Home security systems can protect against break-ins

While record high gold prices are great for investors, they’re cause for concern on the part of homeowners. Gold of any kind is a great incentive for burglars: it’s easy to turn into cash, and once sold it’s melted down, it leaves no evidence of its ownership.

How many houses can you think of that don’t have some gold lying about in jewelry boxes or drawers, items like rings and necklaces, or sentimental, inherited pieces?

Any kind of gold is a huge draw for thieves, especially with the price of gold nearing $2,000 an ounce.

The challenge for homeowners is how to protect themselves from thieves on the prowl, and minimize their losses if thieves gain entrance to their homes?

The best thing, according to the Insurance Information Institute out of New York, is to make sure your home is as unattractive to thieves as possible. If a thief is forced to work in the light, take a lot of time, or make a lot of noise to get inside your home, they’ll choose another that presents less of a challenge. Research shows that if it takes longer than a few minutes to gain entry to your home, the intruder will move on.

In addition to common-sense precautions like motion-detecting lights and well-trimmed landscaping, burglar alarms provide additional challenges for intruders and extra peace of mind for homeowners.

Home alarm systems aren’t that expensive, especially when you take into account the savings in insurance, prevented loss and the costs — tangible and psychological — of having an intruder inside your home.

There are two types of home alarm systems:

  1. Unmonitored systems are those that use on-site sirens and flashing lights to alert anyone nearby that your home is being burglarized. What you save in cost over a monitored system is balanced against having to depend on the alertness of your neighbors to call police if your system goes off.
  2. Monitored systems are those in which you pay a security company to keep watch over your property 24/7, alerting you and police if necessary. The security of knowing authorities will be alerted is good value.

Homeowners should expect to pay $1-$2 a square foot for a monitored alarm system to protect their entire home. The monthly fee for monitoring generally runs about $25 a month, according to Consumer Reports. (http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/index.htm).
Homeowners can lease or buy security systems.

As with other kinds of services, most-notably with cell phone contracts, there can be fees for early termination of agreements.

Higher-end alarm systems work with both audible and silent alarms that are triggered by sensors placed throughout the home, not just on windows and doors. Consumer Reports suggests that these combination systems provide greater protection and fewer false alarms.

In addition to your peace of mind, you can also save money with the proper alarm system. Most insurance companies offer discounts of up to 15 percent for installing approved systems. Insurers also like systems with a fire-detection component.

Some tips:

  • Make sure your home looks occupied all the time with the use of timers for lights.
  • Keep your landscaping trimmed so the view of your home won’t be obstructed.
  • Get several quotes for alarm systems before signing a contract.
  • If you have an alarm system, make sure its central panel is in a secure spot with the wiring hidden if at all possible, so thieves can’t cut the wires to disable the alarm.
  • Before purchasing an alarm system, talk to your local police department to get typical response times to calls and fines for false alarms.
  • If you are purchasing an alarm system, be wary of salespersons who don’t take time to assess your home’s vulnerabilities, or discuss system details, notification procedures and provide information about their call centers.
  • Keep your insurance policies up-to-date.
  • There are generally insurance policy dollar limits on expensive items like antiques, furs and jewelry, if stolen. You might want to consider a personal property endorsement or floater to insure the item for its appraised value.