Business Premises Locks and What Commercial Insurers Ask For

A policy for business premises often carries a strict security condition that dictates the exact standard of locks you must fit on your doors and windows. The lock standard is written into the policy wording, and you need to read it carefully before you arrange any security upgrades. If you do not meet a condition like this, your insurer may refuse to pay a theft claim. A commercial locksmith can help you choose hardware, but you should get confirmation from your insurer or broker in writing.

Why business locks are not the same as home locks

Business premises have different risks from a home and are covered by workplace fire safety rules as well as by insurance conditions. A lock that suits a home may not meet what a business policy asks for.

The lock types found on commercial buildings vary widely. You might have a euro cylinder, which is the barrel on uPVC and composite doors, or a multipoint locking mechanism, which is the strip of hooks and bolts worked by lifting the handle. The central part of that mechanism is called the gearbox. Older or traditional timber doors often rely on a mortice deadlock and sashlock fitted inside the wood, or a night latch or rim lock, which is the surface latch often called a Yale lock. A rim cylinder sits on the outside of the door to operate the night latch.

A business policy may name the lock types it accepts for each door. While you should always check your home insurance lock requirements for a residential property, a business policy may set its own conditions. You cannot assume that a lock that looks strong will satisfy your insurer.

What a commercial policy may ask for

Insurance wording differs by insurer, and the examples given here are just examples, not a universal rule. You must check your own policy schedule to see what applies to your business. Commercial policies often contain a minimum security standards condition that applies where the schedule says so. If this condition is active on your policy, every external door and accessible window must be secured by the exact type of lock listed in the document.

The following table shows the minimum security standards condition from one published commercial retail policy wording for November 2025.

This is one example only and other insurers set different requirements. The same policy wording notes that if you do not comply with this condition, you will not be covered and the insurer will not make any payment in respect of a claim for theft or attempted theft.

BS 3621 and why the standard matters

BS 3621 is the British Standard for mortice and rim locks on timber doors. You can identify a lock that meets this standard by looking for a Kitemark engraved on the lock faceplate, which is the metal edge visible when the door is open. Policies can refer to this standard because the testing includes simulations of drilling and picking of the lock.

For euro cylinders, insurers may ask for snap-resistant standards. These are usually the TS007 three-star rating, or a one-star cylinder paired with two-star handles, and the Sold Secure SS312 Diamond standard. Standard euro cylinders can be vulnerable to lock snapping, which is why these standards exist.

Under the Insurance Act 2015, commercial policyholders have a duty to make a fair presentation of the risk. This means you must disclose everything you know or ought to know that would influence the insurer, or enough to put the insurer on notice to make further enquiries. If you tell your insurer that your locks meet BS 3621 when they do not, you may be failing in this duty. Never guess your lock standard, and ask a professional to check it if you are unsure.

A claim that can fail over a lock

Failing to understand your lock standard can have severe financial consequences for your business. In one case brought to the Financial Ombudsman Service, a commercial policyholder answered yes when asked whether final exit doors were secured by mortice deadlocks with at least five levers or a rim deadlock conforming to British Standard 3621, or multi-point locking on uPVC or double glazed doors. After a fire at the premises, the insurer investigated and found the lock was not BS 3621 compliant.

The ombudsman did not uphold the complaint, noting that the information was relatively straightforward to check online or with a locksmith. The policyholder provided a locksmith's letter saying the door complied with PAS 24, but the ombudsman pointed out that this did not confirm BS 3621, which is a different and higher security standard for locks. As a result, the insurer's rejection of the claim after the fire stood.

In a separate decision, an insurer declined a commercial property claim after a break-in because the locks did not meet its security minimum protections condition. This condition required a BS 3621 mortice deadlock for timber final exit doors, bolts on the first closing leaf of double doors, and hinge bolts top and bottom on outward opening doors. The ombudsman directed the insurer to reconsider the claim for the door damage and stolen items without applying the security condition, stating that an insurer should show both non-compliance and that compliance would likely have prevented the loss. However, a separate condition about keeping the safe key on the premises was applied fairly.

Fire exits and security together

Fire safety and security are often at loggerheads. While your insurer wants the building locked down tight against intruders, fire regulations demand that people can escape instantly in an emergency. The government publishes a fire safety risk assessment guide for offices and shops that applies to England and Wales only. It states that exit doors on escape routes and final exit doors should normally open in the direction of travel, and be quickly and easily openable without the need for a key.

Final exit doors should be openable without a key or code in the event of a fire. Staff may need instructions on removing additional security, bolts, bars or chains on final exit doors before the start of business to ensure the escape routes are clear. A final exit door that needs a key to open from the inside would not meet that guidance.

Some policies deal with this conflict in their wording. The example policy wording above notes that doors or windows designated as part of an emergency exit route are excluded from the standard requirements. Instead, they must only be secured using suitable and appropriate internally operated quick release type of security devices. Examples named in that wording are mortice deadlocks conforming to BS 8621 and panic bars or latches conforming to BS EN 1125. You can read more about balancing these rules in our guide to fire door locks and the rules for fire exits.

What a commercial locksmith does

A commercial locksmith works on premises such as businesses, retail premises, hospitals, offices and schools. They provide a much wider range of services than a standard residential tradesperson. According to the Master Locksmiths Association, a commercial locksmith typically offers access control, master key systems, door closers, key cutting, lock installation and repair, emergency service, security grilles and gates, and CCTV and burglar alarm installation. They also supply and fit panic and exit hardware to BS EN 1125 and BS EN 179.

There is no government licensing of locksmiths in the UK. Anyone can buy some tools and trade as one, which is why vetting matters immensely when you are securing a business. The Master Locksmiths Association is the main trade association. Its approved companies are vetted, have criminal record checks, employ locksmiths who have passed the exam, and are inspected regularly. This is a voluntary approval scheme, never a licence or legal requirement. The association states that none of its approved locksmith companies are call centres.

When you call a professional out to a commercial property, they will normally price the job as labour plus parts, either by the hour or as a fixed price per job. Most single lock changes and lockouts take well under an hour. Price is driven by the time of day, your location, the type and security grade of the lock, and how entry is gained. Evenings, nights, weekends and bank holidays cost more, and London and the South East cost more than other regions. Many locksmiths charge no separate call-out fee but some do, and VAT may or may not be included, so you must ask.

If your premises have been targeted by criminals, a commercial locksmith may also offer boarding up services to secure broken windows or damaged doors until permanent repairs can be made. If you run a fleet of business vehicles, you will need an auto locksmith. Auto locksmiths are a separate specialism covering vehicle entry, key cutting, transponder and remote programming.

Master keys, access control and alarms

Managing who has access to your building is a major part of commercial security. Instead of carrying a heavy bunch of keys, many businesses use keyed alike systems where a single key opens multiple different locks. This is ideal for a small shop owner who wants one key for the front door, the back door, and the office.

For larger premises, a master key system is more appropriate. This allows the business owner to hold one grand master key that opens every door in the building. Staff members are given sub-master keys that only open the specific doors they need to use, such as the front door and their own office. You can learn more about how this works in our guide to keyed alike locks and master key systems.

Electronic access control replaces physical keys with fobs, swipe cards or keypad codes, and the MLA lists access control among the services a commercial locksmith typically offers. Ask how any system would work with your fire exits.

Questions to ask your broker and locksmith

Do not assume any lock will satisfy your insurer. Get confirmation in writing from your insurer or broker that the exact hardware you plan to fit meets their requirements. When you are arranging the work, you need to ask the locksmith clear questions to ensure you are getting a fair deal and the right standard of work.

• Ask what standard the new lock meets and whether it has the Kitemark stamped on the faceplate.
• Ask for a total price before work starts, including parts, VAT, and any out-of-hours charge.
• Ask how entry will be gained if you are locked out, and whether they use non-destructive entry methods like picking or bypassing before considering drilling.
• Ask if the business has a real local address and consistent customer reviews over time.
• Ask if they can provide a written itemised invoice showing the exact lock models fitted.

You should always ask to see ID on arrival. Be aware of national call centres advertising as a local locksmith and passing the job to whoever is nearest. This often leads to a very low price being quoted on the phone that multiplies on the doorstep once they arrive. Other common scams include drilling a lock that could have been opened without damage, replacing a whole multipoint mechanism when only the cylinder or gearbox had failed, fitting cheap cylinders at premium prices, and refusing to give a price before starting. A rogue operator will often demand cash only, provide no invoice, show no ID, and arrive in an unmarked vehicle.

Keeping records after the work is done

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, a service must be carried out with reasonable care and skill, at a reasonable price if none was agreed, and within a reasonable time. You have a right to have poor work put right or get your money back. Under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, there is normally a 14-day cancellation period for work arranged at home or by phone. This does not apply where you specifically asked for a visit for urgent repairs, although extra work sold during that visit is not covered by the exception.

Keep your written invoice safe. If you ever need to make a claim, you may be asked for proof of what locks were fitted. The invoice should clearly state the British Standard of the locks installed. Store this document alongside the written confirmation you received from your insurance broker.

Common questions

Can a landlord change the locks on a commercial or residential property?

For commercial leases, check the lease and take advice before changing any locks. For rented homes, a landlord who changes the locks to keep a tenant out without a court order commits illegal eviction, which is a criminal offence. Tenants should check their tenancy agreement and get the landlord's agreement before changing locks. You should contact Citizens Advice or Shelter for guidance on your own situation.

Will my business insurance pay for a commercial locksmith?

You need to check your own policy wording rather than assuming you are covered. Policies differ, so ask your insurer or broker whether replacement locks or upgrades made to meet a security condition are covered.

Can a commercial lock be opened if the key snaps?

A commercial locksmith can normally deal with a snapped key and fit a new key or cylinder if needed. Do not try to force the broken piece out yourself, as you could damage the lock.

What affects the price of commercial locks?

Commercial hardware often has to meet fire safety and security standards, such as panic and exit hardware to BS EN 1125 and BS EN 179. The final price you pay is also driven by the time of day, your location, and whether you need the locksmith urgently outside of normal working hours.

What to do next

Securing your business premises requires careful planning and a clear understanding of your insurance paperwork. Follow these steps to check where you stand.

1. Read your commercial insurance schedule and policy wording to find the exact minimum security standards condition.
2. Check your current locks for Kitemarks on the faceplate or ask a local locksmith to identify them for you.
3. Confirm with your insurance broker in writing that your planned lock upgrades meet their specific demands.
4. Check your fire safety risk assessment to ensure all final exit doors remain quick and easy to open from the inside.
5. Ask the locksmith for a total price including parts, VAT, and any out-of-hours charges before work begins.

When you are ready to upgrade your premises and secure your insurance compliance, you can find a locksmith near you to inspect your doors and fit the correct hardware.