When it comes to securing your home or business, the types of door locks used for your front door and other entryways can affect the property’s insurance qualifications and premiums. Understanding and installing the right kinds of door locks for insurance helps ensure you’re protected while saving you money.
But what are the insurance door lock requirements?
While requirements may vary, insurers often dictate the types of locks you need to install to qualify for insurance. However, higher-quality locks that are professionally installed can often lead to cost savings.
In this article, we’ll discuss the most common insurance door lock requirements and how inadequate lock protection can impact your insurance policy. Then, Crown Locksmith will provide insights into the best door locks for insurance.
Insurance Door Lock Requirements
As mentioned, having a better door lock can lower your home or business insurance rates. On average, home and business insurers want policy owners to equip their entry doorways with high-quality door locks that meet American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and/or Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) standards.
The four key ANSI and BHMA standard requirements include:
Durability: Locks are tested and meet wear and tear standards.
Security Rating: ANSI and BHMA provide security grades (1 through 3) to indicate a lock’s level of security, 1 being the highest grade.
Functionality: Ensures locks are reliable and operate properly under various conditions.
Compatibility: ANSI/BHMA standards promote door lock uniformity throughout a household.
By installing high-quality, ANSI and BHMA standard door locks, policy owners reduce the risk of break-ins. This decreases the likelihood of theft or property damage and puts less burden and risk on insurers. In return, insurers are more likely to offer better rates or policy discounts to the property owner.
What are the 7 Types of Locks for Insurance?
While ANSI and BHMA standards do not outline specific types of door locks for insurance compliance, there are 7 types of door locks that insurers often allow:
- Five-Lever Mortice Locks: This exterior door lock meets many front door lock insurance requirements. It utilizes five internal levers that must be precisely aligned by a key to unlock the door.
- Multi-Point Locking Systems: This system of locks secures a home or business door to the frame at multiple points, making it harder to force or pry the door open.
- Night Latches: A surface-mounted door lock that automatically engages when the door is closed.
- Bolts: Bolt locks, or deadbolt locks, are a type of lock that uses a solid metal bolt to secure a door to the frame.
- Sliding Door Locks: Specialized locks with mechanisms designed to secure sliding or French door entryways.
- Electronic Locks: Locking devices that utilize electrical power to operate instead of traditional keys and are accessed using keypads or fobs.
- Digital Keypad Locks: The latest innovation in door lock technology, digital keypad locks typically utilize various types of door locks (five-lever mortice, multi-point, bolts, etc.). Each lock is operated through a keypad, smartphone, or digital app.
Professional Installation
While high-quality ANSI and BHMA standard locks are the best types of door locks for insurance compliance, having them professionally installed will ensure your home, business, and valuables are safe and secure. For home- and business owners serious about protecting their property and assets, finding a trusted and reliable locksmith to install insurance-compliant locks will save you time and give you peace of mind.
Need to rekey your home? For over 12 years, Crown Locksmith has been helping residents and businesses throughout the Atlanta area protect their homes, cars, and businesses. Our certified locksmith professionals can help you find and install the best types of door locks for your insurance and property protection.
If you’re looking to save money while meeting insurance door lock requirements, let your trusted Atlanta locksmith, Crown Locksmith, be your business and/or home protection partner. CLICK HERE to schedule a FREE consultation today.
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