Let’s say that you’ve been shopping around for cheaper home insurance lately and you found a question that stumped you – something along the lines of ‘are the locks on your access doors and windows approved to BS3621 standards?’ Do the quality of your door locks really matter when it comes to home insurance? And how do you know if those door and window locks are going to improve (or worsen) your insurance rates?
We’ll talk you through the British Standard regulations, explaining why having certain types of door locks will be a big green tick when it comes to home insurance – and why certain types are worth avoiding.
Once you become an accredited locksmith on one of our MPL Locksmith Training Courses, you’ll be able to pass on all of this crucial information to your customers with confidence.
Which Types of Door Lock Are Accepted by UK Insurers?
Fit the right type of door lock in your home and, generally speaking, you’ll notice a discount on your home insurance policies. The door locks we’re about to discuss are recognised for their quality by insurance providers for a reason: they’re reliable, safe, and they meet the level of security expected for your home.
British Standard (BS) 3621 locks are the type of locks that insurance providers like to see in UK homes. BS3621 locks have been designed, tested, and approved to meet the minimum security standards, as set out by the BS3621 assessment. These locks are respected in the industry for the anti-theft protection they offer and, for that reason, home insurers will consider the chances of a break-in far less likely.
These locks aren’t designed to or built to any standard set by insurers. They’re designed to British Standards, and their quality is simply recognised by home insurance providers.
If you don’t have BS3621 locks fitted into your doors at home, then it isn’t necessarily an urgent priority. But during the next repair or upgrade, you should absolutely consider investing in these super-safe, insurance-approved locks.
How Can You Tell if You Have BS3621 Door Locks?
The good news is that BS3621 locks aren’t too difficult to identify. One of the quickest ways to discover whether or not your locks meet BS3621 is to inspect the plate of the lock for the British Standard Institution (BSI) Kitemark.
To begin with, you’ll be able to see a large and obvious kite sign, engrained into the metal. The kite can look slightly like a heart. Below that, you’ll also be able to see the unmistakeable BS3621 script, which may also have a number after it depending on the year.
Take a quick look at the script on your door locks to discover whether or not your locks meet BS3621, and how much of an impact that may be having on the price of your home insurance.
If you’re really unsure or finding it difficult to establish the script on your lock, then a locksmith in your area will be happy to quickly identify the type of lock on your door.
The Different Types of BS3621 Locks
Throughout commercial and residential properties in the United Kingdom, many different types of locks are used. Only a few of them meet BS3621.
The locks that you need to know about are:
- BS3621 Mortice SashLock and Mortice Deadlocks
- BS3621 Euro Deadlock and Sashlock
- BS3621 Rim Cylinder Locks
As you may already be aware, there are several different types of Mortice locks. But in order to meet BS3621, Mortice deadlocks are required to use at least 5 different levers. On top of that, it needs to have anti-pick qualities and hard plates that protect the lock from drilling as well.
As you can see, sometimes with Mortice locks, it can be a little more complex than simply identifying the famous symbol on the lock.
Other Insurance Approved Locks
There are some other locks that do meet the requirements for insurance. Look out for the TS007 kitemark. Locks with this specification are also insurance approved, but are only guaranteed to protect against lock-snapping if they meet certain criteria. When looking for the kitemark on the lock, there should also be a number of stars. A three-star rating means that the lock is protected against lock snapping.
One of the most common insurance approved locks with this rating is the TS007 Snap Safe Euro Cylinder.
BS3621 and MPL Locksmith Training
If you’re looking for a career change and considering training to become a locksmith, then what better time is there than now? Our courses accommodate trainee locksmiths from all walks of life, and we have a range of training courses to suit everybody.
No matter which course you decide to enrol in, you’ll be well educated in the different types of locks used in British homes, the safest ones on the market, and the standards that matter throughout the industry.
Contact us today to find out which course might suit you best, and our friendly staff will be happy to get you booked on to the right locksmith training course for you.
