The dashcam only offers safety benefits when riding. But there is, unfortunately, a black spot that is important to take into account.

The camera is a high-tech and valuable object that, just like auto-radios or GPS, attract thieves when they are left prominently in a car.

What is a dashcam?

 A dashcam is a small camera embedded in your car. She films and records everything that happens outside and around the cabin.

 This road safety accessory fulfills the function of "driving recorder". It looks like a small box that is placed on the windshield or on the dashboard of the car.

This funny name comes from "dashboard camera. Manufacturers or distributors call it an "onboard camera"

What are the onboard cameras used for?

A dashcam is used to record all the visual information about your car journeys.

It films everything in video format that the driver sees. Some cameras split with a camera in the front of the vehicle and another in the back.

Some cameras also have a "parking" mode.

They then become real surveillance systems by movement or shock detector, during the duration of your parking. So, when a person approaches or touches the car, the camera automatically engages and films what is happening around the vehicle.

The best performing cameras can also have a GPS to indicate routes of your car or issue danger alerts. The interest is mainly to attest the geolocation, the speed of movement of your car, the date and time of the shots. 

How does a dashcam work?

The dashcam is simply installed next to or under the rearview mirror of your car.

It is connected by a cable and a USB plug to the cigarette lighter.

Video recordings are viewed directly on the device via a small screen. They can also be transmitted to your smartphone via a wireless connection (wifi).

Dashcam and insurance

Auto insurances and judges recognize as evidence the images of an onboard camera since they are geolocated and dated.

Nevertheless, these are proofs among others. They are neither less nor more valuable than all the other elements that the people involved in an accident can provide, including the police report, the amicable report, direct testimony or photos taken with smartphones.

Using a dashcam in case of an accident

In case of an accident, an onboard camera allows you to quickly provide images to the authorities or your insurer.

These may include proof that you are not responsible for an accident or damage to your car. In this way, you can consider compensation for your damage without the possibility for your opponent to invoke shared wrongs.

With the onboard camera, you can also prove a possible parking accident, hit-and-run or the deliberate will of a pedestrian or cyclist to cause a collision to get repairs.

Here are some savvy Tips to Keep Your Dash Cam Safe and Secure     

Do not leave your dashcam in the car

There is no secret, the best solution, which is infallible, is, of course, to choose an easily removable model and take it with you when you leave the vehicle. It is a habit that many have taken with their car radio or GPS. Just as you do not leave your cell phone, tablet, computer or anything else of value in your car, do the same with your dashcam. It's a reflex to take quickly.

Most spy cameras are mounted on a stand that can easily be removed. Simply unplug it and remove it from its base. The support, meanwhile, remains fixed in the car, so you will not have to redo the settings of the angle of view.

The discretion of a dashcam

And because forgetting can always happen, having a camera as discreet as possible will minimize the risk of theft. For this avoid flashy models, bulky, or with the mention "DASHCAM" written in very large above. A big lens or an LED lit when you are parked can also attract the eye. 

So if you have the option of leaving your camera 24 hours a day in your car, opt for a model as small and discreet as possible.

Make your dashcam more discreet

If however, you have flashed on a well-seeing model it is still possible to customize a little to make it more discreet.

If an LED remains lit when your car is stationary and it cannot be turned off, a small piece of black tape or scotch of electrician will make disappear this bad signal.

If the aesthetics of the camera is too bright, a few markers or a little paint will make it all much more discreet.

But these solutions are still to use with caution because they may present problems in case of warranty of the device or for resale. In this case, the use of plastic dip can be a good thing.

The plastic dip is an elastomeric liquid coating. It has the advantage of being applied to many media and especially to be easily removed without leaving traces. But again we insist that the best solution to avoid theft is to not leave the camera in a car when you are not there.