Does a key safe invalidate house insurance?
Most insurance companies are okay with using a key safe, so the answer is that in most cases it will not invalidate your property insurance, but do check with your provider. If the property is a holiday home or is unoccupied, it is more likely to invalidate the insurance policy. In every case, please speak with your broker and if you are thinking of adding a key safe, consult with your broker to get advice if the key safe will measure up to any requirements that may stipulate.

What is a key safe?
A key safe is a safe to hold your house keys. The key safe is located outside your property. It does beg the question, are not just making it easier for someone to break in to your home? This is why it is important that the key safe is more than a tin box, it needs to be tamperproof and meet exacting standards. Check with your NI home insurance provider as they may have a list of approved house key safe that will approve.
These key safe use a keypad that lets you enter your passcode, normally 4 digits or 6 digits. Like any password, make sure this is not simply your date of birth or "1234". For some this may be obvious, but for may they still use passwords that can easily be cracked. The password should not be shared or shared with family members only. It is also advisable to change your pass code on a regular basis in case it does get compromised.
Make Sure you Key Safe Conforms to Safety Standards
The key safe should be as secure as the front door itself. It is imperative that it meets any standards set by the insurance company. It may be ise to contact a security expert to help advise and install the key box. They should also provide a certificate to confirm it meets with the required standards. They will also give you helpfil advice on the best location and any other measure that you can take to help keep your property secure.
The police can also give you further advice, they like the experts recommend installing key safes in a location that is not visible to passer bys, like the rear of a property, an outbuilding or any other location obscured from public view.
What else can invalidate home insurance?
Whether a key safe will invalidate your home insurance policy will be a mater for the insurance provider. Please consult your house insurance provider before opting for a key safe. Ven if they are okay with a key safe, they most likely will need the key safe to be installed professionally and adhere to a list of safety standards that some cheaper key safes will fail.
Leaving your home or a property unoccupied may also invalidate your buildings and contents insurance. A property left empty will become an increase risk to the insurance provider. As such, all polices will stipulate that after if a property is left empty for a period of time, normally 30 days, the insurance will no longer provide cover. Take a moment to let that sink in, do you have a holiday home that you visit for maybe a month or more, or do you save all your holiday for an extra long holiday? In both cases, you could be leaving your property without proper insurance coverage. If you will be leaving your home empty for a prolonged period, speak with your insurance provider, as you may need to take out additional "unoccupied property insurance" or request an amendment to eh the 30-day rule.