What does "insurance approved" actually mean for a lock?

"Insurance approved" is not a formal certification or standard — it is a marketing term used by lock manufacturers. What actually matters is whether your lock meets the specific standard named in your individual insurance policy. Most policies require BS3621 for mortice deadlocks on wooden doors, and TS007 3-star or Sold Secure Diamond for euro cylinders on uPVC and composite doors. Always check your own policy wording rather than relying on a lock being labelled "insurance approved."

How can I tell if my euro cylinder is insurance compliant?

Unlike mortice deadlocks, euro cylinders rarely have the standard stamped on the visible part of the lock. Check the original packaging, your locksmith's receipt, or the cylinder face for brand markings. Premium brands like Ultion stamp their logo on the cylinder. If your cylinder is plain brass with no markings, it is almost certainly a standard non-rated cylinder. The easiest way to check is to call me on 07735 336175 — I can usually identify a cylinder by sight and will check for free.

Do I need to change my locks if I switch insurance provider?

Possibly. Different insurers have different security requirements. When you switch, read the new policy's security conditions carefully and compare them against your current locks. If your new insurer requires a higher standard than your old one, you may need to upgrade. Some policies give you a grace period (usually 30 days) to make your locks compliant after the policy starts. If in doubt, call me for a free check.

My insurer says I need "Secured by Design" locks — what does this mean?

Secured by Design (SBD) is a police-backed accreditation for security products. Locks with SBD certification have been tested and approved by the police crime prevention initiative. For euro cylinders, SBD-certified options include Ultion, ABS (Avocet), and some Yale models. For mortice deadlocks, most BS3621 locks from major brands also carry SBD. I fit SBD-certified cylinders from £89 and mortice deadlocks from £79. Call 07735 336175 for details or visit our lock upgrade page at /services/lock-upgrade.

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

Your insurance policy says you need "approved locks" — but approved by whom? Here is a practical guide to checking whether your locks meet your policy requirements.

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

"Are my locks insurance approved?" It is the question I get asked most often as a Coventry locksmith — usually by someone who has just renewed their home insurance and actually read the policy for once, or by someone who has had a break-in and is suddenly worried about whether their claim will be accepted.

I am Ross, and I have spent years helping Coventry homeowners, landlords, and tenants navigate the confusing world of lock standards and insurance requirements. Here is the honest truth: **"insurance approved" is not a formal standard**. It is shorthand for "whatever your specific insurance policy requires." And that varies from insurer to insurer.

Let me walk you through how to actually check.

---

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.

---

The Standards Your Insurance Probably Requires

While every policy is different, there are only a handful of standards that UK home insurers typically reference:

For Wooden and Composite Doors (Mortice Deadlocks)

BS3621 — This is the big one. The British Standard for thief-resistant locks. About 90% of UK home insurance policies that specify a lock standard will reference BS3621 for mortice deadlocks on wooden doors.

What to look for:

A **BSI Kitemark** stamped on the faceplate (the metal plate on the edge of the door)

The standard number **BS3621** near the Kitemark

A **5-lever mechanism** (if you can see the key, it should have a complex bit pattern — not a simple shape)

Brands that typically meet BS3621:

ERA (most of their 5-lever range)

Union (2100 series and above)

Chubb (now owned by Union — 3G series)

British Standard (their premium range)

Brands/types that typically do NOT meet BS3621:

Any 3-lever mortice lock (common on internal doors — only has 3 levers, needs 5)

Unbranded locks from budget hardware shops

Very old locks fitted before the standard existed (pre-1980)

Locks marked "to BS3621 standard" without the actual BSI Kitemark — this wording means they claim to be equivalent but have not been independently tested

For uPVC and Composite Doors (Euro Cylinders)

This is where it gets more nuanced. Your uPVC or composite door almost certainly has a **multi-point locking system** operated by a **euro cylinder**. The multipoint lock body itself is rarely referenced in insurance policies — it is the **cylinder** that matters.

Common cylinder standards insurers require:

TS007 (3-star) — the most commonly referenced. A 3-star rating means the cylinder alone provides maximum resistance to attack (snapping, picking, drilling, bumping). Note: you can also achieve 3-star by combining a 1-star cylinder with a 2-star handle, but this is being phased out in some policies.

SS312 / Sold Secure Diamond — a more rigorous independent test by the Sold Secure organisation. Any cylinder with this rating also meets TS007.

Secured by Design (SBD) — a police-backed accreditation. Locks with this rating have been tested and approved by the police. Many insurers specifically reference SBD as an acceptable standard.

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:

**Check the original packaging** — if you still have the box or blister pack, the standard will be printed on it

**Check the receipt or invoice** — if a locksmith fitted it, the receipt should state the standard

**Look at the cylinder itself** — some premium brands (like Ultion) stamp a logo on the face of the cylinder

**Check the colour and construction** — most standard (non-rated) cylinders are plain brass. Anti-snap cylinders are typically nickel, chrome, or have visible anti-snap lines

**Ask a locksmith** — honestly, this is often the easiest way. I can identify most cylinders by sight. Call me on 07735 336175 for a free check

Euro cylinder brands that typically meet TS007 3-star or Sold Secure Diamond:

Ultion (the market leader — Sold Secure Diamond, SBD)

ABS (Avocet) — SS312 and SBD

Yale Platinum — TS007 3-star

Brisant Ultion — same as Ultion, rebranded

ERA Fortress — TS007 3-star

Euro cylinders that typically do NOT meet insurance standards:

The cylinder that came with your door when it was built (unless it was a premium door supplier)

Plain brass euro cylinders from hardware shops

Unbranded cylinders without any security rating

Very cheap cylinders (under £10 retail)

---

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

You need the **policy document** (sometimes called the policy booklet), not the summary or the certificate. The summary tells you your cover limits and excess — the policy document tells you the conditions, including security requirements.

Most insurers now provide this as a PDF. Log into your insurer's website or check your email for it.

Step 2: Search for These Terms

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

"BS3621"

"lock" or "locks"

"security"

"deadlock"

"mortice"

"cylinder"

"TS007"

"Secured by Design"

Step 3: Note the Exact Requirements

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

All external doors, or just "final exit doors"

All doors, or just specific door types (wooden, uPVC)

All the time, or just "when the property is unoccupied"

Step 4: Compare Against Your Locks

Check each external door against the requirements. If you are not sure what your locks are, call me for a free check — I will examine every external door and tell you exactly what you have and whether it meets your policy requirements.

---

The Free Security Survey

I offer a **completely free security check** for homeowners across Coventry and the surrounding areas. Here is what it includes:

I examine every external door lock and identify the type, brand, and standard it meets

I check your locks against your insurance policy requirements (bring your policy document or have it on your phone)

I identify any gaps where your locks do not meet the required standard

I give you an honest recommendation on what needs upgrading — and what does not

I provide a written quote for any work needed

There is no charge for the survey, no obligation to book any work, and no hard sell. I would rather you know the truth about your locks and make an informed decision than find out the hard way after a burglary.

Call 07735 336175 to book a free security survey, or check our [areas page](/areas) to confirm we cover your location. I cover all of Coventry and surrounding areas including Kenilworth, Bedworth, Nuneaton, Rugby, Warwick, and Leamington Spa.

---

Common Situations and What You Need

Your DoorWhat Insurance Typically RequiresTypical Upgrade Cost

|---|---|---|

Wooden front door with no deadlockAdd BS3621 mortice deadlockFrom £79 fitted

Wooden front door with 3-lever lockReplace with 5-lever BS3621From £79 fitted

uPVC door with standard cylinderReplace with TS007 3-star anti-snapFrom £69 fitted

Composite door with standard cylinderReplace with TS007 3-star anti-snapFrom £69 fitted

uPVC patio/sliding doorUsually multi-point lock — check handle lockFrom £89 fitted

---

What If Your Locks Are Not Compliant?

Do not panic. Getting compliant is usually quick, easy, and affordable:

**Call me on 07735 336175** — I will check your locks for free

**Get a quote** — I will tell you exactly what needs changing and how much it will cost. See our [prices page](/prices) for published rates

**Book the work** — most lock upgrades take 15-30 minutes per door and can usually be done the same week

**Keep your receipt** — I provide a detailed receipt showing the lock type, standard, and date of fitting. Keep this with your insurance documents as proof of compliance

**Tell your insurer** — let them know you have upgraded. Some offer premium discounts for higher security

For a deeper dive into the three main mortice deadlock standards and when each applies, read our guide on [PAS3621 vs BS3621 vs BS8621](/blog/pas3621-bs3621-bs8621-differences). 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](/blog/insurance-payout-lock-standards).

Getting your locks right is one of the simplest and cheapest things you can do to protect your home and your insurance cover. A single lock upgrade from £59 could save you thousands on a claim. Call me on 07735 336175 — I am always happy to help.