How a Home Alarm System Can Help Protect Your Family and Save You More Money
September 05, 2023
Home security is not something you should take lightly. According to the FBI, there were over 1.1 million burglaries in the US in 2020, resulting in an average loss of $2,661 per victim. Not to mention the psychological impact of having your home invaded by strangers.
That's why investing in a home alarm system is a smart decision for any homeowner who wants to protect their family and property from harm. A home alarm system can offer you many benefits, such as:
- Protection from burglary, home intrusion, fire, and other environmental disasters
- Deterrence to burglars who look for signs of an alarm before attempting a break-in
- Peace of mind knowing that your home is monitored by professionals even when you're away or asleep
- Convenience and energy savings with home automation features that let you control your lights, thermostat, locks, and more from your smartphone
- Reduced home insurance premiums as many insurers offer discounts for homes with security systems
In this blog post, we'll explain how a home alarm system can provide you with these benefits and more. We'll also give you some tips on how to choose the best home alarm system for your needs and budget.
Protection from burglary, home intrusion, fire, and other environmental disasters
The main priority of a home alarm system is to protect your property and those inside it from burglary, home intrusion, fire, and other environmental disasters such as burst pipes or gas leaks.
A home alarm system consists of various sensors and devices that detect any signs of trouble, such as:
- Door and window sensors that trigger an alarm when opened or broken
- Motion detectors that sense movement in your home when it's armed
- Glass break sensors that detect the sound of breaking glass
- Smoke detectors that alert you to fire or smoke
- Carbon monoxide detectors that warn you of dangerous levels of CO gas
- Flood sensors that notify you of water leaks or flooding
- Temperature sensors that monitor the temperature in your home and alert you to extreme changes
When any of these sensors are triggered, they send a signal to the control panel, which then communicates with the monitoring center. The monitoring center will contact you to verify the emergency and dispatch the appropriate authorities if needed.
Some home alarm systems also have panic buttons or pendants that you can press in case of a medical emergency or if you feel threatened by an intruder. These devices can connect you to a live operator who can assist you and send help.
Deterrence to burglars who look for signs of an alarm before attempting a break-in
Another benefit of a home alarm system is that it can deter potential burglars from targeting your home in the first place. Burglars are opportunistic criminals who look for easy targets with low risk and high reward. They often scout out homes before attempting a break-in, looking for signs of an alarm system such as:
- Stickers and yard signs that indicate the presence of a security company
- Outdoor cameras that record video footage of the surroundings
- Doorbell cameras that let you see and talk to visitors at your door
- Smart locks that require a code or a key fob to unlock
- Smart lights that turn on and off automatically or remotely
According to a study by UNC Charlotte, 83% of burglars looked for signs of an alarm before breaking into a home, and more than half said they would give up if they saw one. Therefore, having visible signs of an alarm system can make your home less attractive to burglars and more likely to be skipped over.
Peace of mind knowing that your home is monitored by professionals even when you're away or asleep
Perhaps the greatest benefit of a home alarm system is the sense of security and comfort it gives you. When you know that your home is protected by professionals who are ready to respond to any emergency, you can relax and enjoy your life without worrying about what might happen.
A home alarm system can also help you stay connected to your home even when you're away or asleep. With a smartphone app, you can:
- Arm and disarm your system remotely
- Receive alerts and notifications when something happens at your home
- View live or recorded video from your cameras
- Speak to visitors at your door through your doorbell camera
- Control your smart devices such as lights, thermostat, locks, etc.
- Check the status of your sensors and devices
With these features, you can have peace of mind knowing that your home is safe and secure, and that you can always check on it from anywhere.
Convenience and energy savings with home automation features that let you control your lights, thermostat, locks, and more from your smartphone
Another benefit of a home alarm system is that it can make your life easier and more convenient with home automation features. Home automation is the integration of smart devices that can communicate with each other and be controlled remotely or automatically.
Some of the home automation features that a home alarm system can offer are:
- Smart lights that can turn on and off based on a schedule, your location, or your preferences
- Smart thermostat that can adjust the temperature based on a schedule, your location, or the weather
- Smart locks that can lock and unlock based on a schedule, your location, or your voice
- Smart plugs that can turn on and off any device plugged into them based on a schedule, your location, or your voice
- Smart speakers that can play music, answer questions, or control other smart devices with your voice
- Smart garage door opener that can open and close based on a schedule, your location, or your voice
These home automation features can not only make your life more convenient, but also help you save energy and money. For example, you can:
- Turn off the lights when you leave the house or go to bed
- Adjust the thermostat when you're away or at home
- Turn off the appliances when they're not in use
- Close the garage door when you forget to do so
By doing these simple things, you can reduce your energy consumption and lower your utility bills.
Reduced home insurance premiums as many insurers offer discounts for homes with security systems
The final benefit of a home alarm system is that it can save you money on your home insurance premiums. Home insurance is a type of insurance that covers your home and its contents from damage or loss caused by fire, theft, vandalism, natural disasters, and other perils.
Home insurance premiums are based on various factors, such as:
- The value of your home and its contents
- The location of your home and its exposure to risk
- The age and condition of your home and its systems
- The type and amount of coverage you choose
- The deductible you choose
- The discounts you qualify for
One of the discounts that many insurers offer is for having a home alarm system. This is because a home alarm system can reduce the risk of burglary, fire, and other perils that can cause damage or loss to your home and its contents. By having a home alarm system, you can demonstrate to your insurer that you are taking steps to protect your property and lower your claim frequency and severity.
The amount of discount you can get for having a home alarm system varies by insurer, but it can range from 5% to 20% depending on the type and level of protection you have. To get the discount, you may need to provide proof of installation and monitoring from your security company.
How to Choose the Best Home Alarm System for Your Needs and Budget
Now that you know the benefits of a home alarm system, you may be wondering how to choose the best one for your needs and budget. There are many factors to consider when choosing a home alarm system, such as:
- The type of system: wired or wireless
- The type of installation: professional or DIY
- The type of monitoring: professional or self
- The type of contract: long-term or month-to-month
- The type of equipment: basic or advanced
- The type of features: standard or smart
To help you make an informed decision, we recommend that you:
- Assess your security needs and preferences
- Compare different security companies and their plans
- Read customer reviews and ratings
- Ask for quotes and discounts
- Test the system before committing
By following these steps, you can find the best home alarm system that suits your needs and budget.
Conclusion
A home alarm system is a worthwhile investment for any homeowner who wants to protect their family and property from harm. A home alarm system can offer you many benefits, such as:
- Protection from burglary, home intrusion, fire, and other environmental disasters
- Deterrence to burglars who look for signs of an alarm before attempting a break-in
- Peace of mind knowing that your home is monitored by professionals even when you're away or asleep
- Convenience and energy savings with home automation features that let you control your lights, thermostat, locks, and more from your smartphone
- Reduced home insurance premiums as many insurers offer discounts for homes with security systems
To choose the best home alarm system for your needs and budget, we recommend that you assess your security needs and preferences, compare different security companies and their plans, read customer reviews and ratings, ask for quotes and discounts, and test the system before committing.
