Do Alarm Systems Lower Home Insurance in Canada?
If you are thinking about installing an alarm system, you have probably asked yourself one simple question: Will this actually lower my home insurance?
The short answer is yes, alarm systems often lower home insurance in Canada.
The longer answer is that it depends on the type of system you install and what your insurer recognizes. Let’s break it down without the insurance-speak.
Insurance Companies Care About Alarm Systems
Insurance companies do not hand out discounts for fun. They do it when risk goes down.
Alarm systems reduce risk by:
- Deterring break-ins before they happen
- Detecting intrusions faster
- Catching fires or water leaks early
From an insurer’s perspective, a protected home is less likely to file expensive claims. Less risk usually means lower premiums. Simple as that.
How Much Can an Alarm System Lower Your Insurance?
There is no single number, but here is what most Canadian homeowners see:
- Basic or DIY alarm systems: 2 to 5 percent
- Professionally monitored alarm systems: 5 to 10 percent or more
- Systems with monitoring plus fire or flood detection: up to 15 percent in some cases
Quick example
If your home insurance costs $2,000 per year, a 10 percent discount saves you $200 annually. That can cover a big portion of your monitoring cost. Not bad for something you were considering anyway.
All Alarm Systems Are Not Equal in the Eyes of Insurers
This is where many people get disappointed.
More likely to qualify for discounts
- Professionally installed systems
- 24/7 monitored alarm systems
- Systems that include fire, smoke, or flood monitoring
Less likely to qualify
- DIY systems that only send alerts to your phone
- Unmonitored alarms
- Cameras without professional monitoring
From an insurance point of view, the logic is simple: If no one is responding, the risk does not drop much.
How to Make Sure You Actually Get the Discount
Installing an alarm does not automatically mean savings. Do these three things:
- Ask your insurer what they recognize
Every company has different rules. - Get documentation
Most insurers want proof that your system is professionally installed or monitored. - Bundle protection
Burglar alarms plus fire or flood detection often improve your chances of a bigger discount.
Skipping this step is how people end up saying, “I have an alarm, and my insurance did not change.”
Is Insurance Discount the Main Reason to Get an Alarm?
No. The discount is a bonus. Lower insurance is nice. Protecting your home, family, and business is better. The real value is:
- Preventing break-ins
- Faster response during emergencies
- Evidence for insurance claims if something does happen
Final Takeaway
So, do alarm systems lower home insurance in Canada?
In most cases, yes. Especially when the system is professionally monitored and includes more than just a siren. If you are already considering an alarm system, it makes sense to choose one that:
- Insurers actually recognize the threat
- Provides real monitoring, not just notifications
- Protects your property beyond theft alone
Alarm Guard Security helps homeowners and businesses set up security systems that do exactly that, while also giving you the documentation insurers usually ask for. A safer property and potential insurance savings is a win on both sides.
Call us for more information about our security services at +1 866-282-3331 today! visit Facebook Profile here.
