Do you need a home alarm system in Prescott?

[plotter99]

I'm thinking about a alarm for the insurance savings not because I'm worried about crime. I belive in keeping a low profile. I'm not into flashy jewelry or expensive cars that said our previous home in LA had a alarm system installed. Not the 2 doors and a window offered by ADT but sensors on every door and window monitored by a center. I had the system installed because my job required me to work rotating shifts and for my wife's peace of mind. Never a break in in the 30 years we had it. I don't know if it was the signs or that we lived in a cul da sac where everyone knew everyone.

For all of you who have a alarm... Do you use a phone line, cellular or internet? What does it cost a month or quarter? And who do you recommend?
Thanks

[snebarekim]

Originally Posted by plotter99

I'm thinking about a alarm for the insurance savings not because I'm worried about crime. I belive in keeping a low profile. I'm not into flashy jewelry or expensive cars that said our previous home in LA had a alarm system installed. Not the 2 doors and a window offered by ADT but sensors on every door and window monitored by a center. I had the system installed because my job required me to work rotating shifts and for my wife's peace of mind. Never a break in in the 30 years we had it. I don't know if it was the signs or that we lived in a cul da sac where everyone knew everyone.

For all of you who have a alarm... Do you use a phone line, cellular or internet? What does it cost a month or quarter? And who do you recommend?
Thanks

Has your insurance company defined what constitutes an alarm system (such as only a system that is monitored by an outside company)?

I installed a hybrid camera/alarm system in my home in Maryland years ago, and USAA (my insurance carrier) accepted that for the discount. I monitored it myself via a smartphone, no monthly fees or other things to concern myself with. I got real time video of some guys stealing firewood from my garage once while I was at work 32 miles away, and my description to the police (and the video afterwards) led to their capture and charges. I found that lone event on its own worth the price of the system. A home invasion, even if your gone, is darn personal.

If your carrier will accept it, that may be a route to consider. It requires you to have a smart phone with you at all times though, which is something that I do anyway. Your situation may be different.

The standard systems installed by ADT and the like tend to only use sensors, so an automated call made out to the monitoring center is "dumb", they only know a sensor has been tripped, they dont know what is happening. This is particularly problematic with volumetric sensors, or motion sensors. False alarms are common, especially if one has pets and does not arm the system correctly (a common problem).

Personally, I prefer a hybrid system with cameras triggered by barrier sensors (on doors, windows and other common entry points), as one can instantly get real time video/audio of what is happening.

[snebarekim]

Originally Posted by Coop01

Most burglaries occur between 10AM and 3PM(When people are working, shopping, etc.)


A RING Video doorbell that sends live video and recording to your smart phone when someone approaches. Even has two-way audio.

I have and use one of the Ring doorbell units now on my home. If set up right, they can certianly be useful. I doubt an insurance company would accept only that as an alarm "system" though, as it only covers one access point.

[fluffythewondercat]

Originally Posted by YetiMan

Anyone who thinks in this day that some sort monitoring in their home is not necessary is very naive and setting themselves and their family up for possible disappointment or worse. The tech and the monthly monitoring is cheap enough now that you cannot afford not to get some.

Also take a look at the number of new homes that are proposed to be built. Some percentage of those could house people that do not have your safety and well being at heart.

Somebody's going to respond that druggies can't afford new homes. Probably not but their parents can.

I was working at our other house one day cleaning out stuff the hoarders had left behind when a woman from a few doors down came to see me. She wanted me to hire her adult son, who lives with her, because "He just can't seem to hold down a job. And he doesn't get hired when people see his drug convictions."

Thanks for the warning, Mom!

In the three years it took me to rehab that house, the houses on each side of ours were broken into. But not ours, because it was empty and all you had to do was shine a flashlight in a window to see that.

[snebarekim]

Originally Posted by fluffythewondercat

Somebody's going to respond that druggies can't afford new homes. Probably not but their parents can.

I was working at our other house one day cleaning out stuff the hoarders had left behind when a woman from a few doors down came to see me. She wanted me to hire her adult son, who lives with her, because "He just can't seem to hold down a job. And he doesn't get hired when people see his drug convictions."

Thanks for the warning, Mom!

In the three years it took me to rehab that house, the houses on each side of ours were broken into. But not ours, because it was empty and all you had to do was shine a flashlight in a window to see that.

Thieves may not be interested in a clearly empty home (unless they want copper or appliances), but squatters would certianly be.

[infocyde]

++ for a dog is a deterrent. Especially bigger dogs. They also force you to get off your butt and walk them. And they are companions.

[hellzbellz]

Better than just posting a "beware of dog" sign is to post one that says "certified guard dog on duty."

[Hschlick84]

This is really all you need if you want good security and you live far from the city.

[YetiMan]

Originally Posted by Hschlick84

This is really all you need if you want good security and you live far from the city.

Beautiful security combo!! The top one might be a bit much for those of a more delicate constitution.

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by plotter99

I'm thinking about a alarm for the insurance savings not because I'm worried about crime. I belive in keeping a low profile. I'm not into flashy jewelry or expensive cars that said our previous home in LA had a alarm system installed. Not the 2 doors and a window offered by ADT but sensors on every door and window monitored by a center. I had the system installed because my job required me to work rotating shifts and for my wife's peace of mind. Never a break in in the 30 years we had it. I don't know if it was the signs or that we lived in a cul da sac where everyone knew everyone.

For all of you who have a alarm... Do you use a phone line, cellular or internet? What does it cost a month or quarter? And who do you recommend?
Thanks

How much does your agent say having an alarm will save you?

According to the data, the burglary rate is very low in Prescott, http://www.city-data.com/city/Prescott-Arizona.html indicating that it is unlikely that you will experience a burglary. But if you decide you want an alarm, I'd look into Simplysafe.

When I last had an ADT alarm system active on my home, 2014, it cost me $150/month or $1,800 per year. I decided that it wasn't worth anywhere near that amount when all a burglar had to do to by pass it is cut the phone line. Plus there wasn't much a burglar would be likely to steal from my home that cost nearly that amount. So I'd be money ahead to replace anything that might get stolen.

Simplysafe, has a cellular alarm system for around $550. Their website says:

When you’re protected by SimpliSafe’s alarm monitoring, expert monitoring specialists guard your home every second of the day to ensure your safety. And it’s just $14.99/month.

And no annual contract required.