Do Alarm Systems Help with Insurance

Most insurance companies encourage homeowners to install monitored security systems by offering them substantial discounts on homeowner’s insurance (20 percent on average).

Real Savings

While insurance companies won’t contribute to the cost of your alarm system’s installation, the savings offered will often offset a significant portion of the installation or monitoring fees. However, it is still worth checking with your insurance company to see.

Why the Insurance Companies Care

A comprehensive two-year study by Rutgers University School of Criminal Justice performed multiple studies to determine the impact of alarm systems on home crime rates.  Their findings:  An alarming single-family home is more than 60 percent less likely to be burgled than a similar home without an alarm.

Bigger Discounts for Fire plus Intrusion

The biggest insurance discounts come from a system that monitors for intrusion and fire.  In addition to discouraging burglars, modern alarm systems also reduce potential fire damage.  According to statistics from the Insurance Information Institute, fire and lightning claims are almost 10 times higher than claims for burglaries and thefts.