House insurance (window locks?)

Gavin78

Just round to claiming house insurance again and noticed this year there are a lot more stating that windows must have window locks in order to insure with them.

This is council property and they installed the windows around 8-10 years ago. the lock on the windows are a push button on the handle but they dont lock with a key.

when the handle is turned it locks but can be opened again by simply pushing the button.

I'm just wondering if I went to the council should they change the locks on the window to a lockable one with a key?

I'm struggling to find house insurance this time round.

no-oneknowsme

To be honest I cant see the council changing the window locks for you just because you are having trouble finding insurance.

I use the comparisson sites to get all my insurances and they usually just ask if windows are locable with a key...

My own windows DONT have key locks and I always just state that.

I cant say that I have ever had trouble obtaining insurance for my home.

At the min I am insurered with the AA , previous to this I was with Axa. prior to that I was with the Co-op.

Most of my insurances are purchased through GoCompare.

huckster

Locks requirement may depend on where you live.

Suggest that you speak to a local broker, so they can look at which Insurers they use don't require key operated window locks, in the area where you live.

ankspon

I have key locks but you can open them with a fingernail so it doesn't make a difference

InsideInsurance

It does, as you can declare they are key operated, even if it is a very basic key.

forgotmyname

My insurance put down that i had window locks despite me saying i didnt.

It was easier to buy some off ebay about £2 or £3 each. Probably cheaper than
them saying i was not covered or increasing the quote.

Gavin78

On the comparisson sites you fill the details out but when you actually go to the insurance site for details to fine tune everything in the policy it states "key locks" in their terms and conditions. I dont want to find that I get broken into and the insurance company wont pay out.

On the comparisson site it doesn't say this so can easily be caught out as they dont give out all the details that the company policy is.

For example we nearly went with M&S last year everything was fine until I found some small print on their site about home insurance that didnt state on the comparisson site that if you dont have window locks and are broken into then we would have been liable for the first £1500 + the initial £150 excess. All it stated on the comparisson site was £150 excess. I found the other by clicking on a link to a link and found it by accident.

So you have to be carefull. the only other alternative is to get someone to change the locks on the ground floor windows.

Gavin78

forgotmyname wrote: »

My insurance put down that i had window locks despite me saying i didnt.

It was easier to buy some off ebay about £2 or £3 each. Probably cheaper than
them saying i was not covered or increasing the quote.

Yeah I did look on the net for window locks. I can't screw anything into the frame as the windows frames are plastic and angled so I wouldn't be able to get the screw in locks.

I'm sure I could replace the handles with lockable ones but not sure of the make of the locks or type if handle I would need and it needs a special device to unscrew the handle from the window.

I'm going to try with the council and then ask them if I can have permission to alter their windows if they say no to putting locks on. so I will get a company in to do it.

*Scarlett

Have you tried getting your contents insurance through your local council?

Many offer this but check the level of cover is sufficient.

If they do offer an insurance cover, surely they would insure your contents without window locks as they must deem this acceptable for your property or else they would have fitted them!

forgotmyname

The handles are universal.

The most you will have to do it trim the square bar and screws provided, Or just use the existing screws like i did.

2 little white clips ove the screws holing the current handle on, Pop them out with a sharp object.
2 Philips headed screws and the handle comes off.

I ordered the handles with the longer bars, But if you pop a handle off and measure the square bar. You can order one identical size.

Took me less than 1 hour from unpacking, Removing the handles. Trimming the bars and refitting. 5 handles. Cost under £20 delivered.

martyn05

Are your windows upvc or wooden?

You can get upvc key operated window locks from Toolstation for about £3.40, easy to do yourself. Similar prices for wooden windows.