Insurance and window locks
Discussion
Just about to renew my house insurance and I read the small print. All the downstairs windows need to be lockable. Mine are, being double glazed, but the small print worries me a bit.
It says they have to be locked with the keys out of sight. Now I have taught my kids how to get out in a fire. Keeping them locked and hiding the keys isn't really an option I am keen on.
Would they be considered locked as they need a button pressed to release the latch or does it mean locked with the key as well?
Is this a condition with all insurance companies these days?
I'm just a bit nervous of my kids getting locked in if there is a reason when they need to exit quickly through the downstairs windows.
Unlikely I know, but I'm in dad mode :)
It says they have to be locked with the keys out of sight. Now I have taught my kids how to get out in a fire. Keeping them locked and hiding the keys isn't really an option I am keen on.
Would they be considered locked as they need a button pressed to release the latch or does it mean locked with the key as well?
Is this a condition with all insurance companies these days?
I'm just a bit nervous of my kids getting locked in if there is a reason when they need to exit quickly through the downstairs windows.
Unlikely I know, but I'm in dad mode :)
Think that you have to lock them. I have similar locks on my windows and they are always kept locked but there is a key hidden in every room which everyone knows the location of. You will also find that the same key will unlock every window, if they were all fitted at the same time.
When the windows were first put in we had a 'game' with all of the kids timing them getting the key and opening the window to see who could do it the fastest.
The kids had to do this in every room in the house.
A friend of mine has a key on a hook at the side of each window so that it can be easily taken off and used but is out of sight from the outside.
HTH
When the windows were first put in we had a 'game' with all of the kids timing them getting the key and opening the window to see who could do it the fastest.
The kids had to do this in every room in the house.
A friend of mine has a key on a hook at the side of each window so that it can be easily taken off and used but is out of sight from the outside.
HTH
:throws hat into the ring:
the insurers I deal with require that the windows have locks with keys, or if they are double glazed UPVc type they require them to be shut and locked into place but they do not require the key to be turned in the lock as they recognise that shutting a UPVc window and slotting the handle into place generally means they are locked anyway without the extra security of turning the key
the insurers I deal with require that the windows have locks with keys, or if they are double glazed UPVc type they require them to be shut and locked into place but they do not require the key to be turned in the lock as they recognise that shutting a UPVc window and slotting the handle into place generally means they are locked anyway without the extra security of turning the key

minimax said:
:throws hat into the ring:
the insurers I deal with require that the windows have locks with keys, or if they are double glazed UPVc type they require them to be shut and locked into place but they do not require the key to be turned in the lock as they recognise that shutting a UPVc window and slotting the handle into place generally means they are locked anyway without the extra security of turning the key
Interesting... I rang my old insurers and they said they needed key locking. I'm not happy, but I've had a ponder and decided to lock for now.
What an arse, insurance companies dictating how I leave my house. If ever there's an accident that could have been avoided by leaving the windows just securely shut they better have a
good lawyer
Cheers MM.
BliarOut said:
minimax said:
:throws hat into the ring:
the insurers I deal with require that the windows have locks with keys, or if they are double glazed UPVc type they require them to be shut and locked into place but they do not require the key to be turned in the lock as they recognise that shutting a UPVc window and slotting the handle into place generally means they are locked anyway without the extra security of turning the key
Interesting... I rang my old insurers and they said they needed key locking. I'm not happy, but I've had a ponder and decided to lock for now.
What an arse, insurance companies dictating how I leave my house. If ever there's an accident that could have been avoided by leaving the windows just securely shut they better have agood lawyer
![]()
Cheers MM.
which insurance co out of interest?

Had this problem when we moved a couple of years ago.
2nd (top) floor flat, no way of climbing into windows from anywhere. All windows must be locked when you are not in the room. So, hot summers day, you go from living room to kitchen to get a drink, you must lock the living room window in case spiderman fancies nicking your wallet while you are fetching a cold one
What a load of rubbish, we told them stick it and went elsewhere. Good plan to keep key on nail out of sight near window though.
>> Edited by NiceCupOfTea on Wednesday 1st June 00:53
2nd (top) floor flat, no way of climbing into windows from anywhere. All windows must be locked when you are not in the room. So, hot summers day, you go from living room to kitchen to get a drink, you must lock the living room window in case spiderman fancies nicking your wallet while you are fetching a cold one
What a load of rubbish, we told them stick it and went elsewhere. Good plan to keep key on nail out of sight near window though.
>> Edited by NiceCupOfTea on Wednesday 1st June 00:53
minimax said:
BliarOut said:
minimax said:
:throws hat into the ring:
the insurers I deal with require that the windows have locks with keys, or if they are double glazed UPVc type they require them to be shut and locked into place but they do not require the key to be turned in the lock as they recognise that shutting a UPVc window and slotting the handle into place generally means they are locked anyway without the extra security of turning the key
Interesting... I rang my old insurers and they said they needed key locking. I'm not happy, but I've had a ponder and decided to lock for now.
What an arse, insurance companies dictating how I leave my house. If ever there's an accident that could have been avoided by leaving the windows just securely shut they better have agood lawyer
![]()
Cheers MM.
which insurance co out of interest?
Both Privilige and Direct line are the same.... Not surprising really as they are part of the same company.
Strangely, I had to go from Privilige to Direct line. As a new customer I get 25% off...... Next year I have to go back to Privilige etc.
"New customers only"

BliarOut said:
minimax said:
BliarOut said:
minimax said:
:throws hat into the ring:
the insurers I deal with require that the windows have locks with keys, or if they are double glazed UPVc type they require them to be shut and locked into place but they do not require the key to be turned in the lock as they recognise that shutting a UPVc window and slotting the handle into place generally means they are locked anyway without the extra security of turning the key
Interesting... I rang my old insurers and they said they needed key locking. I'm not happy, but I've had a ponder and decided to lock for now.
What an arse, insurance companies dictating how I leave my house. If ever there's an accident that could have been avoided by leaving the windows just securely shut they better have agood lawyer
![]()
Cheers MM.
which insurance co out of interest?
Both Privilige and Direct line are the same.... Not surprising really as they are part of the same company.
Strangely, I had to go from Privilige to Direct line. As a new customer I get 25% off...... Next year I have to go back to Privilige etc.
"New customers only"
have you tried tesco? they use direct line quote costings but they have lower margins so usually are cheaper. and if you do it online you get 5% off
(no I don't work for them!)
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