Read your home insurance policy. Buried in the small print is almost always a clause that says final exit doors must be fitted with locks to British Standard 3621. If they’re not, and you have a break-in, your insurer can refuse to pay out.
It’s the most common reason claims get rejected after a burglary. Most homeowners have no idea their existing locks don’t meet the standard. We do free checks on every visit.
What BS3621 actually means
BS3621:2007 is the British Standard for locks designed to resist forced entry. To carry the kitemark, a lock has to pass tests for: drilling resistance, picking resistance, key duplication security, anti-snap (for euro cylinders), and minimum bolt throw. The little kitemark stamp on the lock face is the proof.
Common reasons we get called for insurance lock changes
- Moving into a new home — you don’t know who has copies of the keys; insurance often requires a fresh fit
- After losing keys — same logic; whoever has them might be anyone
- After a burglary — same-day rekey or replacement, both for security and for the claim
- Insurance audit / renewal — your renewal includes a clause you didn’t have before
- Buying a property — survey flags non-compliant locks
- Landlord change of tenant — required by most letting insurance
What we fit, and why
Wooden doors: 5-lever mortice deadlocks (BS3621 stamped) — typically £90-£120 fitted depending on door condition.
UPVc / composite doors: 3-star anti-snap, anti-bump, anti-pick euro cylinders meeting TS007:3 (the cylinder grade insurers want) — £60-£90 per cylinder fitted. Some doors take two cylinders (front + back), some one.
Multipoint gearboxes: if the gearbox itself is failing, replacing only the cylinder won’t help. We’ll diagnose properly on site.
Insurance documentation
Every fit comes with a written receipt itemising: date, lock model, kitemark grade, address. Stick it in your policy folder. If a claim ever happens, that’s the paperwork they’ll ask for.
Free policy check
Bring out your insurance documents when we visit and we’ll cross-reference what’s currently fitted vs what your policy actually requires. Free. No obligation. Most homes have one or two doors that need an upgrade — usually a £60-£90 fix that saves a refused claim.
Areas covered
Southampton, Hythe, Totton, Fawley, Marchwood, Hythe Marina, Eastleigh, Romsey, Lyndhurst, Lymington and the New Forest. Same-day fits where possible.
Call: 07453 327708 — Bugsy will quote on the phone or come out for a free survey. No call-out fee, ever.
Common questions
What is BS3621 and do I actually need it for my home insurance in Southampton?
BS3621 is the British Standard for locks that resist forced entry — drilling, picking, key duplication, the lot. Most home insurance policies quietly require it on final exit doors. If your locks don’t carry that kitemark and you’re broken into, your insurer can refuse the claim entirely. It’s buried in the small print, which is why most people don’t know until it’s too late. Bugsy checks what you’ve got on every visit, free, and tells you straight whether you’re covered or not.
How much does BS3621 lock fitting cost in Southampton?
Everything is quoted up front before any work starts — no call-out fee, ever. On a timber door, a 5-lever BS3621 mortice deadlock typically runs £90–£120 fitted, depending on the door’s condition. On a uPVC or composite door, a 3-star anti-snap euro cylinder that meets TS007:3 is usually £60–£90. Some doors take two cylinders, some one — Bugsy will assess on site and give you a clear figure before he touches anything.
Can a locksmith provide paperwork for my insurance after fitting a new lock?
Yes, and you should always insist on it. Every lock Bugsy fits comes with a written receipt showing the date, lock model, kitemark grade, and your address. Keep it with your policy documents. If you ever make a claim, that’s exactly what your insurer will ask for. Without it, proving the standard was met becomes a headache. It takes two minutes to file away and could be the difference between a paid claim and a refused one.
Should I change my locks when moving into a new house in Southampton or the New Forest?
Honestly, yes — it’s one of the first things worth doing. You’ve no idea how many copies of the old keys are floating about: previous owners, estate agents, builders, neighbours. Beyond security, your insurance policy may actually require locks to BS3621, and older properties often have whatever the previous owner fitted years ago. Bugsy covers Southampton, Hythe, Totton, Fawley, and the wider New Forest area, same day where possible. One visit sorts the locks and the paperwork in one go.
{“@context”:”https://schema.org”,”@type”:”FAQPage”,”mainEntity”:[{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”What is BS3621 and do I actually need it for my home insurance in Southampton?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”BS3621 is the British Standard for locks that resist forced entry u2014 drilling, picking, key duplication, the lot. Most home insurance policies quietly require it on final exit doors. If your locks don’t carry that kitemark and you’re broken into, your insurer can refuse the claim entirely. It’s buried in the small print, which is why most people don’t know until it’s too late. Bugsy checks what you’ve got on every visit, free, and tells you straight whether you’re covered or not.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”How much does BS3621 lock fitting cost in Southampton?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Everything is quoted up front before any work starts u2014 no call-out fee, ever. On a timber door, a 5-lever BS3621 mortice deadlock typically runs u00a390u2013u00a3120 fitted, depending on the door’s condition. On a uPVC or composite door, a 3-star anti-snap euro cylinder that meets TS007:3 is usually u00a360u2013u00a390. Some doors take two cylinders, some one u2014 Bugsy will assess on site and give you a clear figure before he touches anything.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Can a locksmith provide paperwork for my insurance after fitting a new lock?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Yes, and you should always insist on it. Every lock Bugsy fits comes with a written receipt showing the date, lock model, kitemark grade, and your address. Keep it with your policy documents. If you ever make a claim, that’s exactly what your insurer will ask for. Without it, proving the standard was met becomes a headache. It takes two minutes to file away and could be the difference between a paid claim and a refused one.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Should I change my locks when moving into a new house in Southampton or the New Forest?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Honestly, yes u2014 it’s one of the first things worth doing. You’ve no idea how many copies of the old keys are floating about: previous owners, estate agents, builders, neighbours. Beyond security, your insurance policy may actually require locks to BS3621, and older properties often have whatever the previous owner fitted years ago. Bugsy covers Southampton, Hythe, Totton, Fawley, and the wider New Forest area, same day where possible. One visit sorts the locks and the paperwork in one go.”}}]}