Free Alarm System?

Here's What AMSAFE thinks...

The Free Alarm System

Many companies will offer you a "free alarm system" in return for a small installation fee normally around $100, and a long term alarm monitoring contract. These contracts normally vary between 3-5 years and they require good to excellent credit. Yes they do run a credit check!
The monthly monitoring fee normally ranges between $25 to $35 a month.

What to ask when considering this system:

• Find out how long the monitoring contract is: Normally a few years.
• Find out what is included in the system: Generally it is the keypad/control panel, a motion sensor and 2 contacts/door sensors (3 zones total).
• Ask about automatic renewal and what cancellation procedures there are: What will happen if you move or can't afford the monitoring anymore. Get it in writing.
• Find out who owns the system at the end of the agreement: You may find out that at the end of the contract/term that you do not own your system.
• Will the system be proprietary? Will you be able to use the system should it belong to you and have it monitored some where else?
• What maintenance will you be responsible for? What are your responsibilities to keep the system in good working order?
• Get a complete quotation with everything in writing: Where's the best dollar value?

Do the math -- Calculate the monthly monitoring fee over the contract period, add the installation fee and compare Amsafe's for the same period and the cost of Amsafe's basic install. ($399)

There's $32.95 x 36 months. Equaling $1186.20 over 3 years. Plus $99 for install.
Totalling $1285.20 And their monitoring stays at $32.95. And never goes down.

Decide whether that alarm system is truly free and if you own it,
or you should consider better alternatives.