Over 9 million UK drivers now have a dash cam fitted in their vehicle. But will having one actually save you money on your car insurance? Here is what you need to know about dash cam insurance discounts, the best dash cams for 2026, and how to choose the right one.
15% off Nextbase dash cams. Brumble members get 15% off all single Nextbase cameras and accessories with code BRUMBLE15 at checkout (bundles excluded). Shop Nextbase with 15% off
Some insurance companies do offer discounts for drivers with dash cams, but it is not standard across the market. Whether you get a discount, and how much, depends on your insurer. The best way to find out is to declare your dash cam when getting quotes and compare car insurance from multiple providers via Brumble to see if it makes a difference to your premium.
Nextbase, the UK's best-selling dash cam brand, says some of their insurance partners offer discounted premiums to drivers using their cameras. However, direct upfront discounts are becoming less common across the wider market. Many insurers now treat dash cams as a claims benefit rather than a premium reduction.
The real value of a dash cam often comes from protecting your no claims bonus, which can be worth up to 75% off your premium after several years of claim-free driving. If your dash cam footage proves you were not at fault in an accident, that protection could save you far more than any upfront discount.
Always mention your dash cam when getting insurance quotes. List it as a modification or accessory - you might be eligible for a discount you did not know about. Some insurers may withdraw discounts if you cannot provide footage after an incident, so make sure your camera is always recording.
Even without an upfront discount, a dash cam can protect you financially. The ABI reported that insurers detected 51,700 motor fraud claims worth £576 million in 2024, with crash-for-cash scams accounting for a significant portion. Having footage of what actually happened can be the difference between losing your no claims bonus and keeping it.
Nextbase is the UK's best-selling dash cam brand. Their cameras come with features like Emergency SOS (which alerts emergency services if you are in a serious collision and cannot call for help) and MyNextbase Connect for cloud storage of footage.
Brumble members get 15% off all single Nextbase cameras and accessories. That means a Nextbase 322GW (typically around £99) comes down to around £84, and a Nextbase 522GW (typically around £169) comes down to around £143.
Use code BRUMBLE15 at checkout for 15% off all single cameras and accessories. Bundles excluded.
Shop Nextbase with 15% OffAvailable to Brumble members. Discount applies at checkout on nextbase.com. Single cameras and accessories only, bundles excluded.
If you are not yet a Brumble member, it is free to join. You will also get access to other member offers including 40% off AA breakdown cover and £5 off temporary car insurance via Cuvva. Sign up for free.
There are several types of dash cam to choose from, depending on how much coverage you want and what you are willing to spend.
| Type | What It Does | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Front-only | Records the road ahead through your windscreen | Budget-conscious drivers who want basic protection |
| Front and rear | Two cameras covering both directions. Captures tailgating and rear-end shunts | Drivers wanting full coverage - around 25% of accidents involve rear-end collisions |
| Mirror cam | Clips over your rear-view mirror with a built-in screen and rear camera | Drivers who want a discreet, neat installation |
| Wireless dash cam | Uses Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to transfer footage to your phone. Still needs a power source | Drivers who want easy access to footage without removing SD cards |
| Interior cam (3-channel) | Front, rear and interior cameras in one system | Taxi drivers, rideshare drivers and fleet vehicles |
You do not need to spend a fortune to get a reliable dash cam. Prices range from under £50 for a basic model to over £350 for premium 4K systems with all the extras. For most UK drivers, spending £100 to £200 will get you a solid camera with good footage quality, GPS and front and rear coverage.
| Budget | What You Get |
|---|---|
| Under £80 | Basic front-only, 1080p or budget 4K |
| £80 to £200 | Mid-range front and rear with GPS and parking mode |
| £200 to £350+ | Premium 4K, cloud storage, advanced features |
When budgeting, factor in the cost of a memory card (around £10 to £25 for 32-128GB) and professional fitting if you want a neat, hardwired installation. With the Brumble 15% off Nextbase offer, a mid-range camera like the 322GW comes in under £85.
If you are interested in lowering your car insurance premium, a dash cam is one of the most practical investments you can make.
A handful of brands dominate the UK dash cam market, each with a different focus.
| Brand | Known For | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Nextbase | UK market leader. Emergency SOS feature. 15% off for Brumble members | £50 to £350 |
| Road Angel | The Halo range is popular for its parking mode and speed camera alerts. Widely stocked at Halfords | £80 to £250 |
| Viofo | Excellent footage quality at mid-range prices. Highly rated in independent tests | £100 to £280 |
| Garmin | Ultra-compact designs. The Mini 3 is barely bigger than a car key fob | £100 to £200 |
| Thinkware | Premium build quality with cloud connectivity and advanced parking surveillance | £150 to £350 |
Based on independent reviews from Auto Express and other UK motoring publications, here are some of the top-rated dash cams for 2026 across different budgets.
| Model | Type | Resolution | Price From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miofive S1 | Front (rear optional) | 4K | ~£70 |
| Garmin Mini 3 | Front-only, compact | 1080p | ~£150 |
| Road Angel Halo Pro | Front and rear | 2K | ~£170 |
| Viofo A329 | Front and rear | 4K at 60fps | ~£200 |
| Nextbase iQ | Front (smart features) | 4K | ~£300 (~£255 with BRUMBLE15) |
The best car dash cam for you depends on your budget and what you need. A front and rear dash cam gives the most complete coverage, but a front-only model is a solid starting point if you are on a tighter budget. For the best experience, look for at least 1080p resolution, GPS logging and a reliable parking mode.
You can fit most dash cams yourself using the included suction mount and 12V power cable. However, for a cleaner look and reliable parking mode, professional hardwiring is worth considering. Here are your main options.
| Option | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Halfords | £25 to £70 | Over 450 UK stores. Covers front and front-and-rear setups. Mobile fitting also available. They only fit cameras bought from Halfords |
| Independent auto electricians | £40 to £80 | Will usually fit any brand. Check reviews and ask about guarantees |
| Mobile fitting services | £50 to £100 | Come to your home or workplace. Convenient but check credentials |
| DIY | Free | Fine for plug-and-play setups. Hardwiring yourself voids some warranties |
Make sure your dash cam does not obstruct your view of the road. The best position is behind your rear-view mirror, where it can record without distracting you. A poorly fitted dash cam could get you into trouble with the police.
Got your dash cam sorted? Compare car insurance quotes from 130+ UK insurers via Brumble and make sure you are getting the best price.
Compare Quotes NowYou are not legally required to declare a dash cam, but it is a good idea. Some insurers offer discounts, and if you receive one but cannot provide footage after an incident, they may withdraw it. If your dash cam is hardwired, some insurers treat this as a modification, so you should mention it.
Not necessarily. Some insurers offer a discount for dash cam users, but it is not standard across the market. The bigger financial benefit usually comes from protecting your no claims bonus by providing evidence that you were not at fault in an accident. The best way to find out if a dash cam affects your premium is to compare car insurance quotes with your dash cam declared.
Ask them directly. When you get a quote or renew, mention that you have a dash cam fitted and ask if it affects the price. If your current insurer does not offer a discount, it is worth comparing quotes from other providers via Brumble to see if another insurer values it more highly.
Use the code BRUMBLE15 at checkout on the Nextbase website. The discount applies to all single cameras and accessories. Bundles are excluded. Shop Nextbase with 15% off.
There are free apps that work as basic dash cams, but insurers generally do not accept smartphone apps for dash cam discounts. Your phone must also be mounted in a cradle - holding it while driving is illegal. A dedicated camera is more reliable and gives better footage quality.
Yes, in most cases. Around a quarter of road accidents involve rear-end collisions, which a front-only camera will not capture. A front and rear dash cam gives you complete coverage for a relatively small extra cost.
Most dash cams use loop recording, which means they automatically overwrite the oldest footage when the memory card is full. A 32GB card typically stores around two hours of 1080p footage. If the camera detects a sudden impact, it locks that clip so it cannot be overwritten.
At least 1080p (Full HD). This is sharp enough to read number plates and show road conditions clearly. 4K cameras are better but cost more and use more storage. For insurance evidence, 1080p with GPS logging is the sweet spot for most drivers.
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