Monitored Alarm

Experting

I am looking at getting a monitored alarm from either ADT, Chubb or SECOM. However none of these companies list their prices/contracts etc. I have read the reviews on all and they are all mixed.

Just wondering if anyone has any recommendations from either company? Or if anyone has any information on their costs.

I don't want to contact the companies yet as i don't want them to start pestering me as I am just looking at the moment.

Crag30

Our last bill was something like £2000 for 5 years, and they've just tried to sign us up early saying if we wait till end of contract it'll be £3000 ��

EssexExile

My neighbours had a Chubb system, it was forever going wrong & the service engineer was a regular visitor.
When they moved the new people went with ADT, it is forever going wrong & the service engineer is a regular visitor.
False alarms are a regular occurrence but & I've only ever see the police turn up once.

That seems like an awful lot of money for something that doesn't work very well.

markin

Just install a basic one and have cctv that sends phone alerts.

Owain_Moneysaver

Experting wrote: »

I am looking at getting a monitored alarm from either ADT, Chubb or SECOM.

Pretty pointless unless you also have a Redcare secure telephone line and GSM backup signalling, and a guarding/keyholding service that can guarantee very prompt response.

Otherwise all that happens is the alarm phones the alarm company and they phone you to tell you the alarm's gone off. They cannot usually phone the police and get a police attendance as there is no confirmation that an intruder is present.

If you have an alarm that phones you direct, and you can access live CCTV showing an intruder present, the police will usually accept that as confirmation of intruder present, and attend.

With many alarm contracts you never own the alarm, only rent it (paying for the hardware many times over) and you may also get stung by premium rate phone calls every time the alarm 'phones home' (which may be every day, just to [STRIKE]rack up profits for the alarm company[/STRIKE] prove it's working).

And don't tell your insurance company you have an alarm, as if you forget to set it while you're in the garden and Mr Tealeaf reaches in through the window and halfinches the Ipad on the window sill they will reject your claim.

Ant555

first question - Have you definitely decided on a monitored alarm system -if still undecided then what benefit(s) are you hoping to get from a monitored alarm over a non-monitored alarm.

Experting

markin wrote: »

Just install a basic one and have cctv that sends phone alerts.

Any suggestions? Don't want a yale one.

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

Pretty pointless unless you also have a Redcare secure telephone line and GSM backup signalling, and a guarding/keyholding service that can guarantee very prompt response.

Otherwise all that happens is the alarm phones the alarm company and they phone you to tell you the alarm's gone off. They cannot usually phone the police and get a police attendance as there is no confirmation that an intruder is present.

If you have an alarm that phones you direct, and you can access live CCTV showing an intruder present, the police will usually accept that as confirmation of intruder present, and attend.

With many alarm contracts you never own the alarm, only rent it (paying for the hardware many times over) and you may also get stung by premium rate phone calls every time the alarm 'phones home' (which may be every day, just to [STRIKE]rack up profits for the alarm company[/STRIKE] prove it's working).

And don't tell your insurance company you have an alarm, as if you forget to set it while you're in the garden and Mr Tealeaf reaches in through the window and halfinches the Ipad on the window sill they will reject your claim.

Ive tried a Yale one and to be honest, it isn't great. The siren battery keeps running flat so just fed up with it now. Would like a professional one installed. I won't be telling the insurance company though.

Ant555 wrote: »

first question - Have you definitely decided on a monitored alarm system -if still undecided then what benefit(s) are you hoping to get from a monitored alarm over a non-monitored alarm.

Basically the installation, yearly maintenance of the alarm kit and the safety knowledge that it's monitored.

Experting

EssexExile wrote: »

My neighbours had a Chubb system, it was forever going wrong & the service engineer was a regular visitor.
When they moved the new people went with ADT, it is forever going wrong & the service engineer is a regular visitor.
False alarms are a regular occurrence but & I've only ever see the police turn up once.

That seems like an awful lot of money for something that doesn't work very well.

I am hoping to get one without the issues

markin wrote: »

Just install a basic one and have cctv that sends phone alerts.

Any suggestions? I don't want a Yale or a Response one.

Crag30 wrote: »

Our last bill was something like £2000 for 5 years, and they've just tried to sign us up early saying if we wait till end of contract it'll be £3000 ��

Who was this with?