Fire & Burglar Alarms 101

Understanding High Value Carrier Requirements for Home Protection Systems

As a homeowner with a high-value property, you've been advised by your insurance professional that installing fire and burglar alarm systems is necessary to meet high-value carrier compliance requirements. Beyond compliance, these systems significantly enhance your home’s protection.

This guide will help you understand common carrier requirements, provide practical guidance on selecting appropriate fire and burglar alarm systems, and outline steps to ensure compliance and possibly qualify for premium discounts.

Let’s get started:

Common Carrier Requirements for Home Protection Systems

Fire Alarm Systems

• Required by all major high-value insurance carriers.
• IMPORTANT: Central monitoring vs. local alarms: Many carriers mandate central monitoring, meaning the system alerts a third-party service, not just the homeowner.
• Smoke detectors should be interconnected and strategically placed throughout the home.

Burglar Alarm Systems

• Some carriers, like AIG and Chubb, require professionally installed burglar alarms.
• Systems must include motion detection, entry sensors, and glass-break sensors.
• IMPORTANT: 24/7 monitoring is required, with alerts sent to a professional security service.

How to Conform to Carrier Requirements

• Assessing Your Current Systems: Use the Carrier-Specific Requirements table to determine whether your system meets installation, monitoring, and equipment requirements.
• Upgrading Your Home Protection Systems: Work with approved security providers to install compliant systems (See Recommended Security Providers Based on Carrier Requirements). Ensure central professional monitoring is in place and not just local alerts to your phone.
• Documentation & Certification: Obtain an alarm certificate from your security provider and keep all monitoring agreements and proof of installation on file.

Carrier Requirements - Fire & Burglar Alarms

Comparing Carrier Requirements for Home Protection Systems

Retail Off the Shelf vs. Legacy Security Firms

• IMPORTANT: Retail, off-the-shelf systems (SimpliSafe, Ring) may be accepted by Cincinnati, BerkleyOne, and PURE only if they are centrally monitored and professionally installed. Please confirm your specific use case.
• AIG and Chubb do NOT accept retail systems, requiring professionally installed legacy fire and burglar alarms from providers like ADT, Brinks or similar.
• Wireless systems are not necessarily DIY. Some assume all wireless systems lack monitoring, but major providers like ADT and Brinks offer wireless, centrally monitored systems.

Fire & Burglar Alarm Provider Analysis

Concact Information:

ADT: https://www.adt.com/cf/bps/home-security/, Phone: 844-949-2952, Credit card is needed to book home assessment.  

Brinks: https://brinkshome.com/, Phone: 866-522-5329, Credit card is needed to book home assessment. 

American Alarm: https://www.americanalarm.com/, Phone: 800-792-5142

Ring: https://ring.com/, Phone: 800-656-1918

SimpliSafe: https://simplisafe.com/, Phone: 888-910-1458

*REMEMBER: Retail, off-the-shelf systems (SimpliSafe, Ring) may be accepted by Cincinnati, BerkleyOne, and PURE only if they are centrally monitored and professionally installed. Please confirm your specific use case. Chubb and AIG do not accept these systems.

Important Guidelines for Equipment:

• Fire/ Smoke Detectors (Required): One component for every 900-1,000 square foot of living space. At a minimum, typically the home should have a monitored unit per floor, and have it strategically located to maximize coverage (including attic and basement).
• Burglar (could be required): Contacts on all doors and windows on the first floor (Motion sensors, if desired)
• Heat Sensors (could be required): Should be in the kitchen, laundry room, mechanical room, garage, attic, crawlspace, equipment room, and storage rooms.
• Low Temperature Sensors (could be required): Should be placed with a minimum of one sensor per level and typically cover 1,000 square feet per sensor. Typically, they can be placed out in the open, and some can be placed under sinks or other areas prone to freeze damage if the heat goes out.

Recommended Security Providers Based on Carrier Requirements

Professionally Installed Systems

• ADT: One of the most widely accepted providers for fire and burglar alarms.
• Brinks: Another high-net-worth-approved provider for monitored alarms.
• American Alarm (MA, NH, RI only): Regional provider with strong insurance carrier acceptance.

Retail Systems (Must Be Centrally Monitored, Professionally Installed)

• SimpliSafe: Accepted by some carriers (Berkley, PURE, Cincinnati) with 24/7 monitoring.
• Ring: Recently accepted by select carriers but must have 24-hour professional monitoring.

SimpliSafe and Ring are two solid home security options. The biggest difference is price, with most Ring products and bundles being slightly more affordable without any add-ons. Both home security companies offer lots of customization options, though SimpliSafe’s base packages are far more robust.

If you’re already an Alexa user or someone with lots of smart devices, Ring may be the most compatible choice. Google users will likely want to go with SimpliSafe.

What We Like About SimpliSafe

• No contracts are required, and the products and services are affordable.
• It offers a lengthy 60-day trial period.

What We Like About Ring

• It seamlessly integrates with a variety of home automation devices.
• The products are highly affordable and come with no contract requirements.
• Ring has several high-quality camera options.

Installation & Monitoring Considerations

• IMPORTANT: Centrally monitored systems are essential. Even retail-accepting carriers require a third-party monitoring service.
• In-person home assessments may be required. If a system doesn’t meet standards (e.g., insufficient sensors, missing zone lists), homeowners must adjust accordingly.
• Wireless systems are often confused with retail systems. Some insurers assume all wireless alarms lack central monitoring, but ADT, Brinks, and other professional providers install wireless systems that meet insurance requirements.

Professional Installation with OnTech

For those considering a DIY-friendly security system like SimpliSafe or Ring, professional installation helps you meet the requirements of high value insurance carriers. OnTech, a nationwide installation service, specializes in setting up these off-the-shelf security solutions.

If you’re insured with Berkley One, Cincinnati Insurance, or PURE, OnTech installation makes your system compliant with their coverage requirements, which mandate that security systems be professionally installed and centrally monitored to qualify for premium discounts or policy eligibility.

Benefits Through Compliance

• Potential premium discounts for homes with compliant alarm systems.
• Better claim outcomes, as insurers are more likely to cover losses when required safety measures are in place.
• Peace of mind, knowing your home is well-protected from fire and theft.

Conclusion

Ensuring compliance with your carrier’s alarm and monitoring requirements protects your home, maintains full insurance coverage, and may reduce costs. Take the time to review your current systems, make upgrades where necessary, and work with PVIG’s advisors to ensure full compliance with insurance requirements.

How to Get Your Alarm Certificate

Ring: https://ring.com/support/articles/zh3ai/How-To-Get-a-Professional-Monitoring-Certificate-for-Your-Insurance-Company