No. Long-term contracts are common in the alarm industry, but they are not required to get professional monitoring. It is worth understanding what you are signing before you commit to three or five years.
Why big companies use contracts
National alarm companies often give away equipment or install it at a deep discount, then make the money back through a 36 to 60 month monitoring contract. That can look like a good deal up front. The catch:
- Cancelling early usually means paying most or all of the remaining months.
- Moving does not always get you out of it.
- Auto-renewal clauses can roll you into another term if you miss the cancellation window.
- Locked equipment. Some panels only work with the company that installed them, so switching providers means replacing hardware.
What to check before you sign
- How long is the term, and what happens at the end? Does it auto-renew?
- What does it cost to cancel early?
- Do you own the equipment, or are you leasing it?
- Can the panel be monitored by another company later?
- What is included: police dispatch only, or fire, medical and smoke too?
- Does the price go up after an introductory period?
Self-monitoring vs professional monitoring
Self-monitoring sends alerts to your phone. It is cheap, but if you miss the notification or are on a plane, nobody calls for help.
Professional monitoring has a central station watching 24/7. When an alarm goes off, they try to reach you and dispatch police, fire or medical if needed. This is the option most insurance companies recognize for discounts. Ask your insurer.
How we do it
A to Z Security does not require long-term contracts. We would rather you stay because the service is good. We will tell you up front what the equipment costs, what monitoring costs each month, and that you can leave if it stops working for you.
Want a straight answer on an alarm for your home or business? Call or text us.
General information only, not legal or professional advice. Rules, fees and products change, so check with your city or the manufacturer. See our terms.