Garage insurance
Garage insurance could cover the physical structure of your garage – as well as the items you keep in it – against fire, theft, flooding and malicious damage.
Garage insurance could cover the physical structure of your garage – as well as the items you keep in it – against fire, theft, flooding and malicious damage.
What is garage insurance?
Garage insurance could cover your garage building and its contents against unforeseen events like flooding, fire, storm damage and theft.
If the garage is attached to your house or it’s in the grounds of your property, then it’s likely to be covered by your home insurance. If it’s a separate structure that’s not on your property, you might need to pay extra to cover it or take out a separate policy.
Always check your policy for any exclusions so you’re clear about what you can and can’t claim for.
Do I need a separate garage insurance policy?
It depends where your garage is.
If it’s attached to, or in the grounds of, your home, then it should be covered by your home buildings and contents insurance. That means you won’t need a separate policy. If it’s a separate structure in the grounds of your property, it might be considered an outbuilding.
If you have a lock-up garage away from your home, it might not be covered under your home insurance but you may be able to add cover for an extra cost.
If that’s not possible, you might need a separate garage insurance policy to cover your garage. Unfortunately, Compare the Market doesn’t compare standalone garage insurance, so you may need to shop around.
Do I need contents insurance for my garage?
Even if your garage feels more like a dumping ground than a treasure chest, the gardening equipment, tools and bicycles you keep inside it can add up in value.
The good news is that the contents of your garage are likely to be protected by your home contents insurance.
If you keep anything in your garage that’s worth more than the single item limit specified on your content insurance policy, you’ll need to list it separately to make sure it’s covered.
And remember that while contents insurance might cover bicycles when they’re inside your garage, you’ll need to add personal possessions cover to insure them when you’re out and about.
How much should I insure my garage contents for?
That depends on what you have stored inside. You’ll need to work out the value of your garage contents in the same way you do the contents of your home.
If it’s a while since you’ve done this, it’s a good idea to recalculate as the impact of inflation will have made it more expensive to replace everything.
Once you have an overall value, compare that against the cover limit of your content insurance policy. That will help you work out if you need to add extra cover to your existing policy or perhaps buy a separate policy.
What isn’t covered by garage insurance?
Exclusions to your policy will depend on your provider, although garage insurance doesn’t usually cover:
- Unlocked garages.
- Accidental damage – this isn’t typically included as standard with home insurance, but you may be able add this cover for an extra cost. If your policy does include it and you have a garage that’s considered an outbuilding, check the level of cover. It might not be the same as it is for your home.
- Wear and tear – gradual deterioration of your garage, because of weathering for example, won’t be covered by your insurance, so keep it well-maintained.
- Your vehicle – or anything in it.
- Key cover – if you have cover for replacement keys for your home, this may not cover replacements for your garage or outbuildings.
- Bicycles when you’re out and about – you’ll need to add personal possessions cover to your contents insurance to ensure they’re covered. Electric bikes may be excluded altogether by some providers, so double check.
Is my car covered by garage insurance when parked inside?
No, garage insurance won’t cover any motor vehicles parked inside. You’ll need to claim on your car insurance or motorbike insurance for any accidental damage caused to your vehicle inside the garage or if it’s stolen from the garage.
If you’ve declared your vehicle off the road – or SORN – note that you won’t be covered for damage or theft, even if it’s stored securely in your garage.
How much does garage insurance cost?
Garage insurance is typically part of your buildings and contents insurance, so isn’t priced separately. How much you pay will depend on factors including where you live, the value of your contents and the rebuild value of your home.
Compare the Market doesn’t offer standalone garage insurance.
How can I reduce the cost of garage insurance?
To help cut the cost of insuring your garage as part of your home insurance, try to be as accurate as possible when estimating the value of its contents. If you underestimate, you risk being under-insured. But overestimate and you could end up paying more for contents insurance than you need to.
Improving the security of your garage might also help reduce the cost of your home insurance.
See more on how to save money on your home insurance.
How to keep your garage secure
It’s important to keep your garage securely locked, particularly if it provides an entry to your house via an internal door. According to the Metropolitan Police, burglars will usually break into your garage or shed first, because that’s where they’ll find the tools to help them break into your home.
There’s a number of ways you can secure your garage. Here are some of them:
Get an extra lock
As well as strengthening your doors, garage defenders are a visible deterrent to thieves. Several types are available, from T-bar defenders that bolt to the floor, to key bolts and block locks. If you have a bike, it’s a good idea to secure it to the ground or a lockable stand inside your locked garage.
Keep it locked
Don’t leave your garage open while you’re not around. An opportunist thief could steal something while you’ve nipped into the house.
Install an alarm
Wireless sensor alarms will send you an alert when a door or window is opened. You can pick one up online.
Keep your garage well-lit
Motion sensor lights will turn on whenever they sense movement. The latest models will also send an alert to your phone, allowing you to check who’s there. Lights along your driveway could help you when arriving home at night, as well as deterring criminals.
Opt for a gravel drive
Looking to resurface your driveway? The noise gravel makes underfoot can act as a deterrent to burglars. You may also want to think about garden security, such as fences and shrubbery planted at the borders of your property.
Protect and cover any windows
Any openable garage windows should have window locks and ideally reinforced glass. Conceal windows with blinds or frosted window film so thieves can’t see inside.
Alternatively, drape an old sheet or blanket over any valuable items, like mowers or bikes.
What do I need to get a home insurance quote?
You may be able to get the cover you need for your garage by comparing home insurance policies with us. We’ll ask you a few questions about yourself and your property, including:
- Your current home insurance policy details
- The rebuild value of your home
- The level of cover you need.
Once you’ve answered the questions, we’ll find you a list of quotes to choose from, including optional extras you might want to add. Always check policy exclusions so you’re not caught by surprise if you need to make a claim.
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We compare prices 90 home insurance products[4] from leading providers.
[4] Correct as of September 2024.
What our expert says...
“The value of all the things we keep in our garages can really add up, so it’s important to check your policy and make sure you have the cover you need. Remember to tell your insurance provider exactly where your garage is, or you may not be covered.”
- Anna McEntee, Home, pet and travel insurance expert
