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How To Lower Your Home Owner's Insurance Premiums

Until it actually goes off, most people don't appreciate their home security system or burglar alarm. That's the story I got from my next door neighbor at four in the morning a week ago this past Friday. Torn from a deep sleep by the klaxon-like baying of Randy's burglar alarm - Randy's my neighbor - I wandered over to his house about 30 minutes after the police had gone. Although the police arrived too late to make an arrest, it seems the flashing lights and loud siren of Randy's home security system had scared away the burglar and prevented him from entering my neighbor's house.

If what happened to Randy isn't enough to convince you that home security systems can pay for themselves many times over, you might want to consider the fact that insurance companies will substantially discount the cost of insurance premiums for a home outfitted with a security system or burglar alarm. My own insurance company gives me a 20 percent discount on my home owner's policy because I have a security system installed and monitored by a nationally certified company. The savings make a big difference in defraying the cost of my security system.

Home security systems come in a variety of flavors and are able to detect events ranging from forced entry to smoke, fire and even high levels of carbon monoxide. A basic installation includes a keypad, motion detectors and a link to a monitoring center that sends the police or fire brigade in the event of an alarm. Costs for a basic system usually run roughly one hundred dollars for installation and then a monthly monitoring fee that typically costs between thirty and forty dollars.

Finding the best firm to install your home security system doesn't have to be a chore. You'll usually have a number of friends and relatives who already have security systems installed and they'll be happy to make a personal recommendation. If you don't know someone who already has a system, take time to visit the website of the National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association (NBFFA). They'll be happy to supply information about home security systems and recommend companies in your area that install and monitor burglar alarms and home security systems.

Depending on your location, your list of companies will most likely include such nationally known names as ADT and Brink's Home Security, along with many local companies. Try to narrow the list to three to five companies located in your area. Good selection criteria include membership in the NBFAA, as well as participation in the industry's Installation Quality (IQ) Certification Program. The IQ program helps consumers identify alarm companies that are pro-active with respect to quality and false alarm issues.

Once you've narrowed your list, call each company and arrange a meeting with a company representative in your home. Price isn't necessarily the most important issue in selecting the company to install and monitor your security system. Here's a quick checklist with questions to ask and things to do:

How long has the the company been in business? Longer is better!

Will it monitor your home security system's operation twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, fifty-two weeks a year? Make sure they're working 24/7/365!

Does it have a backup generator system so it can protect your home even when the power goes down? A good company will continue to operate, even when the lights go out.

Does the company have an in-house training program and are employees well-trained so they are able to correctly install, monitor and service your system in the event that repairs are necessary? Make sure the answer to this question is yes!

Finally, have the representative survey your home and thoroughly explain your security needs and options. Make sure you get a written list of recommendations and a quote in writing for the cost of the security system and monitoring services.

After meeting with several companies, compare equipment, services and pricing. Then, make the call and have your system installed. And don't forget to save money on premiums by telling your insurance company that you've installed an alarm system.

Chances are you'll never need your home security system, but you'll sleep easier if you have it, just like me and my neighbor Randy.

Matt Paolini is the Managing Editor of Citybook.com, the Internet's leading family-safe yellow pages directory. Locate a home security specialist or state chapter of the NBFAA by consulting Citybook's extensive online yellow pages.

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