28/08/2026
A secure-looking door is not always a properly secured door. Most homeowners only think closely about their locks after a key is lost, a mechanism fails or a burglary takes place nearby. Yet a door can close normally, look substantial and still fall short of the security expected by an insurer.
The difficulty is that phrases such as “insurance-approved lock” are often used too loosely. There is no single lock that is automatically accepted for every property and every insurance policy. The correct standard depends on the door, the lock type and the wording of the individual policy.
For homeowners and landlords across Streatham, Balham, Norbury, Thornton Heath, Croydon and the wider South West London area, the sensible approach is to identify what is fitted, check that it operates correctly and compare it with the policy requirements.
A professional locksmith can explain the relevant markings and upgrade options, but the final authority is always the insurer’s own policy wording. This guide sets out the main standards in plain English and explains the practical faults that can undermine even a good-quality lock.
