Why is getting a home security system or a home monitoring service important?

There are some revealing (and surprising for some) statistics that really highlight a need for home security systems and home monitoring for keeping your family and possessions safe.  Each year, over 2 million burglaries occur in the United States and cost burglary victims over $4 billion in damages and losses without even counting the feelings of loss, anxiety, or helplessness being a burglary victim.  Perhaps the even more revealing and scary statistic is that over 2/3 of all these burglaries occur in the daytime.  Although this statistics can be alarming and scary, there are effective tools for helping to protect your family and valuables.  It has been shown that a home with a home security system and home monitoring service is three times less likely to be victimized by burglary; home security systems with home monitoring service has been shown to be very effective in protecting your home, your family, and your possessions.  Home security systems and home monitoring also help with detections of problems with fires, smoke, and carbon monoxide.  Home monitoring services are also useful for helping with medical emergencies in contacting emergency medical personnel and passing on important and vital medical information.

I am looking for a home security system to protect my family or home but am at the very start of the process.  I would love to get more information on how to choose the right home security system for my house.  Can you help me with this home security system information?

Hi, thanks for your note and information request about home security systems.  Indeed it can be a daunting task to choose the right home security company and home security needs for your home if you have no previous experience in picking.  We’ll try to help you as best as we can with some tips for choosing the best home security system.

Before you start trying to pick up home security systems or home monitoring companies, you should first assess and determine the security needs for your house.  A good start would be to hire the services of a locksmith, home security consultant, or other people who might be experienced in this home security field such as real estate agents.  Once you understand the home security risks and needs for what you need your home security system or home monitoring service to do, you are more prepared to move onto the next step of figuring out what type of system you want.

In general, the two broad categories of home security systems are divided as wired or wireless systems.  In terms of home monitoring, you have options of standard phone or cellular monitoring contact systems.  Wired home security systems generally cost less, but wireless systems require no complicated wiring throughout the house (which can be costly or a big hassle if you need to rewire) or concerns about the house losing power.  Landline home phone contacts for the home monitoring standard is more common but some may opt for cellular contacts if there are concerns about landline phone lines being damaged through accident or by intruders.

Okay, so now I know my home security system and home monitoring needs.  What do I do next?

Okay, so now you have assessed and determined your needs for a home security company and home monitoring service and have an idea of what type of system or service you are looking for.  Now, it’s time to start shopping around for different home security system companies to see what they can offer you.  To find home security systems and home monitoring companies, you can look in phone books, online directories, or ask your friends and family for referrals and recommendations.  For each home security company, check them out fully and keep these things in mind:

• Ask the home security systems and home monitoring company how long they have been in operations.  You should find out about experiences of current and former customers of the home security customer to assess if they meet the needs and satisfaction of their clients.  You can check their service and satisfaction ratings with the BBB Better Business Bureau or ask your friends and family for their experience if they have had dealings with that home security company.
• Check out the licensing and qualifications of the home security systems company, and you will also want to verify this information with the appropriate licensing or certification agencies.
• Inquire into the company’s policies and service if there is a home security system malfunction or problem with any of the installed home security equipment.
• Since home security systems work in conjunction with a home monitoring service, check whether the home security system company does their own monitoring contracts out this service with a home monitoring service.  If they partner with another company to handle the home monitoring, you will want to do your due diligence and research the partner company as well.

With all these steps, you should be able to narrow your home security system and home monitoring choices down to a few companies.  At this point, you can request quotes and consultations with these home security companies.  Most home security systems companies are eager for your business and will offer a free assessment consultation and price quote.  With each price quote, you will want to note what equipment is included with the home security system, setup fees, warranty, guarantees, and how much the home monitoring service costs.  Also note the lengths of any contract obligations from these home security system and home monitoring services.

Another very important tip is to talk with your insurance company that provides your home insurance or fire insurance.  Many times they have relationships with different home security systems and can give you some advice about your choices and may even be able to get you some special discounts with certain home security system providers.  Some insurance carriers also provide a discount on insurance premiums if you install a home security system or get home monitoring service; ask that proof of service or installation is required for these insurance premium discounts.

How do I get the best price for a home security system or home monitoring service?

Shop around for different home security system companies with recommendations from friends and family or through phone book or internet research.  Educate yourself about what home security systems equipment and home monitoring system services each company offers and get price quotes from the companies that you feel comfortable working with.  With as much information as you can get, you can make the best decision regarding home security system companies and prices.

Getting the best price on a home security system or home monitoring service might not be the paramount thing.  Be sure to choose a home security system and home monitoring service that not only fits within your budgets but meets all your home security needs as well as provide good customer service and communications so that you feel comfortable dealing with your home security system company so that you can have peace of mind.