Home Security

Do You Have An Alarm System?

You can save as much as 5% on your homeowners insurance by installing a home alarm system. Typically the more powerful and sophisticated the system is the more you can save on your premium. It’s possible with some insurance companies to save as much as 10-20% a year.

Deadbolt = Worry Free

It’s a simple and highly effective way to protect against break-ins and it can save you as much as 5% a year in many cases on your premium. The more ways you can show the insurance company that you are protecting your home, the more willing they will be to discount your policy.

Shatterproof Windows, They Don’t Break!

These types of windows can make it quite difficult for a burglar to gain entry to your residence compared to a standard window. To lower your premiums these windows would usually need to be installed on the first floor which is where most break-ins occur. Also, tying these windows into your home alarm system through glass break monitors can lower your premium farther.

Burglar Bars Save You Money, But What The Heck Are Burglar Bars?

These prevent someone from being able to gain entry to your residence through a window. While they may not be the most pleasant to look at, they are highly effective and can save you money. Think medieval times, with wrought iron bars.

Motion Sensing Illuminators

These are light systems on the outside of your home that upon sensing motion immediately light up a designated area that is typically near an entrance. These can not only be helpful for you for easy entry to your home in the nighttime, but they can also scare off a would-be burglar. In addition, a home alarm system can plug in to these as well to alert you to motion around your property and at key entry points to your residence.

The insurance company wants to know everything.

In exchange for your hard work and investment in the safety of you property and family, they are willing to discount your premiums. Talk to your local homeowners insurance agent about how a home alarm system can save you money.

By: Tom Lustina

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While there are many benefits to home security alarm monitoring, there are some downsides as well. The ongoing cost of having such security can be quite substantial. The monitoring fee charged varies from company to company, but it typically ranges from around $10 at the low end to $50 per month.

You may also consider being locked into a contract to be another downside. Again, the length of a security alarm monitoring contract varies, 36 months being fairly typical.

When it comes to the cost of the equipment itself this is not too much of a problem for most people, as it is a one time cost. Prices vary widely, not only from alarm company to alarm company but between the different systems and what is included with them.

Then there are the deals where you are provided with a security alarm for “free” and what can be better than free? Except that we are told there is no such thing as a free breakfast. When you consider the monitoring cost over the contract term you can see that it does not hurt the alarm company too much to provide you with the equipment. Sometimes there is an activation/connection fee attached to these free deals, sometimes not.

Why then is security alarm monitoring so popular?

Because it works is the short answer. In effect having your home security monitored by an alarm company is like having someone standing watch and ready to summon help should the need arise. Should your alarm be triggered the equipment immediately informs the monitoring center. Steps are then swiftly taken to ascertain if it is a real emergency, and if so, to contact the authorities quickly in regards to the emergency. This takes place whether you or a member of your family are at home or not.

One benefit that very few people take into consideration is savings on homeowners insurance. By having extensive home security like this, you can save on your homeowners insurance cover. Because there is a constant lookout, insurance companies are more lenient, knowing that help is just around the corner should someone attempt to break in to your home.

With the seemingly ever increasing amount of burglaries and home invasions, the ongoing cost of home security monitoring may be worth it for your peace of mind alone. And this ongoing outlay not only protects your most financially valuable asset, your home, but also something even more precious, your family.

You do need to compare monitoring plans and deals, the most expensive may not be the best for you, and neither may the cheapest.

Home security alarm monitoring goes a long way in protecting your home, but you still need to back it up by being security minded. You still need to make sure that you lock your windows and doors when you go out, it is still wise to make your home look occupied even when you are out, you still need to be wary of who you invite in to your home. And, importantly, if you do have security alarm monitoring installed, it will do you no good at all unless you remember to activate it.

By: Martin Underwood

About the Author:

While there are many benefits to home security alarm monitoring, there are some downsides as well. The ongoing cost of having such security can be quite substantial.

The monitoring fee charged varies from company to company, but it typically ranges from around $10 at the low end to $50 per month.

You may also consider being locked into a contract to be another downside. Again, the length of a security alarm monitoring contract varies, 36 months being fairly typical.

When it comes to the cost of the equipment itself this is not too much of a problem for most people, as it is a one time cost. Prices vary widely, not only from alarm company to alarm company but between the different systems and what is included with them.

Then there are the deals where you are provided with a security alarm for “free” and what can be better than free? Except that we are told there is no such thing as a free breakfast. When you consider the monitoring cost over the contract term you can see that it does not hurt the alarm company too much to provide you with the equipment. Sometimes there is an activation/connection fee attached to these free deals, sometimes not.

Why then is security alarm monitoring so popular?

Because it works is the short answer. In effect having your home security monitored by an alarm company is like having someone standing watch and ready to summon help should the need arise.

Should your alarm be triggered the equipment immediately informs the monitoring center. Steps are then swiftly taken to ascertain if it is a real emergency, and if so, to contact the authorities quickly in regards to the emergency. This takes place whether you or a member of your family are at home or not.

One benefit that very few people take into consideration is savings on homeowners insurance. By having extensive home security like this, you can save on your homeowners insurance cover. Because there is a constant lookout, insurance companies are more lenient, knowing that help is just around the corner should someone attempt to break in to your home.

With the seemingly ever increasing amount of burglaries and home invasions, the ongoing cost of home security monitoring may be worth it for your peace of mind alone. And this ongoing outlay not only protects your most financially valuable asset, your home, but also something even more precious, your family.

You do need to compare monitoring plans and deals, the most expensive may not be the best for you, and neither may the cheapest.

Home security alarm monitoring goes a long way in protecting your home, but you still need to back it up by being security minded. You still need to make sure that you lock your windows and doors when you go out, it is still wise to make your home look occupied even when you are out, you still need to be wary of who you invite in to your home.

And, importantly, if you do have security alarm monitoring installed, it will do you no good at all unless you remember to activate it.



By: Martin Underwood

About the Author:

Homeowners today are looking to protect their investment at any costs. They have put too much work and effort into their homes to have it compromised by an intruder or home invasion. That is why so many people are investing in a monitored home security system. They really buy a peace of mind for homeowners in knowing that their home is secure from theft and intrusion and that there is the presence of a monitor that works with the technical components of the system to protect their home around the clock.

A home security system that is fully monitored is a true investment in the home, and it may pay off in more ways than one. In addition to preventing burglaries, many insurance companies offer a significant discount to homeowners who have a professionally installed home security system. These discounts can be as high as 20% off a homeowner’s insurance policy, which can be a substantial savings for a homeowner on a budget.  More importantly, a home security system can act as a deterrent and prevent a crime from actually occurring. Insurance companies and security experts both know that criminals often size up neighborhoods looking for likely targets that are easy marks and will contain substantial items of interest to burglars like electronics, jewelry and cash. Chances are if a home is protected by a home security system and there is signage on the property stating that fact, criminals will look for a home that is not protected by a home security system because they are easier marks.

A monitored home security system also gives people the peace of mind in knowing that their home is protected around the clock, whether they are at home or not. The home security system is made up of a variety of technical components which are designed to detect break ins and will sound a high decibel alarm that will warn that the security of the home has been breached. However, professional live monitoring takes home security to the next level by brining in a human element into the equation. Once an alarm is triggered at the home, it is not left up to neighbors to call the police upon hearing the alarm. The alarm system is directly connected to a central monitoring station where professional monitors will be alerted once an alarm is triggered in the home. The monitor will then attempt to contact the homeowner to determine the validity of the alarm. If the homeowner is not home or cannot be contacted, the monitors will then follow protocols and notify the police of the alarm that is triggered at the home so they can investigate it further.

If people choose, they can have two way communication with the monitor which is an optional upgrade for many systems, but provides peace of mind having another voice on the other end of the line during a crisis. The monitor can stay on the line and assure the homeowner that help is on the way and make sure no harm comes to the homeowner or the occupants of a home during the case of a break in or other emergency. Professional monitoring really adds value to a home security system, and people who have a home security system with professional monitoring can breath a little easier knowing their home has complete coverage and protection from theft and home invasion. It’s an investment that truly pays off in the long run.



By: Kieran Adams

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As car insurance rates continue to rise, more and more consumers are looking for ways to pay less for the same type of coverage. Here are seven of the most common ways insurance companies urge drivers to save on their annual premiums. Be sure to check with your insurance agent to see what other discounts your company may offer:

Downgrade.

Owning a less expensive car can save your insurance carrier thousands in repair costs in the event of a accident — a savings they are generally happy to pass onto their customers.

Move to the Suburbs.

Living in the city can be dangerous for your car, and insurance carriers know that. Move to a suburban or rural area with less vandalism and theft for lower rates.

Drive Less.

The less you drive, the less you pay in insurance. Why? Simple. If you’re not on the road, you can’t get in an accident and cause your insurance company money in high cost repairs. Be sure to let your agent know if you drive less than 5,000 or 10,000 miles a year.

Get Married!

Sad, but true, young singles (especially males), pay higher car insurance rates, than their more mature, married counterparts.

Drive Carefully.

Nothing will cause a boost in your insurance rates faster than a poor driving record. Accidents, tickets and DUI’s are all reported to your insurance company, leading to a rise in rates with the next bill.

Pay Your Bills Promptly.

Many insurance companies are now considering a customer’s “insurance risk score,” that is determined by their credit score to determine their individual premium rate.

Ask About Discounts.

Every insurance company offers a variety of drivers discounts including:

-Multi- premium discount (given to people with more than one type of policy with a single company – ie: homeowners, car, life insurance).

-New vehicle safety discount – the newer the car, the more safety features it generally has, which can lower damages costs in the event of an accident

-Anti-theft discount

-Good student discount – this discount is usually offered to honor students in high school and college

-New business discount

-Defensive driving discount – take a defensive driving course and obtain a rates reduction

-Accident-free discount – most insurance carriers offer periodic discounts for every year that you remain accident-free

-Loyalty discount (often given to long-term customers for 10 or more years of service)

-Multi-car discount – the more cars your family insures, the lower each individual premium should be.

Be sure to ask you agent about discounts that may apply to you.



By: Matthew Hick

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