Tips on Home Security Montioring Companies & How You Can Get a Great Deal
There are many different types of security companies that do alarm monitoring. The type of security company you are getting a quote from will have a great bearing on the rates and terms you are quoted. Alarm monitoring rates can start as low as $10 per month while some go up to $40 per month or more for the same basic service. So “Why is there such a difference in the monthly rates and terms being offered?” you may ask. It all has to do with the business model that the security dealer is following and the level of service that they provide after the sale. There are 3 basic business models that security dealers fall into.
- Most alarm monitoring programs start around per month with a 3 -5 year term agreement. These companies are usually associated with national dealer programs such as Brinks, ADT, Protection One, Monitronics, and Central Security Group. Incentives such as free installation or free activation are often offered by these security dealers in order to obtain your monitoring business. A benefit in regards to these type programs is that the national company is there to back up the local security dealer in terms of service. A few of the national dealer programs are more interested in building their account base than they are in doing a good job of monitoring your home or business. Be sure to do your due diligence before signing with any security provider.
- Another type of alarm company is the independent security dealer. These tend to be smaller companies that hold their own paper. Independent dealers will often charge an installation or activation fee when you connect your service since they are not getting paid up front for their contracts like the national security dealers are. Since you are paying some of the cost for the installation and activation up front, many times an independent alarm dealer can offer a shorter term agreement. Some of these type security companies can be a bit more responsive in terms of service, while others can just be downright awful.
- The third type of monitoring company that you will find are the strictly web based companies. They will offer an extremely low rate, but that is about it.Should the need arise for service for your security system, you will be instructed by the web based company to go through the phone book and find another alarm company that is willing to service your alarm. Very few alarm installing dealers would be willing to work on a system that is being monitored by another company due to the liability it presents. In addition to the service issue, these companies are often not Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listed. If your alarm monitoring company is not UL listed, you may lose your available insurance discounts for having a monitored alarm system.
Always check with the local Better Business Bureau prior to signing an agreement for security service. Reviews of alarm monitoring companies that you see on line are often unreliable since most are written by salespeople that work for different companies. The security business can be vicious in some areas. If you are considering a particular alarm monitoring company, look for their sign in a neighbor’s yard and ask them about their experience with the company. There you will be able to get an honest and unbiased review.
Lonnie Sallas is a 13 year veteran of the security business and President of Texstar Alarm Systems in Houston Texas. Texstar Alarm Systems is a 9+ year old company specializing in the best in Houston Alarm Monitoring. We offer flexible rates & terms and are a member of the Better Business Bureau of Greater Houston. Texstar Alarms also installs Honeywell and DSC security systems in Houston and surrounding areas. Give us a call for all your security, audio, and CCTV needs.
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