Garage parking raises premiums

New research has found that using your garage as the main parking space at home can add £54 to car insurance policies.

The research, conducted by Go.Compare, reviewed the cost of policies bought through its site between May and July of this year. It found that the average cost for those who park their cars in a locked garage was £710 compared to just £656 for other home parkways.

The difference was even more apparent for fire and theft policies. The average third-party fire and theft policy costs £1,053 for those who park their car in a locked garage, while those who park elsewhere around the home pay only £875 on average.

Tom Banks, car insurance expert at Go.Compare, said: “There are various reasons why keeping your car in a garage may result in a more expensive premium. Some insurers may feel garages can pose their own security risks. If the garage is connected to your property, your car could get taken in the event of a home break-in, while if the garage is unconnected, you may be unable to hear the thief entering your car.

“Insurers may also feel the car is more likely to be damaged if you keep it in a garage. For instance, there could be a greater chance of bumps and scrapes when trying to fit today’s larger cars into small garages.”

SHARE
Share