Four Common Alarm System Misconceptions

If homeowners knew the vulnerable feeling of a home invasion; they would not be without a home security system. The main reason that homeowners don’t have a system installed is because of their misconceptions about them. Here are a four common concerns and the truth behind them.

Many people worry about false alarms. The home security systems of the 1970’s and 80’s frequently had false alarms, which would leave people feeling like they were crying “wolf”. However, today’s systems use two-way monitoring that allows the homeowner to speak directly with the monitoring center. Today’s systems have better signals that are not easily tripped by your indoor cat or small dog. Plus, many alarms give you the option to cancel the call immediately after the alarm is sounded. There is a momentary delay that allows the authorized user to communicate with the command center, letting them know that they are authorized to be there.

Some homeowners worry that if their phone lines are cut that they won’t have protection. Most vendors of home security systems offer cellular back up to prevent this from occurring.

Another concern is that if the power goes out, there won’t be any coverage or protection. Again, the home security system providers often include battery back-up services with their systems. The phone and electric back up systems are automatic and immediate, and prevent a disruption in service if there were a failure in the existing phone or electric lines. 

Many homeowners think that a home security system takes too long to install. For an average sized home, installation takes less than a day. A service vendor can have the alarm installed, working, and your family trained on how to use it in less than 8 hours.

Lastly, a very common misconception is that if you have homeowner’s insurance, that you don’t need a home security system. Insurance is coverage that is used after the fact – after the burglar has take priceless heirlooms, irreplaceable values, and stolen your family’s sense of security in their own home.  Insurance doesn’t cover many of the things that a home invasion does to you and your family. There are often gaps in coverage depending on what you scheduled for valuables on your homeowner’s forms prior to the incident. And if something is partly damaged, sometimes these items are not covered. Most importantly, are the damages that are done to items of sentimental value? The antique silver spoon might have only been worth $50; however, it may have been the only thing you have from your great-grandmother. Wouldn’t it be better if the whole incident had never occurred?

So how do you go about choosing a home security system, and who do you contact? When you are shopping around for the best home security system to install at your home, have them come to your property and provide you with suggestions for complete coverage. Learn about what the service vendor has to offer you and confirm that they are offering you the best security coverage for your home, property and family.