New research has uncovered a surprising trend for UK drivers: parking your car in a garage overnight may result in higher car insurance premiums. Contrary to popular belief, households with garages can face insurance costs averaging £790, which is £24 more than those who park elsewhere, according to data from Go Compare.
On average, drivers who park in garages pay £647 for their car insurance, compared to £623 for those who park overnight in other locations. When opting for third-party only coverage, the charge can increase by an additional £54 for garage parkers, pushing the total to around £790. Meanwhile, motorists parking outside garages typically face costs around £736.
Tom Banks, car insurance spokesperson at Go.Compare, shed light on this counterintuitive finding: “Car insurance is generally cheaper for vehicles parked in secure locations, so it may be surprising that garage parking leads to higher premiums. One reason could be the increasing size of modern cars, making it difficult to fit inside garages without causing scrapes or bumps. These minor damages can result in more claims, thereby driving premiums up.”
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Despite this, Banks emphasizes that security should still be the priority when choosing where to park: “Parking in a garage minimizes the risk of theft, reducing the likelihood of having to make a claim. Parking in less secure places might save money on premiums but could increase the risk of theft or damage, potentially raising costs in the long run.”
Ultimately, the best parking choice balances security and minimizing damage risk, even if it means slightly higher insurance premiums. For many drivers, keeping their vehicle safe in a garage remains the smarter long-term option.