Get in touch
So, you want to protect your vehicle when it’s on your driveway – perhaps you’ve bought a new car or are just worried about the possibility of car theft.
One of the best ways to do this is by installing bollards. In some instances, an insurance company might recommend installing a driveway security post to increase the level of protection at your property, but making sure that you get the right driveway bollard is essential. An insurance-approved bollard is the gold standard for protecting your driveway and deterring thieves from attempting to steal your vehicle.
ATG Access have a range of insurance-approved bollards for the purpose of keeping your property as safe as possible at all times.
But what exactly does “insurance-approved bollard” mean and does it matter? In this blog, we will explain the meaning of insurance-approved bollards and why they are often a better option for protecting your pride and joy.
Wall thickness requirements
When it comes to determining whether a bollard is insurance-approved, one of the key factors to consider is the thickness of its wall. Insurance companies typically require that bollards have a minimum thickness of wall in order to be considered “insurance-approved.” This thickness is necessary to ensure that the bollard wall can withstand the impact of a vehicle without denting too far or breaking, providing adequate protection for the property behind it.
The thickness of the security bollard wall might vary depending on the category of bollard – whether a lift-out bollard (removable), retractable bollard (telescopic), or fixed security post – but the team at ATG Access will be able to help you determine which type and which thickness is right for you.
It’s important to note that the thickness of a bollard wall alone does not determine its ability to withstand impact. The material and design of the bollard also play a crucial role in its ability to protect your property. However, a bollard that meets the minimum thickness in the wall is a good starting point for insurance approval.
The foundations
There are several different types of driveway bollards available from ATG: lift-out, retractable, fixed, and folding. For most households, lift out or retractable are the preferred option, particularly when compared to folding bollards.
Lift out and retractable bollards are easy to remove so manoeuvring your vehicle is also easy. Arguably so are folding bollards, although the deeper foundations that lift-out and retractable bollards have make them much stronger than folding bollards, which are often just bolted to the ground. They also don’t provide the same level of security as lift-out or retractable bollards.
It’s important to note that many insurance companies may not consider folding bollards as insurance approved due to their comparative lack of durability and security. They do however make great lightweight bollard options if you’re simply looking for a parking space marker or a visual deterrent.
The lock mechanism
Another important feature to look for when choosing an insurance-approved bollard is the lock mechanism. A secure lock mechanism is crucial for ensuring that the bollard is not easily tampered with. Look for driveway bollards with a Sold Secure locking mechanism, these bollards are made to add another level of security for your property.
Additionally, many insurance-approved bollards are designed with multiple locking points, which provides even more security against tampering or unauthorised removal. So, make sure that the lock mechanism is durable and secure when choosing your security bollard. ATG Access offers telescopic and removable options for residential bollards to provide both security and ease-of-access, all made with Sold Secure locks for complete peace of mind.
Tamper-proof handles
Handle design can be the difference between a secure bollard and a relatively useless metal column! Our insurance-approved bollards are designed with a handle that will intentionally break off if someone attempts to tamper with it, making sure that your car is safe and secure.
This is a really simple but clever feature. It makes it impossible for an unauthorised individual to remove the bollard because the handle has to turn to allow the bollard to lift out or retract. With a bollard handle that is designed to break off if tampered with, you can be sure that your cars and other vehicles are safe and secure.
ATG Access is an insurance-approved partner, offering some of the most secure bollards available on the residential and commercial market. Our team have been developing bollards for driveways for over 30 years, and we were one of the first companies to partner with insurance companies to develop insurance-approved bollards. When you’re looking for peace of mind, think of ATG Access.
Browse a selection of our Insurance-Approved Bollards below or find your ideal security bollard using our product finder. If you have any questions about fulfilling your home security requirements, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team.
