or settled. You have insurance, but that is about the extent of your rights.

Sure, but my point is that is why I have insurance, so I don't have to worry about it.

[NowOpenWide]

I have it on all my cars. I use one that is rear view mirror mounted. Fairly easy to install. It records both front and back and records audio. (Two separate cameras recording 1080P) Acts like a mirror if I turn display off (but keeps recording) Very useful for backing up as it has larger view angle. Plus if there is ever a question in accident about he-said-she-said, you know what really happened. Best $100 spent !!

[Tim]

Sure, but my point is that is why I have insurance, so I don't have to worry about it.

My point is a video makes up for a lot of failings of law enforcement, insurance company processes and other drivers. Faster and efficient.

[Larry Ragman]

My point is a video makes up for a lot of failings of law enforcement, insurance company processes and other drivers. Faster and efficient.

I see I am going to have to agree to disagree with the Forum on this. Well, not with your statement. I'm sure having a video does all those things you say. No, my disagreement is the value proposition (making the insurance company's job easier) versus the inconvenience (having my life on camera). Let me pose a hypothetical: if the insurance company cared, don't you think they would offer a reduced rate for having a dash cam? Hmmm, maybe some do. Mine does not.

[Kamban]

I see I am going to have to agree to disagree with the Forum on this. Well, not with your statement. I'm sure having a video does all those things you say. No, my disagreement is the value proposition (making the insurance company's job easier) versus the inconvenience (having my life on camera). Let me pose a hypothetical: if the insurance company cared, don't you think they would offer a reduced rate for having a dash cam? Hmmm, maybe some do. Mine does not.

I have had near collisions where a person made a left turn where I had right of way in a traffic signal and also I made a left dedicated turn and the other person jumped the gun like a rabbit and nearly T boned me. Another time I was side swiped while in my own lane when a person merged onto my lane and the police gave a report with no fault. Far too many times I have had people pull out from side roads and houses in front of me of me and I have nearly rear ended them. Most will be either no-fault or my fault and my insurance rates go up. points add up and the insurance might even drop me.

When I had to hit someone who pulled in front of me and the vehicle positions changed, it would be very easy for the other person to state I hit her. This happened with my Tesla Model3. Luckily I had dash cam footage on my ssd and was ready to give it to the police/ insurance / attorneys should that need arise.

I am now a dashcam convert. It is better to have it as a part of the car. For the aftermarket cams, the best option is to hardwire it and also stick with an adhesive so that it does not come off the windshield in the summer heat of the South.

[Larry Ragman]

I have had near collisions where a person made a left turn where I had right of way in a traffic signal and also I made a left dedicated turn and the other person jumped the gun like a rabbit and nearly T boned me. Another time I was side swiped while in my own lane when a person merged onto my lane and the police gave a report with no fault. Far too many times I have had people pull out from side roads and houses in front of me of me and I have nearly rear ended them. Most will be either no-fault or my fault and my insurance rates go up. points add up and the insurance might even drop me.

When I had to hit someone who pulled in front of me and the vehicle positions changed, it would be very easy for the other person to state I hit her. This happened with my Tesla Model3. Luckily I had dash cam footage on my ssd and was ready to give it to the police/ insurance / attorneys should that need arise.

I am now a dashcam convert. It is better to have it as a part of the car. For the aftermarket cams, the best option is to hardwire it and also stick with an adhesive so that it does not come off the windshield in the summer heat of the South.

Ok, but did anyone actually collect the footage and use it?

[Gamma Knives]

Police have been evaluating accidents for roughly 100 years without dash cams. I don’t see the need for one.

And they have been doing a poor job at it.

Beyond the monetary consideration, most of us don't like being put in the wrong (at fault) if we were not. Even though I could (likely) afford the consequences of being incorrectly assigned blame, I don't want to pay if I am not at fault.

Finally, as others have pointed out it can potentially save time and headache. If there is a dispute it can eat up time. You are asked for your version of events multiple times and have to answer clarification. You don't always have the luxury of just turning it over to insurance and forgetting about it.

Having said that I don't consider a dash cam mandatory. But certainly you can see why some people prefer to have one?

[uksho]

I have it on all my cars. I use one that is rear view mirror mounted. Fairly easy to install. It records both front and back and records audio. (Two separate cameras recording 1080P) Acts like a mirror if I turn display off (but keeps recording) Very useful for backing up as it has larger view angle. Plus if there is ever a question in accident about he-said-she-said, you know what really happened. Best $100 spent !!

Which company and model ?

[Kamban]

Ok, but did anyone actually collect the footage and use it?

I was ready to give it in the Tesla accident but luckily there was an eyewitness. In the side swipe incident my wife's Acura did not have a dashcam. I now drive the Tesla partly because I know that should an accident occur that is not my fault, the other person cannot weasel his way out.

All it takes one good ( or bad ) incident to become a convert. Till then the general attitude is why do you need it. Something like backup camera or having gps instead of paper maps. You can do well without it but once you get a taste of it, you are not going back.

[uksho]

I was ready to give it in the Tesla accident but luckily there was an eyewitness. In the side swipe incident my wife's Acura did not have a dashcam. I now drive the Tesla partly because I know that should an accident occur that is not my fault, the other person cannot weasel his way out.

All it takes one good ( or bad ) incident to become a convert. Till then the general attitude is why do you need it. Something like backup camera or having gps instead of paper maps. You can do well without it but once you get a taste of it, you are not going back.

You are absolutely correct . The other person apologized to me and even initially accepted with his insurance company that he was changing lane

but when officially statement was recorded , completely denied it .

And of course his insurance company was happy to hear it!

[Larry Ragman]

And they have been doing a poor job at it.

Beyond the monetary consideration, most of us don't like being put in the wrong (at fault) if we were not. Even though I could (likely) afford the consequences of being incorrectly assigned blame, I don't want to pay if I am not at fault.

Finally, as others have pointed out it can potentially save time and headache. If there is a dispute it can eat up time. You are asked for your version of events multiple times and have to answer clarification. You don't always have the luxury of just turning it over to insurance and forgetting about it.

Having said that I don't consider a dash cam mandatory. But certainly you can see why some people prefer to have one?

I have said repeatedly that I have no issue with any of you who want to have dash cams or any other kinds of cams in your lives. I just don’t really see the value. Yes, some people are willing to be dishonest and scam the system. But no kidding, whenever this has happened to me I just ignore it and the insurance company sorts it out. That’s what they do. If my next car happens to have one it is not like I would disable it. But neither am I going out and buying one.

[Larry Ragman]

I was ready to give it in the Tesla accident but luckily there was an eyewitness. In the side swipe incident my wife's Acura did not have a dashcam. I now drive the Tesla partly because I know that should an accident occur that is not my fault, the other person cannot weasel his way out.

All it takes one good ( or bad ) incident to become a convert. Till then the general attitude is why do you need it. Something like backup camera or having gps instead of paper maps. You can do well without it but once you get a taste of it, you are not going back.

Maybe. I have had one of these scenarios happen to me - suddenly discovered neck pain, the whole nine yards. The insurance company told me I was being sued and I don’t recall hearing anything more about it. They probably settled. Who knows? I figured I hired them to deal with accident liability so I let them. I don’t especially care for the system, but I can’t change it.

Amusing side notes on your analogies. Everyone wants GPS until it fails. Might be glad to have a map in the glove box. Real life: the military now routinely games operations without GPS. Back-up cameras. Very nice feature, but it would be irresponsible not to also actually you know, look around when backing up. Anyway, more safety features gotta be good, right? If my new car has a dash cam I’d use it. But I don’t see enough value in the whole thing to go out and buy one.

[Tangler]

I was kinda hoping to be entertained by some ridiculous footage. Guess, I should focus on something productive. Carry on.