Approved locks are essential for your protection. Accredited locks ensure you and your family stay safe against unwanted visitors and a requirement for your home insurance. We will explain what to look for to make sure you meet your insurance responsibilities.
You may have seen the television advert regarding insurance companies requiring locks being to the "British standard of 3621 accreditation" to comply with home insurance policies.
As always Locksmith Rotherham are here to make this straight forward and easy for you to understand, "What is an Insurance Approved Lock?"
The British Standards Institute (BSI) awards the BS3621 standard to locks classed as “thief resistant” having passed all known prolific methods of attack used by criminals including drilling and picking the lock.
Here are some symbols you will see on all insurance approved locks. Few locks survive the test designed with the Master Locksmith Association and carried out by locksmiths. If they do pass the test they can carry the diamond symbol with the star rating. 
The official UK Police flagship initiative combining the priniciples of "designing out crime" with physical security. Locks and equipment carrying this symbol have undergone very vigorous testing.
The kitemark is the standard of excellence recognised around the world. Ultion locks are credited with the highest 3 star rating. This is the symbol most people will recognise on their insurance approved locks for doors and windows.
This lock is mostly found on UPVC doors, Composite doors, patio doors, French doors and some garage doors.
With the door closed, quickly check the area underneath where the key goes in and if that lock is not displaying at least 3 stars stamped marked in that area, then they are vulnerable to the popular method of lock snapping.
A cylinder with a 1 star stamp mark DOES NOT conform to the TS007 3 star standard and as such is vulnerable to lock snapping attack. We have an article and a few videos about anti snap locks.
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Mortice locks are found on wood doors in houses and metal doors in commercial properties.
Check the side plate on the open edge of your door to see if it bears the BS 3621 lock standard.
The kitemark and BS3621 stamp mark as well as stating it is 5 lever should be clearly visible.
The BS 3621 standard is recognised as giving the maximum protection for home and commercial use, approved by insurance companies and the police.
A mortice lock that simply states “5 levers” on the side plate and does not display the BS 3621 stamp mark still does not meet insurance and police recommendations.
Mortice locks have been the main type of door lock for a long time but they are steady making way for more modern types of lock that are proving to be more secure and convenient to the household.
Mortice locks can be replaced with euro lock type cylinders where you have the combination of uPVC or composite doors and wood doors.
This makes having locks keyed alike so you only need carry a single key to operate the front door, back door, garage and padlock.
All new uPVC and composite doors are fitted with multipoint door locks.
These mechanisms provide a locking action to multiple bolts making your door secure along the full height.
The euro cylinder lock is the crucial element with regards to the Multipoint door lock as it controls whether or not the hooks & bolts remain fixed in the keeps.
This is why it is extremely important to ensure your euro cylinder is to the TS007 3 star standard and ideally for maximum security ensure the euro cylinder also has the additional Sold Secure diamond accreditation.
Updated: August 2023
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