27 Jun 2014
What Are ‘Minimum Security’ Conditions in a Policy?
When your optician’s practise is subject to a theft, you may notice that your insurance policy states that your cover is subject to ‘minimum security conditions’ but what does this mean exactly?
In summary it relates to the types of opening doors, shutters and windows you have at your premises and the types of locks in use to secure them as potential entry points for burglars. If you do suffer a break-in and you do not have the correctly specified locking devices your claim may be refused.
Each insurer has a different set of ‘minimum security conditions’ for each of it’s policies, but your policy document/policy schedule should define exactly what your insurers standards are. The conditions may depend on the location of your practise, the type of property you are in, and the breadth and depth of the policy.
For now, InFocus are bringing you a general guide on what’s required:
Final Exit Door
All external, final exit doors should be secured by a 5-lever mortice deadlock.
All Other Doors
Other external doors are usually required to have key operated security bolts, deadlocks and/or locks conforming to British Standards specifications.
Windows
Ground floor windows, and windows accessible from roofs, balconies, staircases etc., must be fitted with at least one key operated lock. Alternatively, they should be screwed or fixed shut.
Insurers may also require:
Alarm
If your policy specifies that you must have an alarm you need to be sure it complies with the ‘Alarm Warranty’. This will ordinarily specify that the alarm must be annually maintained by an industry approved alarm company (i.e. NACOSS or SSAIB). Depending on values at risk and location insurers sometimes insist that the alarm must be monitored by an approved Monitoring Company and it will specify the types of alarm activation messaging and remote monitoring devices (types of phone lines and what sort of Audio or Visual devices are to be installed).
Any other safety measure, CCTV, Security bolts…
To talk to a member of our team about insurance for your opticians practise simply get in touch with Infocus today.