Insurance

Should an auto backup camera be on your shopping list? Sometimes it may be referred to as a rear view camera, but it is basically the same product. So no matter what kind of vehicle you drive-from a small car up to an RV or even if you tow a trailer behind one of them, there are at least four good reasons for buying this product. Those reasons pertain to accidents, insurance, backing up, and parallel parking. This article with explore those reasons and give suggestions on what to look for when shopping.

Avoid accidents, especially deadly ones If you drive a van or an SUV, you probably bought it for safety in case of a traffic accident. But there was a trade off-what you gained in traffic safety, you lost to their large blind spots. The rear view and side view mirrors just can't reveal that toddler playing innocently directly behind you or at either edge of the rear bumper. This is true of all vehicles. It's just that with the larger vehicles, those areas are larger.

Avoid rising insurance premiums This is just a natural consequence of accidents. An auto rear view camera should at least diminish accidents that result from backing up. Besides the insurance cost, you are out the use of your vehicle while repairs are made. Or-worst case scenario-having to replace a vehicle that's been totaled.

Diminish backing up frustrations How many times have you done everything you could to make sure no one was behind you before backing out of that spot in a busy parking lot? You checked the rear and side view mirrors, turned around to make sure no one was behind you only to discover that someone was either in the blind spot or just entered it. An auto backup camera mounted at the rear would have transmitted that information to the dashboard-mounted monitor, without all the hassle.

If you drive an RV, you know how useful it would be to be able to guide this large vehicle into a camping space without putting a scratch on it.

Trying to back that boat and trailer into a launch ramp becomes easier with this product.

Makes parallel parking easier The challenge of all parking is parallel-pulling up just right, backing up and angling it in just right when you can't even see where the curb is-you know the frustration. The rear view camera let's you see not only where the curb is but any other obstacle that might be lurking behind you.

Now that you've decided that it would be extremely useful, you wonder about the cost. You can probably find a quality system for around $200. Of course it depends on the size of the vehicle it is to go on, whether it is hardwired or wireless, and whether you get it with a night vision illumination. If you decide to get night vision, 20-45 feet illumination is recommended.

An RV, SUV, van or truck require a different system than you'd use for a smaller car. Some RVs come with an auto backup camera as standard equipment.

Hardwired is less expensive than wireless but is more difficult to install, and that increases its cost. So don't forget to ask about the installation cost for each type then figure than in with its total cost.

So what kind of money are we talking about? You can probably find a good quality system that will last you for several years for about $200.

Before you decide on a system, ask friends or people you know who have one what they would recommend. Then check out the consumer reviews on the different systems you are interested in.

Compare prices at auto parts stores and online retailers. Then make your decision. You'll have to admit that $200 is a small price to pay for peace of mind in avoiding accidents and rising insurance premiums as well as easing the frustrations of backing up and parallel parking.