• One of the advantages of living in Miami is the large diversity of options available when it comes to choosing a security system provider. The list is endless of alarm companies offering to provide professional security systems in Miami. With so many choices how do you know who is truly qualified to protect your property and more importantly your loved ones? With an endless list of alarm companies to choose from comes the question of how to know which is the right company for you. The answer to this question can be more easily achieved by looking at several components that any qualified alarm company should have implemented. The following items are essential in determining how to choose the right alarm company.

    State Certified Alarm Contractor
    The absolute number one thing to look for when finding an alarm company is whether they are a state certified contractor or not. This question is vital because it is the only way to determine if the alarm company you are choosing is truly qualified to install a security system in your home or not. Most alarm companies you may be considering will be able to produce a contractors license number but the question remains as to who exactly is listed on that state license. Many alarm companies are not qualified themselves to sell and install security systems because the owner of the company is simply not licensed by the state as an alarm contractor. To go around this many alarm companies find an electrician who is state licensed and hires them as the qualifier or license holder of the company. Although this does make these companies legal to perform the work of installing your security system it certainly does not ensure that they are competent to do so. When choosing an alarm company make sure you do research to find out exactly who is licensed by the state do perform work in your home.

    U.L. Listed Central Station
    Another important thing to consider when choosing an alarm company is whether they use a U.L. listed central station or not. Underwriters Laboratory is the organization that regulates central monitoring stations. This is important because being connected to a U.L. listed central station will make the difference between you getting a call back within a minute or getting a call back within 10 minutes. Underwriters Laboratory determines how many employees to subscriber ratios are necessary for proper alarm monitoring response. They also make sure that the central station has enough redundant phone lines and alarm monitoring receivers to ensure proper alarm response. Back up power generators are also regulated by U.L. standards to make sure you are still monitored in the event of a power loss. If you are connected to a central monitoring station that is currently not U.L. certified then there is a possibility that the response time you will receive in the event of a real alarm condition will be inadequate.

    Back Ground Checked
    Another thing that is vital when choosing an alarm company is whether or not the employees are back ground checked. Do not assume anything when it comes to this requirement. We often times contract people to perform work in our homes without first assuring that the people we are allowing into our homes are back ground checked. Many times we hear that a neighbor or someone we know had some work done in their home and shorty after had a break in quite possibly be the same people they actually let into their homes to perform the work. This happens when we allow people into our homes without first making sure they have no criminal background. When choosing an alarm company make sure you see proper credentials from each person entering your home. Every employee should at the minimum posses a BASA certification. A BASA certification assures that the person entering your home has been back ground checked, has not been convicted of a crime related to the industry and is drug free. BASA certification also requires a 14 hour course to be completed. Simply asking to see this certification from the alarm company you are considering is enough to know if they are a serious company or not. Do not even consider using any alarm company that cannot produce these certifications for their employees.

    Liability and Workers Comp Insurance
    Every alarm contractor in the state of Florida should possess at the minimum a 1 million dollar liability insurance coverage policy. This is critical in the event something is damaged in your home or business during the security system installation. Many times the installer will complete a job to then find out a week later that he accidentally drilled a water pipe in the attic that has now caused extensive damage. In an event like this the alarm company contacts their insurance company to cover the claim. Although your alarm company is not responsible in the event a break in occurs in your home they are however responsible for making sure the security system was properly installed. Making sure the alarm company you are considering has adequate liability insurance gives you assurance that if for any reason something was not done properly you are still covered. Workers Comp insurance is also a must for any alarm company performing work in the state of Florida. If an installer gets hurt while performing an installation in your home you will not be held responsible if he has the proper coverage.

    These are the major things to look for when considering any alarm company. There are other things to consider like getting customer testimonials or references. You will also want to know how many years experience the alarm company you are considering has in the industry. Check the internet for customer reviews as well. This will give you an accurate and updated feel for how the company does business. If you live in the Miami Florida area and are considering getting an alarm quote then give us a call today to see how we can serve you with excellent service. Call us today at (786)325-7867 or visit us at www.miamifloridahomesecurity.com and put your information into the contact form.


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