Originally Posted by oledoc2u
Don't know of any laws like that. You can't secretly video tape someone to entrap them, such as a setup of some type,, but you can video tape in general. You can use video to secure your home. I have them all around mine when my son's car was vandalized. He was caught and recieved the fullest sentenance the judge could impose. You can imagine why. Video is the best witness money can buy, and it gives you peace of mind knowing you will catch the bad guy if something should happen. I can pull mine up while on the road, from my TV's in the house, or right now while typing to you....
Each state has differing laws. In Illinois, at least to my local police department's chief, the allowance for say video taping your kids in the park with a handheld and getting other people on camera doesn't apply to mounted cameras. If I had a driveway and it was parked in it, I could video tape the driveway, but since my car sits on the street, I can't for some reason. It's a ridiculous law but one that's apparently there for people's privacy. I only think it protects the douchebag that keeps breaking things on my car.
Yerdsyerds, fyi, I think there's a system that insurance companies use to decide if they total out a car. Something like 50% of the estimated value. I don't know exacts, I just remember talking to my grandfather about it. Maybe someone on here knows specifics.