What "Insurance-Approved Locks" Actually Means (and How to Check Yours)

Insurance-Approved Locks: A Practical Guide to Checking Your Doors

"Are my locks insurance approved?" is a frequent question after a renewal or break-in. The answer cannot be established from a marketing label alone.

"Insurance approved" is not a single formal lock standard. The relevant requirement comes from the actual policy wording, the door and the precise product or configuration. Treat the phrase as marketing shorthand unless the insurer confirms what it requires in writing.

Let me walk you through how to actually check.

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Why "Insurance Approved" Is Not a Real Standard

No single body certifies a lock as "insurance approved." You will see locks marketed as "insurance approved" or "insurance rated" online and in hardware shops — and while these locks may well meet common insurance requirements, the phrase itself is marketing, not a certification.

What matters is whether your locks meet the specific standard named in your policy. Different insurers require different things.

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Standards Your Policy May Name

Every policy is different. The following standards can appear in lock and product documentation, but their presence does not create a universal insurance requirement:

For Wooden and Composite Doors (Mortice Deadlocks)

BS3621 — the British Standard for thief-resistant lock assemblies operated by key from both sides. Some home insurance policies reference it for mortice deadlocks on wooden doors, but there is no reliable universal percentage: check your own policy wording.

What to look for:

Certification is exact-product and edition-specific. Do not infer it from a brand, age, key shape or price. Check the product marking and current certification record for the model; wording such as "equivalent" is not the same as evidence that the exact product is certified.

For uPVC and Composite Doors (Euro Cylinders)

Many uPVC and composite doors use a multi-point locking system operated by a euro cylinder. Assess the complete door set and compare it with the exact policy wording; do not assume the cylinder alone determines compliance.

Product standards you may encounter include:

TS007 — a star-rated certification for relevant door hardware. Check whether the rating applies to a cylinder alone or a tested combination. Certification improves resistance to the attacks covered by the test, but it does not provide maximum or complete resistance.

SS312 / Sold Secure Diamond — an independent high-security cylinder grade administered by Sold Secure. It is separate from TS007; a product holding one certification does not automatically hold the other.

Secured by Design (SBD) — a police-backed accreditation scheme. SBD accredits products that meet its Police Preferred Specification and required independent certification; the police do not perform the underlying product laboratory test.

How to check your euro cylinder:

This is the tricky part. Unlike mortice deadlocks, euro cylinders rarely have the standard stamped on the visible part of the lock. Here is how to check:

Verify products, not brands: certification can differ between models, sizes, configurations and dated catalogue entries. Search the current BSI, Sold Secure or Secured by Design record for the exact product. If it cannot be verified, describe it as unverified rather than assuming that it passes or fails an insurer's requirement.

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How to Check Your Insurance Policy

Here is a step-by-step guide to finding out what your insurer actually requires:

Step 1: Find the Right Document

Use the policy schedule, endorsements and full policy wording together. A summary alone may omit conditions that affect a particular property.

The documents may be in an online account or email. If any schedule, endorsement or wording is missing, request the current version from the insurer.

Step 2: Search for These Terms

Look in the General Conditions, Security Requirements, or Claims Conditions section. Search the document for:

Step 3: Note the Exact Requirements

Write down exactly what is required. Pay attention to whether the requirement applies to:

Step 4: Compare Against Your Locks

Check each relevant door against the wording. If you are unsure what is fitted, I can record the lock type, visible markings and documentation. Ask the insurer to confirm whether it accepts the exact product and configuration.

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Arranging a Lock Assessment

If you want the fitted locks assessed against written policy wording or a product requirement, first describe the property, relevant doors and purpose of the check. Before booking, confirm the assessment scope, any charge and the output you need. A property-specific assessment may include:

Visible markings alone may not establish certification or policy compliance. Product records, installation details and the insurer's written decision may still be needed; the insurer determines whether the actual doorset meets its policy.

Call 024 7522 4730 with the full address and the requirement you are checking. The areas page lists the locations served; call to confirm the exact address, assessment scope, price basis and current ETA.

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Example Situations to Verify

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What If the Hardware Does Not Match the Wording?

First confirm the apparent mismatch with the insurer, then price the exact work:

For a deeper dive into the three main mortice deadlock standards and when each applies, read our guide on PAS3621 vs BS3621 vs BS8621. And for a detailed look at what happens to your insurance claim if your locks are not up to standard, see our post on insurance payouts and lock standards.

Getting your locks right is one of the simplest things you can do to protect your home and meet any security condition your own insurer has specified. Call me on 024 7522 4730 if you want the existing locks identified before deciding whether an upgrade is needed.

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