Security Upgrades That May Reduce Risk and Could Lower Home Insurance Costs.
Written by Darren Carter. Last Updated on October 12, 2026
Home security measures can help reduce the risk of burglary, theft and some other losses. They can also influence how some insurers assess a property when calculating home insurance premiums.
Security features such as approved door and window locks, burglar alarms and smoke alarms may help reduce insurance costs with some providers. However, a discount is not guaranteed.
Insurers can have different security requirements. Therefore, if reducing your premium is an important reason for making an upgrade, ask your insurer which devices or standards it recognises before spending money.
Insurers consider a range of factors when pricing home insurance. These can include the property, location, previous claims, occupancy, security measures and the cover selected.
The ten upgrades below may help improve security. However, not every measure will reduce the premium, and the effect can vary between insurers.
A professionally installed alarm can help deter intruders and may affect the premium or policy requirements with some insurers. Before choosing a system for insurance purposes, ask your insurer which alarms and installer standards it recognises.
Some insurers specify approved installers or particular alarm standards. Monitoring arrangements and emergency-service response can also vary, so check how the system actually operates.
Smart locks can provide features such as keyless entry and remote access. However, do not assume that installing a smart lock will reduce your insurance premium.
Some insurers specify minimum standards for external door locks. Check your policy or ask the insurer what it accepts before replacing an existing lock, particularly if insurance savings are part of the reason for the upgrade.
Security cameras and video doorbells can deter crime and provide useful evidence after an incident. Whether they affect your home insurance premium will depend on the insurer.
If a domestic camera records beyond the boundary of your property, such as a public pavement, neighbouring property or communal area, data protection law may apply.
Good-quality door and window security can help reduce the risk of forced entry. It may also affect insurance quotes or policy requirements.
Check whether your insurer specifies particular lock standards before making changes. MoneyHelper recommends BSI-approved locks on external doors and windows, while individual insurers may set their own minimum security requirements.
Smoke and fire detection is first and foremost a safety measure. Some insurers may take approved alarms into account when pricing home insurance, but a premium reduction is not guaranteed.
Landlords must also meet the fire and alarm requirements that apply to their properties. For example, relevant rented homes in England are subject to specific smoke and carbon monoxide alarm requirements.
Motion-activated exterior lighting can help deter intruders around entrances and access routes. It may improve security, but there is no reliable basis for assuming that it will reduce your home insurance premium.
If premium savings are an important reason for installing it, check with your insurer first.
Fencing, gates and access controls can help restrict unauthorised access to a property. Their effect on insurance pricing varies, so treat them primarily as security measures rather than a guaranteed way to reduce premiums.
A secure safe can help protect valuables and important documents against some theft and fire risks. However, do not assume that installing a safe will reduce the insurance premium.
Contents policies can also have single-item limits or requirements for higher-value possessions. Check whether valuable items need to be listed separately and whether any security conditions apply.
Smart-home technology can help monitor lighting, doors, alarms and other devices remotely. These features may reduce some security risks, but their effect on home insurance pricing varies between insurers.
Ask your insurer before investing in smart-home technology mainly to obtain a premium reduction.
Neighbourhood Watch and similar community schemes can support local crime prevention. MoneyHelper includes joining a Neighbourhood Watch scheme among measures that may help reduce home insurance costs.
However, the effect on an individual premium or quote will depend on the insurer and the other risk factors involved.
Even with good security measures in place, theft, fire and other insured losses can still happen. If you need to make a property insurance claim, clear evidence and an understanding of the policy can help you follow the process.
When Independent Loss Adjusters is appointed, we work for the policyholder rather than the insurer. Depending on the claim, we can review the available evidence, help organise claim information, communicate with the insurer and review settlement proposals.
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Head of Marketing & Technology, Independent Loss Adjusters
Posted by Darren - Over 15 years' experience in online marketing within the insurance claims sector and works with ILA's loss adjusters and claims professionals to turn practical claims knowledge into clear, useful guidance for policyholders.
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