OT: Home Alarm Systems

[disappointeddawg]

This was touched on a few weeks ago but was mostly about having the monitoring service going through a landline or cellular.<div>
</div><div>I am looking at providers. There is a company called FrontPoint that gets great reviews but I've never heard of them. It is monitored over a cell network and is self-install. The install is apparently really simply as everything is wireless and the sensors just use industrial grade adhesive backing so you just stick them where needed. You give them a call once everything is installed and they configure. Has anyone ever used them?</div><div>
</div><div>In the other thread a few people mentioned it was not worth getting the monitoring as the siren is usually enough. Obviously the monitoring is where the money is made and every company structures around this. If you don't sign up for a monitoring contract then the equipment costs three times more. In the end the difference in cost isn't much over a 2-3 year period. The homeowners insurance discount would likely make up the difference. I'm not sure that the discount applies without monitoring. </div><div>
</div><div>Someone also mentioned that you were getting screwed if your insurance discount didn't cover the monitoring fee. I can't find any carrier that provides a discount high enough to cover this cost. Maybe if you have a very high premium (>10k) then this would work but my premium is around $1300 so no company is about to discount the $400-$500 it would cost in yearly monitoring.</div><div>
</div><div>With FrontPoint I'm looking at $330 for equipment which I'll own and $42.99/monthly for monitoring. This is their automated package which I can control and monitor from a smartphone. Without this automation it would be $35/month. It would be nice to have the ability to turn it off/on from my phone since we have a dog that we occasionally need the neighbors to let out. Still, that's a lot of money and I agree that the stickers on the windows and doors and the loud siren do 95% of the legwork. </div><div>
</div><div>Anyone have any advice? The reason I'm considering this is there have been a couple car break-ins in our neighborhood and the wife would feel better. </div>

 

[GloryDawg]

bd

 

[disappointeddawg]

I'm not really worried about things getting stolen. I'm worried about me or my wife being at home when it happens and being collateral damage. This is for my wife's piece of mind more than anything. I would prefer spending a few bucks on a yard sign and some door/window stickers and maybe a few motion lights but the wife is pushing for the system.<div>
</div><div>I grew up around guns and am very comfortable but that still doesn't mean I want to rely on them as my primary method of protection. I would much rather scare someone off with a loud siren than have to shoot them. The thought of shooting someone in my dark kitchen that turned out to be a friend or family member (there for whatever reason, as odd as it may seem) scares the hell out of me.</div><div>
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[DerHntr]

They are one of the best in the industry, tons of awards, etc. Their most expensive package with all the bells and whistles is 39.99.

I am actually installing mine and activating it this weekend. I am not a techy person though so I didn't go with all of the extras. Also, as you said, most of the work is done by the siren, stickers, and sign. So I don't see the need to pay a ton monthly. I am paying $12.95 a month for monitoring and no contract.

 

[GloryDawg]

Most security systems will only sound off if an door or window is open while the alarm is on. If they break the window many will not sound. You can always pay more and have all the glass fitted to sound the alarm if broken butthat isnot cheap. With that said just go buy some cheap bells and put in front of the doors and on the windows. I agree I worry about someone breaking in while I am there but I am not really worried if I am not there. If I am there I will hear the bells and grab the gun if I am not there worse case I get a new 52" flat screen.

 

[disappointeddawg]

$13/month is a much easier pill to swallow than $43. I will look into that.

 

[The Peeper]

a break-in at work in someones car. I went and re-wound the security tape to watch. When the guy broke the window, the car alarm went off and the lights started flashing. The thief calmly walked back around to his car which was parked next to the one being burglarized. He got back in his for about 20 seconds, saw that nobody was paying any attention to the alarm and flashing lights of the burglarized vehicle. He got back out of his and went and got in the one with the alarm going off. As he's in it, 3 people walk outside while the alarm is going off, they glance that way, and then just keep walking to their vehicle. The thief gets out, walks to another vehicle, smashes the glass in it, reaches in grabs a purse and calmly walks to his and leaves. The alarm and flashing lights had no impact whatsoever.

 

[PBRME]

Most security systems will only sound off if an door or window is open while the alarm is on. If they break the window many will not sound. You can always pay more and have all the glass fitted to sound the alarm if broken butthat isnot cheap. With that said just go buy some cheap bells and put in front of the doors and on the windows. I agree I worry about someone breaking in while I am there but I am not really worried if I am not there. Worse case I get a new 52" flat screen.

Some windows aren't even connected to the alarm system. Also don't use Monitronics. They are crooks. They took my 4 year cash prepay and never activated my account.

 

[DerHntr]

forgot to add in that message: don't forget that I don't have the smartphone capabilities. I didn't want them because my phone is still not smart. Even considering that, I bet their prices will be a little better.

 

[Seinfeld]

Most will have access to any equipment that you want to install and your monitoring fees will be considerably cheaper than the big names. Our system had already been installed when we moved into the house, but it includes door/window monitors, glass breaking in two rooms, and motion sensors in several rooms as well. We pay $20/month in monitoring fees and the service is excellent. We get calls any time the alarm goes off as well as when the system is completely offline such as when the power or phone line goes down. Anyway, you obviously have to be careful with who you go with, but the point is that there's no need to assume that you have to go with the big guys to get good service.

As far as the insurance discount, I honestly don't know exactly what we receive but I don't think many are going to cover the cost of equipment and/or monitoring fees. A homeowner's policy covers a lot more than just theft so I agree with you that I can't imagine that an alarm discount would be any more than a minor reduction.

Last piece of advice... If you go with motion sensors, be very careful if you have pets. They're "supposed" to disregard them when the system's armed, but it's nailed us a couple times.

 

[elmsurfer1]

I pay a yearly fee of $380. Equipment is ok but I like the thought of it being wireless AND cheaper.. I too have it for my wife's sense of security, she won't touch a gun and I've tried many times. I'd shoot someone if I had to but I think it would bother me the rest of my life.
Thanks in advance