The discount on the homeowner’s insurance premium also varies depending on the type of system you install. Insurers may give you a 5 per cent discount on your premium if you install dead-bolt locks. If you install an advanced security system with monitoring services, you can get a discount of up to 20 per cent on your homeowner’s insurance premium.
You can get additional discounts on your homeowner’s insurance premium, if you install other devices like smoke detectors and sprinkler systems. Your insurance agent will guide you about the different types of discounts that you can avail. He can also guide you about saving more on your premiums, by installing additional security equipment.
You need to make a list of all your possessions when you take out an insurance policy. It is easier to make a list of your belongings when you move into a house and everything is in the open. To take inventory of your belongings, you can make a written list or use a still camera to take photographs. You can also use a video camera, or fill in the blanks in special home inventory software.
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Most insurance companies will give you a discount on your homeowner’s insurance premium if you install an alarm system in your house. The discount will depend on the type of alarm that is installed and the reputation of the company that has installed the alarm. It is therefore advisable to take the help of either a home security company or an insurance agent before installing the burglar alarm.
The reason insurance companies offer discounts is not difficult to understand. They realize that homes that are protected by professional burglar alarm systems are less likely to be burgled, and are therefore ready to offer discounts to homeowners who have such alarms installed in their homes.
Some burglar alarm system providers conduct a systematic appraisal of your home to detect the areas that are most vulnerable. They ensure that these areas are protected by the burglar alarm system. They then issue discount certificates to your insurer, which enable you to get a better discount on your homeowner’s insurance premium.
This appraisal enables your insurer to know that your valuables are protected and you are able to save money. Home security systems are available with different levels of sophistication and performance. The prices also differ widely depending on the type of system.
The next component to install is the contact sensor. These sensors should be installed in those areas within a home through which an intruder is expected to pass. Once again this decision has to be taken by the house owner. He should select a place that is close to the entry or exit point, and would invariably pick up any motion.
Finally, the house owner needs to install the keypad. This device should be installed near the entry door to enable the house owner to arm or disarm the alarm with ease. A house owner can add light motion-sensor lights around the home. These lights should switch on whenever an individual passes underneath them.
A similar procedure is to be followed in the case of a hard-wired alarm. The only difference is that all the components of the alarm system have to be connected by electrical wiring. Since this wiring should be concealed, the house owner has to make an extra effort to install the alarm system.
A burglar alarm install manual is the best way to install an alarm system. It explains how a house owner needs to install a burglar alarm. However, before installing the alarm the house owner needs to survey the property, and decide how many doors and windows present a security threat. He also needs to look at large halls and sitting spaces that need to be protected against intruder break in.
His next step should be to decide on the kind of alarm he wants to install. The house owner has the option to select a wireless alarm or a hard-wired alarm. A wireless alarm is generally easier to install because it requires no wires to be run across the house. The different components of the alarm can be plugged in selected spots as per the instructions given in the installation manual.
The ideal place to install the control panel, which works as the brains of the alarm system, is in the basement or at any other place where it cannot be easily spotted by an intruder. Also, it should be within range, that is the control panel should be able to pick up signals from other wireless components like sensors and magnetic switches.
The house owner then needs to install the magnetic switches on all those doors and windows from where a possible intruder can enter. These switches comprise of two parts — a switch and a magnet — and are not difficult to install. The house owner must only make sure that the distance between the switch and the magnet is not too large to allow the intruder to walk in, unnoticed. The alarm must go off when the distance between the switch and the magnet increases.
You can get the premium system from Brink s for $ 205. For just $ 106 more, you will get all the features of a Standard System, as well as a premium keypad and an additional perimeter sensor. The premium keypad has a backlit display and it guides you through the system s functions.
All these systems are hi-tech and highly dependable, and are today being used by almost a million Americans and Canadians.
The company itself is an affiliate of Brink s Incorporated, one of the world s largest secure transportation service provider. The company that was formed in 1983 has its headquarters in Irving, Texas. The Brink s National Service Center, which provides alarm monitoring and other customer services, is also located there.
A Brink s home security system can protect your home 24 hours a day and give you peace of mind. All that you need to do is to select a system that suits your budget.
A $ 99 standard system from Brink s can alert you each time a protected door or window is opened. It has a zone bypass feature and one-touch police and fire emergency buttons.
The standard keypad has three emergency buttons. You can use them to inform Brink s that you need police, fire or medical aid. The keypad is simple to use and it allows the system to be turned off by entering a numeric code. The system includes two perimeter sensors. If a secured door or window is opened while the system is armed, the alarm will be triggered.
The master control panel transmits the monitoring data to Brink s central monitoring center. It is equipped with an enclosed back-up battery so that it can keep working in the event of a power failure.
A motion detector is provided to monitor open areas. If there is any movement within your home, the alarm is triggered. A loud 90-decibel siren, which is a part of the system, goes off when the alarm is triggered.
Brink s yard sign and window decals inform potential intruders that your home is protected by Brink s security system. This is meant to act as a deterrent.
ADT provides a wide range of security systems based on an individual s budget. It also offers a 20 per cent discount on the homeowner s insurance premium, making it easier to install a home security system.
There are six inter-connected ADT Customer Monitoring Centers located all over the US. These are designed to withstand power breakdowns and disasters. Each center is equipped with powerful computers and secure communication systems with multiple back-ups. If you lose contact with one center, another takes over.
ADT provides several benefits to its customers. These include:
a) Payment of insurance, deductible up to a maximum of $ 500, in case there is a theft.
b) Refund of installation and monitoring fees if a customer is not satisfied with the security system. However, this refund is to be claimed within six months.
c) Customers who move house within two years of installation are given a $ 100 discount on the installation of a Safewatch Essentials or Safewatch Essentials Plus monitored security system.
No wonder ADT is a much sought after security agency.
ADT Home Security is the oldest and biggest electronic security company in the US, with over 130 years of service to its credit. The company has been at the forefront of innovations in electronic security services. Initially it provided simple call boxes; today it provides interactive video surveillance.
Most of America s Fortune 500 companies and financial institutions are protected by ADT. The company also provides security to millions of residential customers across the US.
ADT offers four levels of deterrence:
1. The first is a yard sign that is meant to deter potential intruders by stating that this house is under the protection of ADT.
2. If a burglar misses the yard sign, he will see the warning decals on the windows.
3. The third deterrent is a loud siren that goes off whenever a burglar trips the alarm.
4. The fourth is 24-hour monitoring facility that monitors all activities at a customer s house and alerts the authorities whenever the alarm is triggered.
ADT takes great pride in its highly trained and safety-certified, monitoring staff. They are trained not only to take care of burglaries, but also for emergencies caused by flooding, fire/smoke accidents and carbon monoxide poisoning.