• Keeping your
  home safe
• Replacing doors and windows
• Top tips from home security
• Selecting the right equipment
• Understand the jargon
• Customer checklist
• Insuring your home

Insuring your Property and Save Money

Many insurance companies offer reduced premiums for people with good home security. But if you don’t always lock your doors or activate your alarm you may
not be covered.

You can save money if you are equipped with the right information and can cut through the jargon.

1. Ask your insurance company which security products it recommends.
2. Can all external doors lock by a key from both inside and outside?
   (solution - fit an automatic deadlock)
3. Does the main entrance door have a lock which has a kitemark?
   (solution - fit a rim lock, automatic deadlock and mortice deadlock)
4. Do all outbuildings, garages, accessible windows including those accessible from adjacent roofs or walls, and patio doors have key operated locks?
5. Does your patio door have a key operated lock at the top and bottom of each sliding door (as well as the manufacturer’s integral lock)?
6. Is your property in a Neighbourhood Watch area?
   (call your local Police and ask)
7. Does the property have a working burglar alarm?
8. Find out how long you have held household insurance – the longer the better.
9. List the number of claims in the last five years – the less the better, none the optimum.
10.  Make sure it is paid and up to date!
11.  When swapping providers – check the details again, their requirements vary from insurer to insurer.

Often if you cannot truthfully say yes to every question asked, you cannot tick the box.

However by making a few simply security alterations to your home, you can
with confidence.

There is a good chance that a householder's insurance won't cover the break-in if the lock has been 'bumped' as there will be no evidence that the householder just didn't leave the door unlocked.

In time we also hope insurers will stipulate the inclusion of an anti-bump cylinder, in the same way as they now do with five-lever mortice deadlocks, and make it a key requirement on contents insurance to cover householders even further.