Biometric Locks: What are They and How Do They Impact Homeowners Insurance?

Biometric door locks — or smart locks — allow you to unlock your door with a combination of your fingerprint and a PIN. Smart locks typically cost a few hundred dollars and allow you to authorize several people to unlock your door. They don't add much to your home's security, so they won't have much of an impact on your homeowners insurance premiums.

What is a biometric door lock?

Biometric door locks use a thermal or optical scanner to store the fingerprints of anyone authorized to unlock your door. Once the scanner determines you are an authorized user, it prompts you to input a PIN to unlock the door. These locks are meant to provide convenience, since you don't have to keep track of a key, more than additional security. Smart locks also come with a fail-safe key, in case the batteries die or the electricity powering the lock fails.

Other types of smart locks

Biometric locks are probably the most secure smart locks, because they require your physical presence to unlock the door, but there are several other types that enable you to unlock your door without an old-school key.

Are smart locks more secure?

It's doubtful that smart locks offer more home protection. The security of any given smart lock depends on the quality of its hardware and software. If a biometric lock is easy to physically defeat, then it doesn't offer any greater security than a traditional lock.

Additionally, if the software built into a digital lock has a defect, hackers might be able to take advantage of that error to unlock your door as if they were you. And since smart locks usually come with a physical key — in case you forget your PIN or the lock's power supply is cut off — any stranger with the key can gain entry.

Finally, most burglars don't enter your home through the front door anyway. They look for unlocked doors or windows they can force open.

Smart locks offer convenience — by enabling multiple people, such as a friend or dog sitter, to open the door — but not more security.

Do smart door locks lower homeowners insurance rates?

When we reviewed discounts from major insurance companies, we did not find many references to smart or biometric locks. We only found one insurance company that offered reduced premiums for a smart lock. If Liberty Mutual is your homeowners insurance provider, you can get a discount for installing an August smart lock. However, the smart home discount is not available in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee or Wyoming.

While other insurers don't currently offer a discount for locks, they do offer savings for smart devices in general. You can lower your rates if you have other connected or networked features that enhance security or protect your home, including security cameras, centralized alarm systems and smart thermostats (to help prevent frozen pipes).

As the technology continues to develop, more insurance companies may offerdiscounts for biometric locks as well. For now, their value lies mostly in convenience, enhanced curb appeal and resale potential.