Open Door? No Policy. How Burglars are Invalidating Your Home Insurance

July 22, 2008 - PRLog -- UK householders and business owners are being warned by leading hardware firm, UAP, that break-ins with no sign of forced entry could be the result of lock-bumping, a technique where burglars use a rogue key to trick the lock into opening.  The firm reveals that the lack of crime evidence from this type of break-in invalidates many insurance claims.

According to the firm, which has developed “Pickbuster” a low-cost solution to lock bumping, there are 20 million homes and 4 million commercial properties in the UK, of which 65% use locks susceptible to bumping.  These locks include Yale style rim locks, Euro cylinder locks and barrel locks – typically found on front and rear doors, patio doors, roller shutter doors and even padlocks.

Pickbuster, a low-cost alternative to fitting anti-bump replacement locks, is a fluid shock-absorber which is squirted into keyholes to stop the pins in the mechanism responding to bump keys, which are readily available for a few pounds on the internet.  Currently, over 600,000 websites, including social networking sites such as You Tube, make reference to and in some cases offer tips on the technique.

In recognition of the problem, new PAS 23-24 British Standards Institution (BSI) door security standards to be implemented from 2008-2010, will ensure that all new doors are fitted with bump-proof locks as standard.  However, people unable to afford new doors or replacement locks will still be vulnerable to lock bumping.

Says Chris Pankhurst, co-creator of Pickbuster: “This is such a hard-hitting crime, not only are people suffering from the intrusion and loss of their goods, but they are also struggling to claim on their home insurance.  Protecting against lock-bumping only costs a few pounds per lock - a small price to pay to safeguard possessions and the validity of insurance claims.”

For more information on the lock bumping problem and the Pickbuster product, visit www.pickbuster.co.uk.
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UAP is a leading supplier of door hardware and decorative glass products for the global construction industry. The firm also invests in new product development and supplies innovative home security products for the public, which can be viewed at www.universal-imports.com