Due to the ongoing cost-of-living situation, homeowners across the nation are continuing to search for ways to minimise their monthly outgoings.
As well as reducing energy usage and trimming back on shopping bills, one area that many people may not have considered is their home insurance, which costs an average of £294 per year for UK households. Luckily, there are things you can do.
In this guide, we’ll explore the small changes you can make to your doors and windows in order to reduce the amount you pay for your home insurance.
Meeting basic home insurance requirements
A common question asked by many home insurance companies is ‘what type of door locks do you have on your property?’ How you answer this will influence how much you are charged for your insurance premium and may, in some cases, result in your application being turned down altogether.
If you’ve done your homework and have already installed insurance-approved front door locks, then it’s highly likely that you’ll save a significant amount on your insurance payments. The best locks are those conforming to BS3621, which is the British Standards Institute lock standard for thief-resistant locks. Locks that conform to BS3621 are identifiable by a BSI kitemark and the number stamped onto the forend plate.
What types of locks are approved by home insurance providers?
To reduce the risk of paying higher premiums for your home insurance, it is recommended that you have British standard locks fitted to all of your external doors and windows. The following types of locks are approved by the majority of home insurers.
Multipoint locking systems
As their name suggests, multipoint locking systems have three unique locking points that lock simultaneously when the key is turned. These locking points are typically located at key level, as well as the top and bottom of the door frame, to provide greater protection for UPVC doors.
The cylinder that controls multipoint locks should be 3-star TS 007 Kitemark approved or higher. These cylinders have several layers of built-in protection as standard and have undergone rigorous testing before being approved to TS 007.
Cylinders that meet the MLA’s Sold Secure Diamond (SS312) standard will also achieve this level of protection and are Secured by Design (Police) approved. “Diamond” approved is Master Locksmith Association-recommended for maximum security.
The difference between TS007 and SS312 is the degree of testing they are put through to pass the required standard. As the highest level of approval for lock cylinders, SS312 Diamond approved locks are designed to withstand break-in attempts from a larger list of tools.
Five lever mortice deadlocks
Typically found on wooden doors, five lever mortice deadlocks feature five levers that will all move to a locked position with the turn of a key. Their sturdy, intelligent design makes them extremely difficult to break via both picking and drilling techniques.
Five lever mortice locks are best used alongside timber doors.
Night latches
As these are mounted onto a door rather than morticed into its side, night latches are best used in conjunction with the aforementioned five lever mortice deadlocks. However, a British standard nightlatch, such as the Yale PBS1, can be used on its own. The best quality night latches will have features that allow you to lock your door from the inside, which infinitely increases your home security.
Key operated window locks
As with doors, home insurers often require windows to have a certain level of protection. The most commonly approved type of window lock is one that is key operated, so your windows can be properly sealed when not in use. If you’re applying for home insurance, most providers will expect all downstairs windows to be fitted with a functioning internal lock.
Can an insurer reject my claim?
If your property is broken into despite having the right locks installed, there’s still a chance that your claim won’t be paid. This can occur in cases where you’re unable to demonstrate forced entry or have left your home’s doors and windows open for easy access.
Some policies may also require you to let your insurance company know when you’re going to be away from your property for a prolonged period of time, with a failure to do so invalidating any claim you make.
To avoid coming up short, be sure to read all terms and conditions when your claim is accepted.
Helping you meet insurance requirements for door locks
At Doorfit, we have a long history of supplying and installing high-quality window and door hardware for both domestic and commercial customers.
If you’re looking to save on the cost of your home insurance whilst ensuring you have the right hardware fitted to stay insured, speak to a member of our team today about our range of insurance-approved door locks. From mortice locks and night latches to key operated locks for windows, we’ve got the perfect solution for your requirements.