Home security systems: What to know before you buy | PEMCO

Interested in a Home Security System? Here's What You Need to Know.

Shopping for a home security system can feel overwhelming fast. There are dozens of options, a range of price points, and a lot of marketing noise about what you actually need.

Here's a straightforward guide to how home security systems work, what the monitoring options mean, and whether the system you choose could help lower your home insurance premium. We'll also cover a few easy ways to make your home a harder target and a checklist to run through before your next vacation.

Monitored vs. Unmonitored Home Security Systems: What's the Difference?

An unmonitored system alerts you directly. A loud alarm sounds, a notification lands on your phone, and you decide what to do next.

A monitored system goes a step further. When your alarm trips, a dispatch center gets notified and can contact emergency services on your behalf, even if you're asleep or away from your phone. That's the difference between an alarm that alerts you and one that gets help on the way whether you're available or not.

For insurance purposes, that distinction matters. PEMCO's Protection Device Discount recognizes three levels of burglar alarm protection:

• Local alarm only: A basic system that alerts you on-site or through your phone.
• Self-monitored: A system you track through an app, with alerts routed directly to you.
• Centrally monitored: A professionally monitored system connected to a dispatch center.

The more robust your monitoring, the more you may save on your policy.

Do Home Security Systems Qualify for a Homeowners Insurance Discount?

It depends on how your system is set up, not the brand. Whether you have a professionally installed system or a smart home setup like Ring or Google Nest, what matters is whether it includes a local alarm, self-monitoring through an app, or professional central monitoring.

For example, a video doorbell or camera that only records footage without an alert or monitoring component likely won't qualify on its own.

If you're not sure what level of monitoring you have, check with your provider and then talk to a local PEMCO agent . They can review your current setup and tell you exactly what you qualify for.

Simple Ways to Deter Burglars

Most burglaries are crimes of opportunity. A visible alarm system changes the calculation for someone looking for an easy target. Research from the University of North Carolina found that 83% of burglars check for signs of an alarm before attempting a break-in. And about 30% of break-ins happen through an unlocked door or window, so a few basic habits make a real difference.

• Place your alarm panel or security camera somewhere visible from the street.
• Lock your doors and windows every time, even when you're home.
• Set smart plugs or timers to keep lights on when you're away.
• Get to know your neighbors. A connected street is a safer one.
• Wait until you're back home to post vacation photos.

Find Out What You Already Qualify For

If you already have a security system, you may have more working in your favor than you think. A local PEMCO agent can review your current setup and help you understand what you might already qualify for. No upgrade required.

Already a PEMCO customer? Sign in to your account or call 1-800-GO-PEMCO to review your current discounts.