Theme: Business and Domestic Alarms: What Insurance Companies Require
September 1, 2010Insurance Approved Burglar Alarms
So many burglar alarm companies, but which ones will get you an insurance approved alarm? Alarms companies in Bristol lead the way.
NSI and SSAIB Listing
There are two independent bodies within the UK that audit alarm companies; the NSI and SSAIB. Insurance companies require that your alarm is installed by one of the security system companies certified with these bodies. Make sure that your selected alarm company is registered with one of these organisations to be assured that you’re insured.
Security Alarms for Residential Use
Home insurance firms normally demand that any alarm is maintained under a maintenance contract by an NSI or SSAIB certified supplier. Some insurers then offer a reduction in insurance premiums, after all home owners are more prone to call in their alarm supplier in the event of a fault or problem if they are covered by an alarm maintenance agreement and the insurer recognises this probability in its costs.
Commercial Burglar Alarms
Company managers often find that it is a condition of their insurance cover that they install and service a security system. Occasionally insurance firms insist on a grade 2 or 3 system in accordance with the EN50131 standards and say whether it should include monitoring and/or a police response.
Business insurers might impose a BT Redcare GSM system or Dualcom GPRS system as they employ two ways of sending a signal about a activated alarm. If a telephone line is cut or develops a fault, signals are sent by the GPRS or GSM mobile network, rendering these systems are great when it comes to stopping a burglar in his or her tracks.
Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) Regulations
The Association of Chief Police Officers also stipulate that alarms are fitted by NSI and SSAIB approved firms. Your alarm firm should also be listed with them, certainly if you need a police response as a condition of cover
Security alarm systems, installed to EN50131 and ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) standards, by an alarm company inspected by the NSI or SSAIB are the only ones that get an automatic police response. Bristol alarms are an example of this type of supplier.
Lower Priced Insurance Premiums
In mid 2007 Norwich Union (now Aviva) Risk Services exhorted UK businesses to install alarms fitted by NSI or SSAIB registered companies. According to them, 25% of companies have inappropriate alarms. In addition they advocate fitting a security alarm in residential property too and having it maintained professionally annually. Aviva is one of the major insurance firms that do lower premiums when a suitable alarm system is installed.