Burglar Alarm Advice: Your Questions Answered
We get asked a lot of the same questions by both new and existing customers about how burglar alarms work and what to expect. Here are answers to the most common ones.
How Quickly Can an Intruder Be Detected?
With a well-designed system focused on key vulnerable points in a property, an intruder is picked up almost instantly. If entry happens through a route other than your normal entry point, the alarm activates immediately, with no delay for entering a PIN code.
With an AMCO monitored alarm, the system connects directly to our monitoring centre, where we verify there's an intruder, challenge them through our speaker system, and notify the police and keyholders. This entire process typically takes under a minute.
Where Should I Keep Valuables?
While an AMCO monitored system will scare off intruders, it can't prevent someone smashing a window and grabbing an item within reach. We recommend keeping jewellery, laptops, cash and other valuables away from windows and easily accessible entry points.
How Easy Are Monitored Alarm Systems to Operate?
Unless a customer requests otherwise, we always set up alarm systems to be as simple as possible to arm and disarm. We also don't lock customers out of any part of their own system once payment has been received, a practice some providers use to generate costly engineer call-outs.
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Does a Burglar Alarm Reduce Home Insurance Costs?
In many cases, yes. Some insurers offer reduced premiums for homes with a professionally installed and monitored alarm system, particularly one installed by an NSI or SSAIB-accredited company. AMCO is SSAIB accredited, so it's always worth checking with your insurer what discount may apply.
Do You Have Any Other Home Security Advice?
Yes. The right advice can depend on your type of property, so we recommend speaking to our team directly, alongside general police guidance on securing your home.