Alarm Systems + how to reduce your insurance costs

cloudwalker_3

At the moment we have very secure locks on all our doors (we have a Yale type deadbolt plus a 12 lever mortise on the front door)and key operated locks on the windows. However, we don't have an alarm system.

I'm tempted to get one professionally fitted with a view to a potential reduction in the amount we pay out in insurance each year, but I'm wondering if it's worth it?

Has anyone else had one fitted? Is it worth it? Does it reduce your insurance enough to make it worthwhile?

Thanks.

:question:

paddyandstumpy

Do some dummy quotes with/without the alarm, find the same insurer quoting and see the difference in rate.

To be honest, I'd only expect to see circa 5% discount for an alarm, and normally you'd only get a discount where one isn't needed.

Then there is the consideration, if you got one; that it would always need to be set when the property is unoccupied and overnight. If you forgot, and were burgled, the insurer may refuse to pay.

EdGasket

Yes an alarm discount is a two-edged sword because if you forget to use it or don't use it at night for instance, then in the event of a claim the insurer might have grounds to refuse paying up if 'all' security measures were not in place. Discount for me is about 5% but I am not in a high-risk area.

notbritishgas

The insurance company could insist it is professionally maintained each year.
The cost of that would far out way any insurance savings.

EdGasket

notbritishgas wrote: »

The insurance company could insist it is professionally maintained each year.
The cost of that would far out way any insurance savings.

Yes good point; I need to read my T&C's as I cancelled the maintenance years ago and saved a fortune. Now I service it myself; it had a new bell box module last year which I fitted but I bet the insurance company wouldn't count that as being properly maintained.

mufi

They are an utter pain. I have one, already fitted when I moved in, and have never used it (insurers have been told). All my neighbours have one. As I'm retired, half my life is spent listening to the wretched things going off, the other half 'phoning people and dragging them home from work to turn them off.

As far as I know, not a single one of the many alarms has ever been triggered by an actual burglar.

EdGasket

mufi wrote: »

As far as I know, not a single one of the many alarms has ever been triggered by an actual burglar.

Well mine has been and I'm very thankful that I had it fitted.