Property expert is urging homeowners to update security features this month to avoid costly insurance losses
Homeowners across the UK are being advised to head to DIY stores this month in an urgent security alert. Property experts are encouraging households to make time for a shopping trip to the likes of B&Q, Screwfix and Homebase this month to avoid falling victim to an overlooked security slip that could leave property owners £3,000 poorer ‘if left too late’.
When it comes to home maintenance, most people think first about repainting a tired front door or fixing that leaky tap. But according to one property expert, the real danger to your finances could be lurking in something far less glamorous – the locks on your doors and windows.
Michael Smith, a property expert at Bluefield Realty Group, warns that skipping over essential security upgrades can do more than put your belongings at risk. It could also mean your insurer refuses to pay out after a burglary, potentially leaving you with a bill close to £3,000.
“September is a time when many families are back from summer holidays and burglars are on the lookout,” Michael explains. “If you’ve put off upgrading your security, now’s the moment to act. Failing to meet your insurer’s security requirements can be as costly as the burglary itself.”
According to the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) reports, there were around 2.9 million incidents of theft in the year ending December 2024, an increase from the prior year but short of three million. The average cost of a burglary to a homeowner is £2,856. This figure includes the cost of stolen items and damages, with the value of stolen goods accounting for the majority of the costs—and that’s before factoring in the emotional toll of losing precious possessions.
Michael says too many homeowners assume their insurer will automatically cover them after a break-in. “In reality,” he stresses, “most insurers expect you to maintain what they call ‘a minimum level of security’. If your locks, alarms, or window fastenings don’t meet the standards laid out in your policy, your claim could be rejected outright.”
He explains that this is where homeowners can stumble. “Policies vary. If you live in what’s considered a higher-crime area, your insurer may stipulate very specific lock types,” he said. “It’s not unusual to see requirements such as a five-lever mortice deadlock, which is the gold standard for security, or a multi-point locking system that secures the door in several places.”
Neglecting this detail can be an expensive mistake. “If you’ve got outdated locks, or worse, if they’re broken or rarely used, your insurer could argue you’ve not taken reasonable precautions,” Michael adds. “That leaves you not only dealing with the shock of a burglary but also facing the entire repair and replacement bill yourself.”
So what can homeowners do as the nights begin to draw in? Michael suggests starting with a simple audit of your current locks and alarms. “Go through your policy carefully and check whether the locks on your front and back doors actually match what’s specified,” he advises.
“If they don’t, the fix is straightforward. Secure, insurer-approved locks are readily available from places like Screwfix, B&Q and Homebase. Think of it as an investment – better locks might cost you £50 to £100 upfront, but they could save you thousands.”
And it’s not just about meeting policy requirements. Michael says updated locks and alarm systems act as deterrents in their own right. He said: “Burglars are opportunists. If they see a home with robust locks and a working alarm box outside, they’re far more likely to move on. That not only reduces your risk of being burgled but can sometimes even lower your insurance premiums.”
The expert also points out that September is an ideal month to carry out these upgrades. “With children back at school and the festive season still a few months away, homeowners have the headspace to look at these important but often overlooked details,” he says. “Leaving it until December, when burglary rates often spike, is a gamble.”
And while locks may seem mundane compared to decorating trends or kitchen renovations, Michael insists they deserve top priority. “We talk about home improvements boosting property value, but there’s nothing more valuable than peace of mind,” he adds. “For less than the price of a family meal out, you can protect your home from potentially devastating financial and emotional losses. In my book, that’s money well spent.”