The right answer is yes; predominantly all UK home insurance and content insurance policies require you to have BS3261-certified locks, particularly on all external doors and on ground-floor doors. This is in order to prevent theft or attempted theft.

Requirements of these locks must be key operated from both sides of the lock, as well as being tested against picking and drilling, and stamp a BSI Kitemark on the faceplate of the lock. Inevitably, noncompliance may invalidate any insurance claims, so please be very careful.

The key considerations for locks with BS3621:

Visibility: On the faceplate of the lock a British Standard Kitemark symbol/logo must be visible and clear. This logo of the kitemark is more often presented with “BS3621” and a year for its validity.

Applied by the type of doors: Generally speaking, such locks are usually required on all final exit doors, predominantly front and back doors, accessible and ground floor doors.

Types of Locks: Rim Cylinder Locks, meaning Night latches, 5-lever mortice locks/deadlocks and, quite recently, Euro cylinder locks that meet this standard.

Consequences: More than likely insurers will refuse to pay out for burglary or attempted burglaries if you claim to have a BS3621 on your locks but actually do not, or if your locks do not meet the standards of British Standard.

Alternatives: PAS3621 is quite often the equivalent standard for multipoint locks (UPVC doors, meaning double-glazed doors)

Standards can sometimes vary between providers; therefore, it is highly recommended to seek advice and check any specific requirements in your policy document, as this is very important.

If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us on 07377 991 577.