Security Systems Basics

Date: 2010.04.04 | Tags: Security Systems

There are many reasons why security systems have become very popular over the years. Most people buy them to protect their loved ones from the threat of a burglary or a fire. Others buy security systems to protect their homes when they are not there themselves to do it. Whatever your reason is for wanting to purchase a security system for your home, it is important for you to know the basics of home security systems and why having one can benefit you.

Some people today will tell you that security systems are a waste of money and you are better off leaving it up to your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance to cover any losses you incur should your home ever be burglarized. You should ask him or her if they have ever become a victim of a home burglary. Chances are they have not.

While it is true that some homeowners or renters insurance policies will cover losses in the event of a burglary, they may not cover all of it. Besides, the paperwork and claims process can be time consuming, to say the least. If you speak to anyone that has ever had to do an insurance claim when their house got broken into, they will tell you that their insurance policy did not cover the majority of their losses.

Most people will not only lose things of monetary value during a break-in, they will also lose precious, invaluable, and irreplaceable items such as family heirlooms, portraits, and more. These things can never be replaced and often hurt more to lose than plasma TV’s or computers. The majority of the people that experience home burglaries are people who did not give home security systems a chance.

Do security systems protect homes 100% from being burglarized? No. Nothing can guarantee that your home will not be the latest victim of a home burglary. However, statistics show that homes with security systems are a lot less likely to be broken-into than homes without one.

When home security companies install home security systems, they offer homeowners yard signs and decals to put up around their home and in their yard. This is not necessarily done for advertising purposes, as most people assume. This is done so that any suspecting burglars know that your home is secured by a home security system. Oftentimes, burglars will bypass a home they see with a yard sign or alarm decals displayed and move on to one that doesn’t have any signs of having a security system.

If a burglar does decide to choose your home as their next burglary target, even though they clearly know you have a security system, they will not stay inside too long with an alarm siren blaring in their ears. More importantly, if the burglars suspect your home is monitored, they are going to want to get in and out as fast as possible because they know the police are on the way.

Having burglars get in and out quickly will definitely help limit your loss and keep them from taking their time inside your home. Security systems, as you can see are great burglary deterrents.

If after reading this scenario, you still are not convinced security systems are worth the money, there is something else. By having a security system installed in your home, you could qualify for up to a 20% discount on your homeowner’s insurance premiums. Home insurers know that homes with security systems are less likely to be burglarized and are offering their customer’s discounts for getting one installed and monitored.

As you clearly see, security systems are far from being a waste of money, and they offer quite a few benefits to those who choose to have one installed in their home.