Smart locks may be becoming more mainstream, but when it comes to comparing home insurance deals, how does your front door lock impact how much you pay? Not only can changing locks on front doors affect your insurance premiums but it can also give you the peace of mind that your home is more secure. So how do locks affect your insurance premiums and can upgrading your locks benefit you?
What are digital locks?
Digital locks allow keyless entry into your home and use a unique code, WiFi or Bluetooth connection to function. Digital locks remove the need for a key and are perfect for high traffic areas, because you don’t need to worry about having multiple keys floating around or dealing with broken keys in the lock. A digital lock may also be a smart lock, which can be unlocked using a smartphone app or a fob, and even unlock automatically when you approach the door.
Are digital door locks safe?
Digital locks are safe and secure, but just like any type of lock, they can be vulnerable to attack. Smart locks improve front door security because they’re far safer than risking your key being lost or stolen, and they can alert you when the door opens and closes.
Smart locks are also typically integrated into a wider security system, such as connecting to your home alarm system or smart doorbell, which offers even more security for your property and visibility wherever you are.
To improve the protection of your digital lock, use a unique and strong password, use it in tandem with a mortice deadlock, and ensure you’re using a highly rated lock. The best smart locks UK suppliers offer start at around £90 but can reach upwards of £300, depending on the style you use.
Can smart locks affect your home insurance?
Smart locks don’t currently affect your home insurance, since this is still relatively new technology, but they do help to make your home more secure. However, there are a select few specialist smart home insurance policies available that do take these types of devices into account when calculating your home insurance costs.
Smart home systems can comprise a variety of devices, from locks and alarms to video cameras and security sensors, all of which can be used to make your home safer and better protected. Some insurers can take these into account to give you a quote that represents the higher level of security your home has in place.
In most cases, providing a mortice lock is used with your smart lock, it will neither reduce nor increase your home insurance premiums. But the best course of action is to speak with your insurance provider to check what their policy is on smart locks and whether it could have a positive effect on your premiums, as policies are continually changing to take new technology into account.
Can approved door locks provide cheaper home insurance?
When you apply for home insurance, you’ll usually have to specify which types of locks you have on your external doors and windows. The most secure locks will meet the British Standard BS3621, and having industry-approved locks fitted in your home can sometimes help to bring your premiums down.
There are specific locks that insurance companies will look for that are approved for safety reasons. These include the five-lever mortice deadlock, which is commonly used on doors for the security it provides, and key operated multi-point locking systems which are often found on uPVC doors. Rim automatic dead latch, or night latch, locks are also approved but most insurers prefer this type of lock to be used in conjunction with another lock type for extra measure.
Ultimately, the more secure your home is and the more systems you have in place to reduce the risk of a claim, the less risk there is for an insurance company to insure your property. If your property doesn’t have secure locks in place, now may be a good time to change the locks and inform your insurance provider of the switch.
Home insurance companies are only interested in the level of risk a property poses, so if your home is harder to break into due to more secure locks, that can go in your favour when it comes to an insurance policy. But the specifics of each policy will depend on the provider, so doing your research is essential.
What’s also worthwhile is speaking to an industry specialist when it comes to choosing locks for your home. From being able to advise on the best smart locks on the market to knowing how to change locks on a front door, UK residents should seek professional expertise when it comes to upgrading their locks for a more secure home and hopefully lower insurance premiums. Check out our Keypad Locks to learn more what’s best for you.
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