New research has shown that car insurance customers are increasingly converting their garages so that there vehicles can no longer be stored in them.
A report from Santander Mortgages found that 1.1 million garage owners in the UK have already converted them, or plan to do so in the future.
In fact, the statistics suggest that only 34 per cent of garages are now used for parking a vehicle, with 24 per cent of owners planning to convert theirs into offices or studios.
Phil Cliff, director of mortgages at Santander, said: "For many people garages have lost their original purpose. Cars are far more reliable and robust these days and most homeowners are happy to keep them outside on the driveway.
"But for a relatively modest investment garages can be transformed into a space that far better matches our current needs. For many homeowners maximising their current space is a far more affordable and convenient option than moving home ."
AA Insurance recently warned that keys to garages should be kept in a safe place as vehicles could be vulnerable to theft if the keys are found during a home burglary .




