Online Financial Tips

Article by Lonnie Sallas

Many kinds of security companies do alarm monitoring. Rates and terms for alarm monitoring can vary greatly. Some rates start as low as .95 per month while some go up to .95 per month or more for the same basic service. So “Why is there such a difference in the monthly rates and terms being offered?” you may ask. It all has to do with the business model that the security dealer is following and the level of service that they provide after the sale. There are 3 basic types of alarm monitoring companies.

* The most common alarm monitoring programs offered are 3 or 5 year agreements starting around per month. These companies are dealers for the larger national alarm companies such as ADT, Protection One, Brinks, Central Security Group, and Monitronics to name a few. These security installing dealers will often offer incentives such as free installation or free activation in order to secure your business for the next 3 years. One benefit of these type of programs for the customer is that if something should happen to the smaller dealer, the larger national company is there to ensure that the customer’s alarm is serviced as needed. Although most national companies do a good job of alarm monitoring, some are just interested in building their customer base. It is important to check out the national company before you agree to a long term agreement with them.

* The independent dealer is another type of alarm company that you will encounter. These security companies do not sell off their agreements, but opt to hold their own paper. They tend to be much smaller than the larger national dealers. Smaller independent dealers will usually have to charge an installation fee of some sort since they are not being paid up front by the larger national company for the contract. As a result, you will usually have a bit lower monthly rate, since you paid something up front to help defray the cost. Since you are paying some of the cost for the installation and activation up front, many times an independent alarm dealer can offer a shorter term agreement. Some of these type security companies can be a bit more responsive in terms of service, while others can just be downright awful.

* The web based companies are the third type of alarm monitoring company that you may find. These companies offer a very low rate, but nothing in the way of repair service. If you have a service issue, you have to call another company to get service. If you are not being monitored by an alarm company, it is highly unlikely that the alarm company would be willing to work on your security system due to the liability that it presents. As if not having anyone available to service the alarm weren’t bad enough, most of these web based companies are not UL (Underwriters Laboratories) listed. If your alarm monitoring company is not UL listed, you may lose your available insurance discounts for having a monitored alarm system.

One of the best ways to ensure that you are dealing with a reputable alarm monitoring company is to check your local Better Business Bureau. Reviews of alarm monitoring companies that you see on line are often unreliable since most are written by salespeople that work for different companies. In some areas of the country, the security business is pretty cut throat. There is perhaps no better way of researching a company than to find their sign at one of your neighbors and ask them how happy they are with the service. Your neighbor will be able to give you an unbiased review.

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