Is an Unmonitored Alarm Enough?

This is a very common question, and for good reason. Does an unmonitored alarm actually offer protection, or does the alarm system have to be monitored in order to be beneficial? Well, there is no clear cut answer, but some guidance can be offered.

Obviously, a monitored alarm provides more security than an unmonitored alarms. Since the police will be notified even if you're not home if you have a monitored alarm. An unmonitored alarm will only make a loud noise if a break-in occurs. Nothing more, nothing less.

Unmonitored alarms do offer some protection, though, but only due to certain assumptions. A burglar will assume that if an alarm goes off, then police are on the way. This is because in most cases, the alarm is monitored, and police will be notified if a secret code is not provided to either the security keypad or an agent who calls the residence. As a result, an unmonitored alarm can act as a deterrent, scaring away potential burglars and even burglars who attempt to break in. But there is one inherent flaw; if everybody chose to exploit this assumption and choose an unmonitored alarm, the assumption that an alarm is monitored could fade until burglars assume that alarms are not monitored, which could create trouble for anybody with an alarm whether it is monitored or not. However, as long as the majority of alarm systems are monitored, an unmonitored alarm can act as a very potent deterrent.

Thanks to this deterrent effect, even a sign in the front yard declaring that you have a security system creates a deterrent, but does a deterrent, even a powerful one, good enough to make you feel secure? That is a personal decision. An unmonitored alarm will save you money, assuming that it works as the deterrent it is meant to be, but it is obviously less secure than a monitored alarm. If you are willing to spend the extra money for the extra security, then there is certainly no harm in it.

As a result, a homeowner must simply choose what they really want. An up front, one time cost for a powerful deterrent, or the same up front cost plus a monthly fee for true protection. The first stops a theft most of the time, and some will gladly save their money to significantly reduce the risk of of theft, but the latter provides actual police protection, but at a higher cost. What do you want? No one else can tell you.

If you still don't know what you want and would like some more information, try doing some more research on home security so that you can understand your options.