Burglar alarm Optima XM

downshifted

I have not touched this since we moved in. It has sensors in several rooms (some of which we have disconnected while replacing doors etc)

Is it worth bothering with? What would it cost to get new sensors set up?

Or would it be better to fit a new system? Will this one qualify me for an insurance discount when I renew?

Do we really need a burglar alarm - do they make a difference?

muckybutt

downshifted wrote: »

I have not touched this since we moved in. It has sensors in several rooms (some of which we have disconnected while replacing doors etc)

Is it worth bothering with? What would it cost to get new sensors set up?

Or would it be better to fit a new system? Will this one qualify me for an insurance discount when I renew?

Do we really need a burglar alarm - do they make a difference?

It depends upon what kind of area you live in and wether you feel the need for an alarm. New sensors vary in cost from between £10 and £30 depending what type you get, cost more obviously is an alarm engineer fits them.

A new system would generally be required for it to be insurance approved, and it has to be done by a NACOSS approved installer.

If a scroat sees something they want then nothing is gonna stop em getting it other than a German Shepard ! an alarm is merely a deterrent, ring you local crime prevention officer up for a home visit and advice and ask about local crime.

If you still feel the need then repair or get a new one.

stator

I think that's quite an old unit, if you get your local alarm co out to refit the sensors they will probably want to replace it with the latest cheapo model

downshifted

Thanks for all these replies. We are in Broadstairs - not in a high crime area. I will get the CPO out, I think. We've never bothered with an alarm before - we don't go in for high value stuff around the house, and to me it just screams "we have something we wish to protect!"

SimbaSimon

downshifted wrote: »

Thanks for all these replies. We are in Broadstairs - not in a high crime area. I will get the CPO out, I think. We've never bothered with an alarm before - we don't go in for high value stuff around the house, and to me it just screams "we have something we wish to protect!"

Put your mindset in the head of a burglar. You walk down a street checking places out, you want an easy ride, something where you can get it and out with no disturbance. You walk past number 52 with his burglar alarm, is it linked up to a live database, will it go off? Hmm. Perhaps look at number 53. Ooo no alarm, that should be easy, think I'll do that one. Sweet iPods and laptops and no one even has a clue... mwahahaha.

Therefore, yes an alarm is an excellent deterrant.

DebbieR

Your Optima panel is an old one but it could still last for years. My OH runs an alarm company and he has Optimas which he installed in 1992 which are still going strong. You could just replace the sensors and probably the standby battery (if it's been in for over 5 years) it depends on your finances. As a rough guide replacing each detector would be about £25-£30, standby battery about £15-£20, plus a bit on top for labour. Then you'd probably have to pay anything from £40 upwards for your maintenance contract depending on which company you choose.

Check with your insurance about whether your alarm needs to be maintained by a NACOSS approved installer. Some just say that you need to prove it has been serviced regularly, some say NACOSS, some say any alarm company as long as they are a member of a UKAS accredited inspectorate, which includes NACOSS and SSAIB.
Bear in mind though that if you do get a discount for having a maintained alarm system and you forget to set the system when you go out, then get burgled, the insurance company can refuse to pay out some or all of your claim...check your policy just in case.

Getting the local CPO out is a good idea. Most will have a list of recognised installers and you should get around three quotes so you can compare the different types of system around - there's a huge variety these days.