There’s no place like home and as such it’s worth investing in decent security locks to protect your house and the things you keep in it.
The front door lock is your first defence against intrusion, vandalism and theft, so you want a high-quality door locking mechanism secured to a solid door and frame. If there’s any damage to the frame, lock or door, it may be time to replace it.
Door locks are covered on house insurance but you may need to specify the type of locks you have fitted when you fill out the application form for your home insurance. It’s worth taking a careful look at your locks because your claim could be refused if you put down the wrong information.
Some insurers need to know what measures you’ve put in place to prevent break-ins and keep your home secure. Knowing that you’ve installed quality locks and security devices will help them to calculate your premium and may mean you’ll pay less for your cover.
Certain types of lock are insurance-approved, especially if they have been fitted by a professional locksmith. Look for the British Standard Institute (BSI) Kitemark, which indicates that all parts of the lock assembly have been vigorously tested.
Check to see what type of door and window locks are recommended by your insurance provider. Most insurers will require a door lock with at least five locking points.
When you take out contents cover with Saga Home Insurance, we won’t ask you to specify which locks you have if the sum insured is less than £75k.
For contents insurance over £75k, we will ask if you have either a 5-lever mortice deadlock, rim automatic deadlock with key or a multi-point locking system with 3 or more points and whether accessible windows have key operated locks.
We’ve compiled a handy list to help with your front door lock insurance requirements and for you to find the best window lock for the job.
These are fitted to uPVC doors and feature at least three locking points including a couple of top and bottom bolts that all operate together when the key is turned. Make sure you lift the handle to double lock the door at night or when you’re going out. Look for BSIS007 or SS312.
These are mounted on the inside of doors that open inwards. The cylinder inside the lock is linked to the keyhole on the outside of the door, locking it more securely from the inside. You don’t often see deadlatches on their own – they’re usually paired with a mortice deadlock for extra security. The most common form of the deadlatch is the night latch. With these, the door locks as soon as it’s closed. If you’re inside, you turn the latch to open the door. If you’re outside, you need the key. These are most often used in flats and student accommodation.
Sliding door locks can be used for glass, aluminium or wooden doors. Your patio door lock should include anti-lift push lock mechanisms, so the door panel can’t be taken out of the frame.
Mainly fitted to uPVC doors, garages or sheds, these type of locks are controlled by a series of pins that align when the key is turned. Look for the top grade Sold Secure SS312 Diamond cylinder, which is the equivalent of the BSI Kitemark.
This type of lock is commonly used to secure wooden doors both at the front and back of the house. The lock consists of a metal block with three or more levers that sits within the door cavity. The BSI recommends the five-lever lock, bearing standard number BS3621 on the panel.
How do I know if my door lock conforms to BS3621?
Check the faceplate of the lock for the BSI Kitemark. It should also be engraved with standard number BS3621 and the number of levers the lock has. Items marked with BS3621 have also undergone anti-burglary tests including drilling.
Operated by a smartphone or fob, these should be combined with a mortice deadlock for insurance purposes. Look for models BS8621 and BS10621.
Sliding bolts at the top and bottom of the door can provide extra security.
A lock that has met the requirements of Secured by Design, which works to improve the security of buildings. These locks, doors and windows have Police Preferred Specification (PAS) status and are marked PAS 24: 2022 or equivalent.
Most insurance companies require window locks to be fitted at ground-floor level. Key-operated locks are preferred, which are mounted onto the window frame.
Keyed locks, latches or pin locks are often fitted to sash or hung windows. Sliding windows have a lock that’s embedded in the track and for casement windows, look for a folding lock that’s built-in to the frame.
You can also prevent a window from being opened wide enough for someone to fit through with a bolt fitted inside frame called a window wedge.
For more information on home safety measures, take a look at our home security checklist.
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