Auto Insurance: Parking Outside vs. Parking In the Garage

Please contact a licensed insurance company for advice specific to your situation.

Q: I don’t have a garage because I live in an apartment, but I told my insurance company the car was garaged. Will my insurance company still cover my vehicle if they find out it wasn’t garaged?

AIS Answer: The basic rule when it comes to insurance, tell the truth. An insurance company will always be happy to take your word for it, and your money, but, when it comes time for them to payout a claim they will do their best to get out of it.

The nature of the insurance business is to make money, and making money requires collecting it (from drivers) and keeping (not paying every claim that comes across their desk). Something as simple as saying you park your car in a garage could result in a denied claim.

Let’s say you park your car outside your apartment and it gets vandalized, or stolen. This likely would not have happened if the vehicle was located in a locked garage right? The insurance company will wonder this themselves and if they find out that your vehicle was not garaged then you may be facing a denied claim.

It’s always a smart idea to give your insurance company the correct information. This includes where you live, where you park your vehicle, your driving record, and who’s driving it. If the insurance company finds any negative information through their own means (MVR Report) you’re very likely to get a cancellation notice.

Contact your insurance company or a licensed agent in your area and go over the pro’s and con’s of garage/open parking and they may even tell you it doesn’t affect your premium too much, but, they will all tell you that it’s important the insurance company knows the facts.



Start Your Auto Insurance Quote

Do You Currently Have Auto Insurance? /
Enter Your Zip Code:

Related Articles

  • The Garage or The Street - Should I Tell My Insurance Company Where I Park My Car?
  • Low Ball Auto Insurance Estimate From Insurance Company
  • If a car hits me and I’m parked on the wrong side of the road will insurance still cover my car?
  • Driver Who Hit My Car Didn’t Have Insurance And I Had To Pay
  • Garage Door Closed On Car
  • 3 Responses to “Auto Insurance: Parking Outside vs. Parking In the Garage”

    1. You should park in a garage if you have it. If you don’t you should probably let your insurance company know. It just makes sense.

    2. I park outside and say I park in a garage, even when I didn’t have a garage to park in. It just seems unecessary to pay extra.

    3. if you don’t have a garage, let your insurance company know.

    Leave a Reply