Are Dash Cams Worth It?

When it comes to security of any kind, many people worry about whether or not the cost of the protection in question actually ends up being worth it. At the end of the day, something like home or vehicle security can end up being costly, especially when you’re talking about video surveillance. 

As more and more vehicles with dash cams continue to hit the road, drivers are asking themselves – are dash cams worth it?

Below, Nexar goes over more information about dash cams as well as the pros and cons of having a dash cam, which will ultimately help you decide if you think it’s worth it to invest in one or not.

Quick Facts about Dash Cams

What is a dash cam? You already know that, but we’ll tell you again. A dashboard camera is a working camera that can be installed inside of a car, truck, or SUV, most often sitting on the… you guessed it… dashboard! Although, truth be told, many front-facing dash cams these days are mounted behind the rearview mirror discreetly and without interrupting a driver’s view.

Regardless of where it is mounted/installed, a dash cam can record with a roadview and/or cabin view camera. Some dash cams can record video from both angles. Many dash cam providers also offer rearview cameras for complete vehicle protection. 

Different cameras have different features – and some have more useful features than others. But a dashboard camera’s general purpose is to document the events of a drive – for security reasons most often.

Nexar connected dash cams cover roadview, rear, and cabin view, providing industry best features while working seamlessly with your smartphone. Our dash cams help you monitor your vehicle and record incidents in real time, protecting your car when you’re on the road and when you’re parked. 

Read on to learn a little more about our vehicle security solutions here at Nexar, how they relate to you (as well as to the overall question ‘are dash cams worth it?’), and walk away with a better idea of whether or not you really want to purchase a dash cam.

How Do Dash Cams Work?

How does a dash cam work? Dash cams typically work by recording video footage while mounted to either the front or rear windshield. Dashboard cameras are powered by a vehicle’s battery –  either via a cigarette lighter cable or via hardwiring. Most dash cams store footage to an internal memory card. However, there are also dash cams that have the ability to provide unlimited cloud storage – nearly always (if not always) via monthly subscription. 

Dash cams automatically start recording when the ignition of the vehicle in question is turned on. Dashboard cameras usually record in a loop, which means older footage gets overwritten when the memory card is full. This allows drivers to capture critical moments such as accidents or traffic incidents. Footage can be used as evidence and accessed as needed.

Nexar provides unlimited cloud storage and automatic cloud backup of critical footage via the Nexar Connect app’s LTE Connection Plan, which helps drivers focus on the road ahead instead of worrying about storage space and losing important footage.

Things can happen during an accident, and that’s why Nexar has you covered with automatic backup of critical footage. Any important footage recorded by a Nexar connected dash cam is saved automatically and protected from overwriting and loop recording. No matter what happens, you’ll always have access to your important footage.

Dash Cam Pros

You might be able to answer the question “Are dash cams worth it?” by reviewing the benefits of having a dashboard camera. There are more than a few pros to having a dash cam, which include:

• Captured Evidence
• Insurance Fraud Protection
• Monitor Young Drivers
• An Extra Layer of Security

Captured Evidence

With a dash cam you never have to worry about conflicting accounts of an event. Your dash cam records footage of incidents in real time, which can help you prove another driver is at fault during an accident or collision. This can help you provide evidence that can prove you are not at fault to law enforcement.

Nexar connected cameras shoot in Full HD and 4K, capturing the important details during every drive, including license plates, road signs, and more.

Insurance Fraud Protection

On the other hand, dashboard cameras can also help you prove you are not at fault for insurance purposes. Some bad actors out there may try to place all the blame on you after a collision, but a dash cam can help you clear your name and avoid being the victim of insurance fraud, which can cost a lot of money initially as well as in increased annual or monthly premiums.

Although a Nexar dash cam likely will not result in instant insurance savings, it can help you avoid costly disputes with other drivers and insurance companies. Our connected dash cams put the footage in your hands – putting any questions immediately to rest.

Monitor Young Drivers

Parents can use dash cams to monitor their young drivers. With a dash cam in the vehicle, you can see how your child drives in real time. Dash cams can also be used to improve driving abilities, discourage bad driving habits, and enhance driver safety.

Nexar beam2 and Nexar One dash cams come with the option of in-cabin recording, which is great for rideshare drivers and trucking companies, but it’s also a fantastic feature for parents looking to monitor the behavior of their young drivers and any passengers.

An Extra Layer of Security

Dash cams provide a crucial layer of security while driving and while parked. Many dash cams on the market offer features that help you monitor your car when it is parked and you’re away as well.

Nexar connected dash cams feature 24/7 Parking Mode and remote live streaming, which help you monitor and protect your vehicle and your property when you’re parked or when you’re away from your vehicle. 

Dash Cam Cons

Are dash cams worth it? Even though we’re leaders in the dash cam industry, we’ll concede that there are a few cons to having a dash cam that you should be aware of before you make your purchase. Cons of owning a dash cam include:

• Captured Evidence
• Privacy Issues
• Cost
• Memory

Captured Evidence

Just like how captured evidence can work in your favor if you’re not at fault during an accident, it can work against you if you are responsible for an accident. A dash cam objectively records events and incidents – a dash cam does not play favorites.

Privacy Issues

Taking video of any event will in some form compromise the privacy of you or whomever you’re recording. Different states and countries have different laws and regulations regarding dash cams and their relationship to privacy. As a general rule, it’s not a good idea to record specific people (if they are not involved in an incident) or areas that are designated as private property. Dash cams are meant to record incidents on the road and while parked.

Please note that Nexar takes the Privacy of our customers and users extremely seriously. Please contact us directly with any questions regarding our Privacy Policy if you have any questions.

Cost

The question “are dash cams worth it?” might come down to cost for many people as well. A quality dash cam might not be considered “cheap” in price, but there are cost-efficient options available on the market. You’ll have to pay for the hardware, memory, and continuous support features usually in the form of an app.

Most dash cam apps offering advanced support features come with a monthly subscription for drivers to take advantage of benefits like parking mode, unlimited cloud storage, and GPS tracking. 

For those who wish to avoid monthly subscription fees at all costs, Nexar offers our Basic Plan for $0 per month – which still gives users WiFi access to their footage as well as Automatic Incident Detection.

However, to unleash the full potential of your Nexar connected dash cam, we highly suggest experiencing our LTE Connection Plan membership, which provides and powers additional features like remote live streaming, 24/7 Parking Mode, unlimited cloud storage, GPS tracking, and automatic emergency alerts. 

Memory

Most dash cams require a memory card (also known as an SD card), which comes at a separate charge. Dash cams also have varying capacities of internal memory – the more you need to record, the higher capacity you will need. 

It’s important to choose a dash cam with plenty of internal memory or a memory card with plenty of storage space. Or, you can also choose a dash cam that offers cloud storage, but this will also come with a small monthly fee.

Through the LTE Connection Plan subscription (priced $9.99 per month), drivers get unlimited cloud storage and automatic cloud backup of critical footage. You’ll never have to worry about storage capacity and memory maintenance ever again with Nexar. Just subscribe and put memory capacity out of your mind.

Are Dash Cams Worth It?

At the end of the day, are dash cams worth it? Well, that’s completely up to you. If you drive as a vocation or if you live in a boisterous metropolitan area, having a dash cam can be invaluable for protection and security. For professional drivers, a dash cam is pretty much a must-have. For professional drivers and fleets, we recommend Nexar One, which covers the road ahead as well as the cabin. You can also add our rear dash cam for 3-channel coverage.

Is a dash cam worth it? Having a dash cam comes with a certain amount of peace of mind – and driving without one on today’s roads might be seen as rolling the dice or taking a chance. 

For drivers on a budget looking for exceptional coverage, we recommend either beam2 or beam2 mini – both fully capable of providing best-in-class coverage and protection while being cost-efficient dash cams. With features like remote live streaming, 24/7 parking mode, unlimited cloud storage, and auto backup of critical footage, beam2 and beam2 mini still provide the best the dash cam world has to offer a driver.

Nexar Connected Dash Cams – Truly Worth the Investment

Whether you’re looking for frontview, cabin view, or rear view, Nexar covers all of the bases, providing single and multi-channel dash cam systems that keep our drivers covered on the road and while parked.

Nexar connected dash cams provide drivers with the following smart features:

• 24/7 Parking Mode
• GPS Tracking
• Remote Live Streaming
• Real-Time Emergency Alerts
• Rear Camera Compatibility

A Nexar dash cam can be a worthwhile investment for insurance and security purposes. Joining the robust Nexar ecosystem provides drivers with a more connected driving experience – and you can’t really put a price tag on that sort of support when it matters the most.

You never know when a collision or an event can occur. Having a second pair of eyes on you and your vehicle at all times will give you peace of mind and control over what happens after an event or incident.

If you’d like to learn more about Nexar and how we provide more connected driving experiences on the road, visit GetNexar.com today. Nexar, for drivers who never cut corners when it comes to vehicle protection.