Are Key Safe’s, Safe?
Updated November 2023
Do you have a key safe or considering buying one? Does a key safe invalidate house insurance? Key safes are popular amongst the vulnerable who struggle to come to the door when a family member or carer knock the door and so are extremely useful in having a spare key numerous people can access without the need to cut dozens of spare keys that could get lost or end up in the wrong hands.
Does a Key Safe Invalidate House Insurance?
A claim to your house insurance would become invalid if the intruder used a key to access your home. This is why it is vital that you never leave a spare key under the mat or in a plant pot (these are the first places burglars look)! But what about if an intruder gained access to your home using a key that was secured inside your key safe?
It’s a bit of a grey area with key safes and home insurance, there could be several reasons as to why the burglar has access to the keys such as, was the key safe left open and unlocked and did the perpetrator have knowledge of the combination code? All these factors including the home insurance provider’s rules will have a part to play in whether a key safe will invalidate your home insurance.
We suggest that if spare keys are needed to access a vulnerable person’s home, a key safe is the best way to go. Spare keys can get lost if multiples are cut and end up in the wrong hands and leaving a key under a rock is a big no, no. Please remember a key safe isn’t 100% secure and there is no way to currently 100% secure your home from burglars.
Types of Key Safe
First and foremost, you should only consider buying a key safe that has the police approved Secured by Design logo on them. These key safes have been put through their paces and have been approved to stand rigorous testing.
There are a few designs on the market, the most common being a 3- or 4-wheel combination key safe. Push button key safes are popular due to the ability to create a code from thousands of numerical options, and newer to the market due to the digital age you can now purchase digital key safes that operate through an app on a mobile phone.
Keyguard Digital XL Key Safe – police approved key safe
Here at Keytek® we recommend this key safe from Burton Safes for numerous reasons including:
- The world’s first key safe to be successfully certified to LPS1175 Issue 8 Police preferred specification
- Permanent, lightweight , weather-resistant cover
- Over 4,000 possible combinations which allow the owner to change the code multiple times
- Bright numbers and indicators for ease of use
- 5 year warranty
The Keyguard Digital XL Key Safe is the first key safe to achieve a LPCB, who test against physical attacks to ensure it can withstand the attack against multiple tools. This makes the key safe the industry leading certified key safe, in other words you would be hard pressed to find a safer one out there! It is also a Secured by Design and Police Preferred safe.
How to Keep your Key Safe Secure
Where you install your key safe is highly important as this can help prevent a thief from targeting it. Follow the pointers below before installing your key safe and how to keep it continually as secure as can be:
- Out of Sight: Ensure that you cannot see the key safe from the road to prevent chance burglars taking the risk to break into it. You can help conceal your key safe by hiding it behind a pipe, a window box or with a plant for example. It is also worth considering placing it somewhere you can see the safe from your home so that if someone were to try to break into it you would know about it.
- Eye level: Ensure your key safe is not placed at eye level; this will help keep it hidden to those who should not know it is there.
- Identifiable: Is the key safe easily identifiable? If so, why not try your hand at some DIY to fix a removable casing over the top of the key safe. You could try to blend this in with the other external boxes on your home such as the gas meter.
- Door location: Following on from the above pointers, you should ensure that the key safe is well hidden and not located within easy sight of the door to prevent burglary.
- Regularly change the code on your key safe to ensure that it cannot be guessed or remembered by those who should no longer know the code, e.g. moving into a home with a key safe installed.
Fitted Correctly
Remember, your key safe is only secure if it has been fitted correctly. Always check the manufacturers guide or call a professional to help if you need it. The Keyguard Digital XL comes with the fixings provided.
How to Register Key Safe with Emergency Services
If the key safe is for a vulnerable persons home it is recommended that you register the key safe with the emergency services.
Kim Freeman
Kim is Keytek’s longest-serving security blogger, with nearly a decade of hands-on experience in the security industry. Over the past 9 years, she has built trusted relationships with locksmiths and security professionals across the UK, giving her exclusive insight into the latest trends, technologies, and best practices in home security.
From traditional burglary prevention methods to cutting-edge smart home solutions, Kim covers it all. As part of her role, she regularly reviews the newest home security gadgets on the market—including smart doorbells, security cameras, and more—bringing readers honest, practical advice on how to protect their homes.
Kim’s passion for security was sparked during her time at the University of Chester, where she learned first-hand how vulnerable student housing can be to break-ins. That early experience inspired a lifelong interest in home protection, eventually leading her to join the team at Keytek.
Today, Kim combines her deep industry knowledge with a love for writing to deliver helpful, accessible content for homeowners across the UK. You can read all of her expert advice and top security tips at Keytek.co.uk, where she shares everything from seasonal safety guides to reviews of the best security products on the market.
