What Are Insurance Graded Locks?

BS3621

A lot of people that require the services of a locksmith do so because their insurance company has told them they need to upgrade their locks before they can be insured. There is a minimum standard of locks that is required not only to ensure the security of your property but to satisfy insurers that you have taken steps to ensure that your home or business is secure. So, what are insurance graded locks?

Door Locks

If your unsure that your door locks meet insurers criteria then you need to check for the kite mark, British standard BS3621. If you have a wooden door then this can be found on the faceplate of the lock or on the front barrel depending on whether it is a deadlock or rim deadlock. If your locks don’t meet the minimum standard, then it is a good idea to call in locksmith to upgrade them.

If you have uPVC doors or a wooden door that requires the handle to be lifted to lock the door then it is likely you will be covered by your insurance as these are multi point locks which means that they lock at 3 or more different point making them quite hard to open the door with force. With this said the increased use of a technique called lock snapping by burglars means that not all locks are that are supplied with uPVC doors are as safe as you might think. Although you may be covered by insurance standard’s it might be worth having your locks upgraded to snap safe locks for the extra peace of mind that your locks are as secure as can be.

Window Locks

If, from the inside, your windows can be opened with out the use of a key or specific tool then you will definitely need to upgrade your window locks and handles. This is a simple job however it is best to call in a locksmith to help out as some windows require different sizes.

The reason that insurers are so strict with the type of locks you have is not only to make sure potential intruders have a difficult time getting into your home but also to make sure that they can’t easily exit your property from the inside. For example, it is far easier to leave with a large amount of goods through a large window or door than it would be from the point of entry, such as a broken window!

Another key piece of advice would be to never leave keys in the locks or on display such as on a key rack, keep keys on your keyring and store them in a safe place.

If you need your door or window locks upgrading, then contact Easy Pickings Locksmiths today – 0113 805 0761

 

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