Defining the type of locks on your doors, windows, rooflights and skylights is crucial when it comes to home insurance and improving security could offer benefits.  you'll be asked what type of locks you have on exterior doors and windows. This question can sometimes stump people, but at every point there'll be images and help text to enable you to give an accurate answer. We've also produced a video guide (above), and there's more information on this page about types of lock, security and home insurance. Most homes are secured by one or more of the following types of lock, whether that be on entrance doors (your front door), windows, back doors or patio doors. With a five-lever mortice deadlock, the locking mechanism is embedded (or 'morticed') into a slot in the door and the strike plate is fitted to the door frame. A key is always needed to operate the lock (usually this will be a 'Chubb' key). The face plate of the locking mechanism will usually state how many levers the lock has..

See the accompanying picture to identify whether this is the type of lock you have. Insurers may insist that you must have a five-lever lock conforming to BS3621, British standards, on all exit doors and key-operated locks on all ground floor and accessible windows. A five-lever mortice deadlock conforming to BS3621 is locked and unlocked by a key from either side, and has additional security features incorporated into its design. Typical examples of such additional security would be anti-pick features and hardened steel plates. This type of lock cannot be fitted to uPVC or aluminium doors and often can't be fitted to composite doors. A BS3621 lock will always be stamped with the British Standard 3621 Kitemark (normally on the face plate of the locking mechanism), like the kitemark pictured. Don't ever be tempted to fib to your insurer about the level of your home security. "So if your alarm isn't maintained or you do not lock your windows, then your insurer may refuse to pay out should you need to make a claim.

"The most expensive insurance policy you can buy is one that isn't valid, so make sure to be as honest and as accurate as possible to ensure your insurer will pay out should you need to make a claim." A Rim automatic deadlatch with key-locking handle is mounted on the inside of the door (see accompanying picture).wooden wardrobe doors glasgow A cylinder within the lock connects to the keyhole on the outside of the door.cheap upvc doors northern ireland With this type of lock the door is locked and unlocked by key from either side.french doors for sale cornwall Such locks are sometimes used as an additional security measure rather than the main lock.sliding door wardrobe walnut

If it is the main lock, remember that you have a duty of care to protect your home, and you may not receive the most competitive quote if your security measures are considered insufficient. Remember also that insurers are only likely to pay out in the event of a claim if the lock is used.shower door roller replacement home depot If your home is burgled through an open window or door then your policy may be invalid, regardless of the type of lock you've installed.aluminium bifold door suppliers A multi-point locking system has a minimum of three locking points that all lock simultaneously by the turn of a key (see accompanying picture).the garage door company chico These are most common on patio or French doors - typically uPVC doors - and less common for main entrance points.

Some properties may use such a lock on the principle point of entry, though, and insurers will assess risk accordingly. When assessing your level of home security you'll also be asked about the locks fitted to your patio or French doors. These doors are usually more vulnerable to attack and so may be seen as a greater security risk. Your patio or French doors will usually be fitted with either a multi-point locking system (as described above), a top and bottom lock (see accompanying picture) or a central rail key operated lock, as described below. A top and bottom lock has the most basic level of security of these three, and is usually used as an additional measure in conjunction with a multi-point locking system or a central rail key-operated lock. They are fitted inside the doors at the top and bottom of the frame. A central rail key-operated locking system is a locking system that's fitted to the central (vertical) rail where the doors overlap. If your French doors are wooden a lock should always be fitted at 90 degrees to the grain of the wood, reducing the likelihood of splitting if the wood is subjected to pressure.

In our home insurance quotes process you'll be asked whether your property has any accessible windows, and whether those windows are protected by key-operated locks. You should only answer 'yes' if every accessible window is secured with a key-operated lock. Accessible windows are those that are at ground floor or basement level, or within easy reach of the ground and capable of being opened (such as a first-floor window above a flat-roofed, single-storey extension). This also applies to skylights and/or rooflights. Key-operated locks on windows are normally located on the handle used to open the window, although this will depend on the style, age and type of window fitted. Nightlatches are mounted onto a door and are usually used as an extra security measure as opposed to a sole lock. These can be used as an additional lock from the inside and could, as an additional security measure, reduce the cost of your home insurance. However, the cost of installing additional security measures may not always bring down the cost of your premium.