By Susan M. Keenan
More and more homeowners are choosing to protect their homes with a home alarm system. A home alarm system comes with the monitoring service that oversees the system and contacts the proper authorities should the alarm system be triggered.
Prior to making your actual purchase, it is essential that you do your homework and do a bit of simple investigative research. A great many factors need to be taken into consideration when purchasing a home alarm system, such as the quality of the equipment, the competence of the staff who will be doing the monitoring, the cost of the monthly service, and the recommendations of your local law enforcement and personal home insurance company.
The first step to any research is to begin compiling basic information. Talk to family, friends, neighbors and coworkers about the home monitoring systems, if any, they have. Find out which ones are highly recommended, weakly recommended, or simply not recommended at all.
Next, contact your personal homeowner’s insurance agent. Tell them that you are considering acquiring a home monitoring system and ask if they have any recommendations for companies or system models. Homeowners are usually entitled to a discount on their insurance if they have certain types of alarm systems or security sensors. Talk to your agent since it could factor into your decision.
The next step is to narrow down your choices and compile a list that allows for note taking. Contact each of the companies on the list and ask a few very specific questions:
- What licenses, state and local, does the company have?
- What training have the employees taken?
- Do the employees have certification by the National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association?
- Is there a trained staff person to discuss problems that arise and troubleshoot solutions?
- Is there a customer service department, and is so, what hours and days is it open?
- How long has the company been in business?
- What type of sensors does the company offer?
- Is their equipment UL certified?
- Is the monitoring station UL certified?
- In the event of a power outage, does the monitoring station have a backup system?
- What does the basic plan cover?
- What is the cost of the monthly fee?
Next, narrow your choices down based upon the information that you have gathered. The next step is to contact a consumer protection agency and inquire about the two or three companies that you have narrowed your choices to. Set up a meeting for a home inspection.
At the time of the home inspection, ask for a written recommendation as to the sensors needed to secure your home as well as a quote for the cost. If more sensors are required than what is offered in the basic package, the cost of the service will increase.
Once you have all of your quotes in hand, simply make the best choice that you can, based upon all of the information. Follow through with the installation and enjoy the newly installed security and peace of mind that results.
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