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Is a dash cam worth it? Does it lower insurance?
Updated
For most drivers, yes, it is worth it. But not because of an insurance discount. Most US insurers do not give a standing discount for having a dash cam, and the ones that do anything vary by company and state. The value is simple: when a crash is your word against theirs, you have the video.
Does it lower your insurance?
Do not count on it. Insurers differ, and their rules change. The only way to know is to call yours and ask two things:
- Do you offer any discount for a dash cam on my policy in my state?
- If I have a crash, how do I send you the video?
The second answer matters more. Where a dash cam can save you money is in how fault gets decided. If the video shows the other driver ran the light, you have a much better shot at not being blamed. An at-fault crash on your record is what raises rates. No one can promise an insurer will accept or act on video, but clear video is hard to argue with.
What it helps with
- Crashes where the other driver changes their story.
- Hit and run, if the plate or the car is readable. See why no camera reads every plate.
- Staged crashes and sudden brake checks.
- Bumps in parking lots, if you set up parking mode.
- A record of your own speed and position, with GPS models.
What it does not do
- It does not prevent a crash.
- It records you too. If you were speeding or on the phone, the video shows that. In a claim or a court case you may have to hand it over.
- It fails silently. A worn-out card means no video on the one day you need it. That is the most common way a dash cam turns out not to be worth it.
Who gets the most from one
| You | Worth it? |
|---|---|
| Commute in heavy traffic or drive a lot of miles | Yes |
| Park on the street | Yes, with parking mode |
| Drive for rideshare or delivery | Yes. See the rideshare guide |
| New or teen driver in the house | Yes |
| Drive a few quiet miles a week, park in a garage | Nice to have, not urgent |
What we'd buy
- VIOFO A229 Plus: our pick for most drivers, because the rear camera is as good as the front and being hit from behind is common. Caveat: it is 2K, not 4K, and most bundles need a card added.
- ROVE R2-4K Dual: card and GPS in the box, so it works the day it arrives. Caveat: the 4K is upscaled.
Whichever you buy, the camera is only worth it if it is recording. Use a high endurance card sized with the card calculator, and check a clip once a month. All four picks are on the shortlist.
Insurance rules and the rules on using video as evidence differ by state and by company. This is general information, not legal or insurance advice.