If you pay even the slightest attention to the security industry, you have likely heard of smart locks. Professional locksmiths fit these keyless lock types for homes and businesses across the region. They are incredibly popular, easy to use and effective at deterring crime. However, before you rush out to get some smart locks ordered and fitted, stop a minute. There is an important query to answer.
Are smart locks compliant with home insurance policies in the UK?
When you take out a home insurance policy, you will need to stipulate the quality of your locks. If your home does not have British Standards 3621-approved locks, there are precious few insurance policy providers who will cover you.
According to an expert locksmith Sheffield they recommend smart locks over having only traditional locks, not every insurance provider agrees. This can make deciding what is right for you more complicated than expected.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at how smart locks are viewed by insurance providers. This should help you to make sure you find a comprehensive policy that gives you the peace of mind that you deserve.
While every policy provider has its own bar for acceptance, there are some near-universal needs for home insurance policy approval. Most of the time, you need to have traditional locks in place, which are covered by:
If you have smart locks and they attach to your original locks, you should have little issue getting your insurance policy provider to accept your smart locks. Others replace your old locks entirely, which can open up other considerations.
You would think, given their high-tech nature, that smart locks would always be seen as an upgrade on traditional locks. And, in many cases, they are. Get the right quality of smart locks fitted, and your insurance policy provider should have no qualms about your decision to go keyless with your locks.
However, most smart locks do not replace your old traditional locks outright. They are often a digital add-on that controls how the locks are managed. With that being the case, you can install all the smart locks in the world – if your old locks are not up to standard, you will not pass inspection. Most smart locks are designed to comply with 3-Star British Standard locks, or BS3621-approved locks.
That means that with a smart lock attached to these locks, you probably meet your policy providers' requirements. If you have low-quality, cheap locks that are backed up by a smart lock, though, that is not enough. We would recommend consulting with a locksmith to review your locks and determine whether or not smart locks would potentially conflict with your policy agreement.
Good question – but it is hard to say for certain. An insurance provider will generally pay out for a break-in if there is a clear sign that the burglar had to force their way into the property. Since smart locks provide you with automated locking systems, you can at the very least go to bed knowing your doors are 100% locked. With activity logs, including for non-standard access, you should have valid proof of a break-in taking place.
If you did not consult your policy provider about having smart locks installed, though, you could be at risk. You could also have problems if your smart locks are attached to non-compliant standard locks.
Like most technological advancements, smart locks are still in a bit of a ‘Wild West’ era. Regulations and evaluations are still being put into place. As such, insurance policy providers can have a hard time determining how effective your smart locks actually are. In fact, many policies will not even have a section for addressing the use of smart locks; they simply do not know how to respond to them.
Again, most home insurance policies want to know about the traditional locks you have, not the smart locks. If you have the kitemark logo on your smart locks, then your locks should be capable of meeting British Standards. If there is a kitemark with three stars, then that is even better. If you have a Euro cylinder lock in your doors, you want to have locks which are 3-Star Kitemarked TS007.
The problems become more challenging when your smart locks replace the lock entirely. In that case, you would be better advised to speak with a locksmith who can provide you with their professional opinion. If you do decide to press on with installing smart locks that completely remove your old locks, contact your insurance provider. They can give you more details about the challenges you might face.
It is important to note, too, that every home insurance policy is unique. What you have for your home will be different to your neighbour's, even if the policies remain broadly similar. If you have extra add-ons like smart locks and CCTV camera settings, you might need a more specific policy designed. Some insurers set a high bar for acceptance of smart locks, so it is best to consult with them.
Most properties benefit from a mixture of smart security and traditional security. Most providers of home insurance in the UK will accept smart locks without issue if there are still high-quality, British Standards 3621-approved locks in place.
Do not assume that your policy is fine because you know someone who has smart locks and got their policy signed off just fine; always consult with your policy provider. If you run a business, make sure you verify your insurance policy needs, including compatibility with smart locks, ASAP.
With all of the uncertainty above, there is one thing for certain: DIY installations will rarely be accepted by an insurance policy. That goes for smart locks or traditional locks.
If you have a smart lock, then as we have mentioned, it likely will comply with your old lock systems. You can also replace your old locks with a new cylinder that is designed specifically for your smart locks. Whether you choose to go with your old locks or get the new cylinder fitted, always hire a locksmith to do the job for you. They provide the certainty of correct installation, making it easier to get your policy provider to give you the go-ahead.
Nobody wants to go through the intensity and emotional drain of a break-in only to find out that their insurance policy provider is not paying out. As such, we would recommend that you:
With the insight you glean from a locksmith and your insurance provider, you should now be in a much better position. Smart locks are broadly accepted by the home insurance industry, and in many business insurance policies, they are mandatory. Still, it is better to get a clear answer from your policy provider before committing to any installations. Good luck!
