Insurance requirements for door locks

Making sure you have the right lock on the right door will both protect your home and make sure that you aren’t invalidating your home insurance policy. Find out more about the advantages of different types of lock.

Written by

Anna McEntee

Insurance comparison expert

Reviewed by

Rebecca Goodman

Insurance expert

Last Updated

16 MARCH 2022

4 min read

What are the different door lock types?

Keeping your house safe is a priority for many reasons, including the fact that it can help you score a discount on your home insurance premiums.

The first step towards ensuring reliable security is to choose door and window locks that will provide protection for your family, your home and its contents. This is our guide to the different types of insurance-approved house locks. If you’re still unsure what’s right for you, contact the Master Locksmiths Association for advice.

Five-lever mortice locks

A five-lever mortice lock is regarded as having a good standard of security, especially when the lock conforms to the correct British Standard (usually BS 3621). A mortice lock requires a key to open and lock it.

Multi-point locking systems

Some of the most secure locks include multi-point locking systems, in particular SS312 Diamond approved cylinders, which are usually found on uPVC and composite doors. Multi-point locks have a minimum of three locking points that all lock at the same time when you turn the key. For example, a door could lock at key level and bolt the door into the frame at the top and bottom.

If you have sliding patio doors, you may need to install an anti-lift patio lock for increased security to stop the door being lifted off its rails.

Night latches

While night latches are frequently fitted, some insurance providers may prefer that you use them in conjunction with either a five-lever mortice lock or a multi-point locking system. A night latch is a lock that’s mounted on the surface of the door, instead of being morticed into the edge of the door. Night latches can often be deadlocked.

Bolts

Door bolts are a sliding bolt for a locking door, often used at the top or bottom of doors to provide additional security.

Insurance-approved window locks

It’s not all about your doors either, it’s also important to make sure that your windows can be locked securely. Most insurance providers will ask if you have locks on your accessible windows, so it’s a good idea to fit all downstairs windows with an internal lock – and preferably locks that are key operated. The locks are often in the handle itself, especially if you have double glazing. But if you don’t have them, locks can also be fitted to the top or bottom of windows.

Insurance-approved sliding door locks

If you have French or patio doors, locks could be fitted with a central rail locking mechanism, which you’ll typically see on uPVC types of doors.

If you’re not sure what locks you have or which ones you need, it might be worth a quick call to your insurance provider. They should be able to give you advice on the best type to get, then you’re free to decide how many you need and how to have them installed.

Regardless of which types of doors and windows you’re securing, it’s always important to check the wording and requirements of your home insurance policy as they’re likely to differ among insurance providers.

Can my insurance policy be invalidated even if I have the right locks?

Even if you have secure locks fitted on all your doors and windows, if they’re left unlocked and a theft happens as a result, it’s very likely that your claim wouldn’t be paid. This is because most insurance providers insist there are signs of ‘force and violence’ used to gain entry to your home for a theft to be covered.

Insurance providers offer protection against the unforeseen, incidents that aren’t planned and where carelessness isn’t the reason for a claim. If all your windows are open on a lovely summer’s day and you nip out to the shop, it won’t take long for a thief to get in and out of your home with their pick of your belongings. If you make a claim, it’s very likely it won’t be successful, so take the time to close and lock windows and doors before you leave your house.

You’ll also need to notify your insurance provider if your home is going to be unoccupied for longer than is stated as acceptable in your policy – this is usually around 30 days. If you’re going to be away for longer, contact your insurance provider as you may be able to pay for extra cover. Alternatively, you could look for a specialist policy to protect your home.

Finding home insurance

Now that your locks are sorted, it’s time to get your home insurance taken care of. Just start a home insurance quote with us. We'll ask you some questions about you, your house (including your security features) and the contents of your home.

Once we have all the information we need, we'll get you a list of suitable insurance policies from across the market. Our results page will summarise each policy and list them in price order. You can then click through to the insurance provider’s website to access further information about the policy and buy if you want to.

Just remember that price isn’t the only thing you should be looking at when choosing a policy. The wording of the policy, and what is (and isn’t) included, is just as important. After all, you want an insurance policy that offers the cover you need, if you ever have to make a claim.

Then once you’ve bought insurance, you can sit back, safe in the knowledge that your home is as well protected as it can possibly be.