Do People Steal Dash Cams? – 9 Ways To Keep It Safe
Do people steal dash cams? There are a lot of stories about people stealing dash cams, but it’s hard to say how common it is.
Dash cams are a great way to capture footage of accidents or crimes while you’re driving, but there’s always the risk that someone will steal it from your car.
A dash cam can be a very valuable piece of equipment, and if someone steals your dash cam, you may not have any evidence of the accident that occurred.
This could lead to increased premiums or even being denied coverage.
In this article, we will discuss the risks of having a dash cam stolen, how you can protect your investment, and more so let’s start.
Do People Steal Dash Cams?
In short, yes. People do steal dash cams. Despite what one might think, it is not a common occurrence.
There are a handful of reasons why someone might want to steal a dash cam, but the most likely scenario is that they simply want the device itself.
Dash cams can be expensive, and if someone knows that you have one, they may try to steal it for resale value or to claim the insurance.
Other reasons for dash cam theft include wanting to access the footage (for whatever purpose), or simply because the dash cam is in the way and is easier to steal than to remove.
Regardless of the reason, if your dash cam is stolen, there’s a good chance you’ll never see it again.
A dash cam with motion detection recording can help solve this problem.
If your dash cam senses movement it will start recording, so even if it is stolen the footage will still be available.
See Also: Best Place To Mount Dashcam
The Risks Of Having A Dash Cam Stolen:
While the risks of having a dash cam stolen are relatively low, consider the various strategies and techniques to try out with your car to protect the dash cam.
Ensure that you read and understand them. Although it can require a bit more work, you will ultimately save money if you do it.
Thus, there are still some things to consider.
- First and foremost, if you leave your dash cam in your car, it is important to make sure that it is properly secured. Many dash cams come with suction cups or adhesive mounts that can be used to attach the camera to the windshield or dashboard. However, if these mounts are not properly secured, a thief could easily remove the dash cam.
- Another risk to consider is the possibility of your car being broken into and the dash cam being stolen along with other valuables. If you have valuable items in your car, it is important to make sure that they are properly secured and hidden from view.
- It is also important to consider the possibility of your dash cam being damaged or destroyed during a car break-in. While most dash cams are designed to be durable, they can still be damaged if they are not properly protected.
9 Ways To Prevent The Dashcam From Being Stolen:
Finding any strategy to lessen the likelihood that criminals will target your vehicle is crucial because more than a million vehicles are stolen annually.
The installation of a dashboard camera in your car is one common technique.
While driving, a dashcam captures images inside and outside the car.
Dashcams are wonderful for deterring car theft and helping folks attempting to figure out what happened in an accident!
This article discusses ways to prevent the dashcam from being stolen.
1. Keep Your Dashcam Hidden
This may seem like an obvious tip, but it’s worth repeating. If your dashcam is visible to would-be thieves, it’s much more likely to be stolen.
So, if possible, try to keep it hidden from view. This could mean mounting it in a less conspicuous location or using a dashcam cover.
2. Dash Camera Design
Dash cameras may be more or less of a target, depending on their design.
A typical criminal is unlikely to be an expert on dashboard cameras and is unlikely to understand the distinction between a $100 unit and a $400 model.
However, it can appear more expensive if the wedge dash cam is larger and has a screen.
- If you park your car in an area where theft is an issue, this could make it a target, so you should consider getting a model with a low profile that won’t draw as much notice.
- A suitable dash cam in this situation might be cylindrical or have a rear-view mirror.
- They might not even notice it is there because it is smaller and less apparent.
3. Use A Security Camera System
If the idea of your dashcam being stolen keeps you up at night, then a security camera system is probably a good investment for you.
That way, even if your dash cam does get swiped, you’ll still have footage of what went down.
4. Use A GPS Tracker
Another way to deter thieves is to use a GPS tracker. If your dashcam is stolen, you will be able to track it and perhaps recover it like this.
5. Use A Security Code
Most dashcams come with some kind of security features, such as a password or PIN code. If your dashcam has this feature, be sure to use it.
This will help to deter thieves and make it more difficult for them to use your dashcam if they do manage to steal it.
6. Get Insurance
If you’re worried about your dashcam being stolen, you might want to consider getting insurance. So, if your dashcam is stolen, you’ll be covered financially.
7. Lock Your Car
This may seem like another obvious tip, but it’s worth repeating. If you leave your car unlocked, it’s much easier for thieves to steal your dashcam (or anything else).
So, be sure to lock your car, even if you’re just leaving it for a minute.
8. Auto Alarm
In addition to simple precautions like avoiding leaving valuables on display, a good car alarm is a wise investment.
Although most cars have alarms from the factory, thieves can get access to the master codes and be capable of turning them off.
While aftermarket alarms can experience the same situation, it is likely that they will need access to keys for all models.
- In most circumstances, you will still hear an audio alert for a few seconds if they can’t instantly deactivate.
- This may be enough time for them to flee.
- Some alarms may notify you via a push message on your phone, which may be sufficient to alert you to an attempted car break-in.
9. Be Aware Of Your Surroundings
Lastly, it’s always important to be aware of your surroundings.
If you’re in a high-crime area or there have been recent reports of dashcam thefts, take extra precautions.
And, if you do see someone suspicious around your car, don’t hesitate to call the police.
More Tips To Prevent The Dashcam From Being Stolen:
To help prevent your dash cam from being stolen, we recommend considering a few simple tips.
- Don’t leave your dash cam in plain sight. If it’s visible, it’s more likely to be targeted by thieves.
- Consider investing in a security camera system that includes motion-activated recording. This way, even if someone does try to steal your dash cam, they’ll be caught on camera and you’ll have evidence to help identify them.
- We always recommend backing up your footage regularly. This way, even if your dash cam is stolen, you won’t lose any of the footage you’ve already captured.
See Also: Should I Hardwire My Dash Cam
Final Thoughts
Dashcam theft is a real risk that all dash cam owners need to be aware of. People steal it for many reasons, but the most common is to use it for their insurance claims or to sell it.
Parking far from prospective targets, such as schools, petrol stations, or supermarkets, is the greatest approach to deter car theft.
These places are frequently targeted by criminals searching for easy targets, like computers and purses left behind, to steal.
People exit their vehicles at the same time. If there isn’t one already, install an emergency call button close to the steering wheel since, once inside, a thief runs the chance of being apprehended before they can steal anything.
By taking a few simple precautions, you can help protect your dash cam and ensure that you always have footage of your journey.
We hope this article has been helpful. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to us. Thanks for reading!
