Choosing the Right Lock for Your Home Insurance Requirements

Expert advice from a locksmith with over 38 years of experience in the Midlands & Warwickshire. 

After spending nearly four decades in the locksmith trade across Coventry, Leicestershire, and Warwick, one thing I’ve learnt is that choosing the right door locks for your home isn’t just about security; it’s also about protecting your insurance claim.

If your insurance provider specifies that you need insurance-approved locks, additional security devices, or even a cash-rated safe, you must have them fitted, or risk being denied a payout in the event of a break-in.

Let me be blunt: in my experience, many insurers look for reasons not to pay out. I’ve seen claims rejected where entry was made through a compliant window, but the claim was denied because the door locks themselves didn’t meet BS3621 standards, even though the doors were untouched!

The first step is always to check if your door locks meet your insurance company’s standards. If you’re not sure, we offer a full home security check of your home to put your mind at ease.

UPVC or Composite Door Locks

Most UPVC and composite doors are fitted with multipoint locking systems. These typically work by:

• Lifting the handle to engage the bolts

• Turning the key to lock them in place and prevent handle movement

Variations include:

• Split spindle (fast-lock) systems: In this variation, the door latches when closed and can’t be opened from the outside, but it’s not truly locked. It will only stop an honest person from breaking into your home.

• Key-wind systems: These are found on modern full-slab composite doors with a single pull handle. You turn the key multiple times to throw the locking bolts. These look great but rely on perfect door alignment to avoid mechanism wear.

Whatever lock system you have on your composite or UPVC door, your insurer will likely require at least three locking points. If what’s currently in place doesn’t meet that standard, we can upgrade your door lock without replacing the entire door.

Wooden Door Locks

For all final exit wooden doors, insurers typically require a:

• 5-lever mortice deadlock that conforms to BS3621

• OR a BS3621 nightlatch

We carry a wide selection of 5-lever BS3621 mortice locks, all marked with the British Standard kite mark. If you need more than one fitted, we can key them alike, so one key opens all your locks.

We stock all popular types of nightlatches, including:

• Standard Yale-type

• Rollerball

• Deadlocking

• Drawback

• With or without snib

We can upgrade your existing nightlatch to a BS3621 insurance-compliant version, which in some cases means you don’t need a mortice lock fitted.

When we install a mortice lock, we remove around 20mm of timber from a standard 45mm thick door, leaving roughly 10–12mm of wood on either side. The same applies to the frame when fitting the door lock keep.

We also recommend additional protection like:

• Frame guards

• Anti-thrust plates

These are both aesthetically pleasing and available in various finishes to suit your front door.

As every home and customer is different, the simplest way to find out which door lock you need is to book a home security assessment with our mobile team.

If you only need basic security, we can supply and install high-quality standard locks for various types of doors. However, one thing I always stress: if you have a euro cylinder lock (common on UPVC and composite doors), it must be anti-snap.

Lock snapping accounts for over 90% of burglaries we attend, and we are proud to stock the highest-rated 3-star diamond standard cylinders, which are fully insurance-approved.

Windows and patio doors are often overlooked when it comes to home security and insurance compliance. Here’s how to protect them:

Lock Every Window

• Install key-operated locks on all accessible windows

Upgrade Sliding Doors

• Add anti-lift devices or auxiliary pin locks to prevent forced entry

We offer a wide range of highly secure modern and practical locks, providing a reliable service that includes the following features:

• Keyed-alike systems – one key for all locks

• 3-star high-security euro cylinders

• Restricted key duplication – only authorised people can copy keys

• Master key systems – one grand master key, with restricted access for others

• Locks and handles for users with disabilities

• Smart electronic locks – keyless and app-enabled

Take a few minutes today to walk around your home and look at your locks. Are they giving you the protection and compliance you need?

If you’re unsure, contact us for a friendly, no-obligation home security inspection. Whether you’re in Coventry, Leicestershire, Warwick, or the West Midlands, our experienced locksmiths are more than happy to help.