Even if it is not generally imposed by the various home insurance contracts, the installation of an alarm can be very useful against burglaries. Knowing that a break-in occurs every two minutes in France, an alarm can deter any individual who wishes to enter an apartment or a house without having been invited.
The amount and guarantees of home insurance
All rental accommodation must be insured, it is mandatory. As far as homeowners are concerned, home insurance is not mandatory but highly recommended.
The amount of home insurance is established according to several criteria : the location of the accommodation, its value, its date of construction, its security, the deductibles as well as the status of the inhabitant (owner or tenant). All these criteria allow the insurer to assess the level of risk of the property to be insured. The more the situation is considered risky, the more the amount of insurance will increase.
Axa home insurance online offers essential guarantees that cover the civil liability of the owner as well as the main risks, such as water damage, fire or climatic event. On the other hand, protection against theft and vandalism is optional. It compensates the owner of the accommodation in the event of theft or vandalism and protects against the destruction of property. To guarantee better security and avoid any malicious intrusion, it is possible to equip yourself with an alarm. Conventional systems have a deterrent effect: during an intrusion, the alarm is triggered and emits a noise which will alert the neighbors and shorten the visit of the burglar. This solution is very simple to install and inexpensive. But more complete and effective solutions are proposed.
Solutions to protect your home
When installing a remote monitoring alarm, several options are possible. The first is to hire professionals to monitor the accommodation. This is called remote monitoring insurance. Operators watch over the accommodation at all times, day and night. The installation of this type of system requires the installation of motion detectors, a siren, a central unit and a mobile application. The alarm system is installed in such a way as to deter intruders and, if necessary, request the intervention of the police. If the intrusion is confirmed, a security agent can quickly go to the site. The advantage of this connected system is that the home owner can control it remotely, for example, by activating or deactivating the alarm. Remote monitoring reinforces housing security and thus makes it possible to reduce the amount of home insurance (elimination of the deductible in the event of burglary or lowering of contributions). With the second option, it is the owner himself who monitors his accommodation using a camera, a motion detector and a siren. In case of intrusion, an SMS or an email is sent to allow the owner to consult the images.
When installing an alarm, it is not mandatory to inform your insurance. Nevertheless, an insurer has the right to require the installation of an alarm if the accommodation is considered at risk. This is the case for isolated houses, second homes or even accommodations where valuables are stored (jewellery, works of art or collectibles) or after a repeat burglary. Respecting this obligation to install a security system guarantees coverage against theft in the event of burglary. To do this, once the alarm is installed, all you have to do is send a copy of the purchase invoice to your insurance company.
Home alarm system must be homologated and in working order in the event of a temporary power cut. It is for this reason that it is preferable to use a company that will carry out frequent checks. A certificate of proper operation will be given to the owner and will prove to be of great help in the event of burglary. This document will prove that the system was operational at the time of the intrusion. Installing an alarm system is not enough, the system must work properly. Because, if the system is faulty due to a lack of maintenance or a lack of conformity, the insurance is entitled to refuse to pay part or all of the amount of the compensation provided for in the event of theft. .
Whatever the choice with regard to the security system, it is important to talk about it with your insurance company, which will guide the occupant of the accommodation towards the most suitable choice and may even suggest the intervention of a licensed installer. In this way, the insurance will not be able to dispute the fact that the owner was equipped with an effective system. Attention, after a burglary it is mandatory to inform your insurer.
Read also : What is a home insurance claim?
