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Is Your Intruder Alarm Covered By An Insurance Company?
Some Insurance companies offer reduced premiums on alarms that they approve, but how will you choose a supplier? Alarms companies in Bristol provide the answer.
National Security Inspectorate (NSI) and SSAIB Certification
In Britain there are two organisations that inspect security alarm companies: the National Security Inspectorate and the SSAIB. Insurance companies insist that commercial and home alarms are installed by one of the intruder alarm companies certified with these bodies. Make sure that your selected alarm company is registered with one of these bodies to ensure you are insured.
Home Intruder Alarms
Residential insurance companies normally require that an alarm is kept in good working order under a service agreement by an NSI or SSAIB certified supplier. Some insurers then offer a discount on insurance premiums, after all house owners are more likely to contact their alarm maintenance provider when faults occur if they are covered by an alarm service contract and the insurer recognises this probability in its charges.
Commercial Burglar Alarms
Company leaders often find that it is a condition of their insurance cover that they install and service a security system. Sometimes insurance firms specify a grade 2 or 3 system in accordance with the European standards and also specify if it should include monitoring and/or a police response.
Company insurers might stipulate a BT Redcare GSM system or Dualcom GPRS system as they involve using two ways of sending a signal about a activated alarm. If a phone line is severed or is faulty, signals are sent via the GPRS or GSM mobile network, which means these systems much more effective in deterring break ins and catching criminals in the unfortunate event of a burglary.
ACPO Regulations
The Association of Chief Police Officers also stipulate that alarms are installed by NSI and SSAIB approved companies. Your alarm firm should also be listed with them, specially if you require a police response as a condition of cover
Security alarm systems, fitted to EN50131 and ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) standards, by an alarm company approved by the NSI or SSAIB are the only ones that benefit from an automatic police response. Bristol alarms provide an example of this type of supplier.
Reduced Insurance Premiums
In summer 2007 Aviva (then Norwich Union) Risk Services exhorted UK businesses to put in alarms fitted by NSI or SSAIB approved companies. According to them, 25% of firms may have inappropriate alarms. In addition they recommend putting in a security alarm at home too and keeping it serviced annually. Aviva is one of the major insurance companies that do reduce premiums when a suitable alarm system is fitted.