Sliders steps up call for SBD insurance discounts
26th January 2016

SLIDERS UK is writing to insurance companies and MPs in a renewed call for insurers to offer discounts to homeowners with Secured by Design accredited windows and doors.

The company, which became the first to fabricate an SBD accredited inline sliding patio door in 2008, has launched a new industry campaign, ‘Home Security Sense’ which aims to encourage insurers to sign-up to reduced homeowner premiums where SBD products are installed.

Chairman Ian Longbottom said: “Secured by Design accredited products and building specifications have been shown to cut burglaries and crime by almost half.

“Given the cost to the insurance industry of break-ins, it seems to only make sense that a reduced premium should apply to those properties where SBD approved products have been installed in exactly the same way as they do for other security measures, for example burglar alarms.”

With the cost of home insurance claims averaging £2,178, burglaries collectively cost the insurance industry tens of millions of pounds each year, says Sliders, but despite the contribution that Secured by Design accredited building products and specifications can make in keeping criminals at bay, very few insurers offer reduced premiums.
Ian continued: “Fitting a NACOSS/NSI approved burglar alarm is cited by multiple insurers as a way that homeowners can cut what they pay for insurance. Secured by Design fulfils exactly the same role as NACOSS/NSI.

“That this isn’t yet recongised in lower homeowner premiums is even more incongruous given the Government’s current drive on home security. This includes last October’s introduction of Part Q of the Building Regulations and a PAS24:2012 or SBD specification as the new minimum requirement for new homes.”

The calls have received support from both the police service and SBD itself. Its Director, Alan McInnes, said: “Just fitting a door or window lock says little about the quality or strength of the door or window to which it is fitted.

“A certified PAS 24 / SBD product tells you that the whole unit has been tested against typical attack methods and apart from leaving the door wide open will protect you.

www.sliders-uk.com