How to Change to a Different Alarm Monitoring Company

What do you do if things aren’t going as well with your current alarm monitoring company as you’d hoped? You’ve explored options and possible solutions to make things work, but you’re starting to think it’s time to change to a different alarm monitoring company. You’re in a contract, though. Where do you go from here?

1. Read Your Monitoring Agreement

When you signed the contract with your current company, you made an agreement with them, and you now have a legal obligation to that company. In some cases, you will be bound to the terms of the contract and responsible for paying the monthly rate until the contract expires. However, many companies offer early termination options. To see what options are available for getting out of the contract early, start by reading the entire contract. If you cannot find your copy of the contract, you can get one by reaching out to your monitoring company.

Things to look for:

a. When does the contract expire?

You will likely be on a contract with a set end date or a month-to-month contract. If the contract lists an end date, you will want to find if the contract says the agreement will end after that period or if it will automatically renew unless you give notice of cancellation.

b. How to Give Notice

If applicable, you will want to see what you need to do to give notice. Many companies require at least thirty days’ notice in writing, but yours may require more or less time.

c. Look for Early Termination Fees

When someone terminates a contract early, companies will usually charge an early termination fee to help them recover the resulting costs and losses. Find out what you would need to pay should you terminate your contract early.

2. Weigh Your Options

Now that you’ve reacquainted yourself with your contract, it’s time to weigh your options to determine if you really want to to change to a different alarm monitoring company. Was your primary reason for switching to a different company was to save money? You may find that once you factor in the early termination fee, you might be spending more money than you would save. You may decide it would make more sense financially to finish the last few months of your contract. Then when the time comes, you could change to a different company without paying an early termination fee. Perhaps with the circumstances of your situation, you determine paying the early termination fee is better than finishing the contract.

You will also want to consider the company you are considering switching to.

• What can they offer that your current company can’t?

  Look over their website and get in touch with a member of the sales team to find out about the company. You will also want to look at customer reviews to ensure the company delivers what they say they will.

• Will your current equipment be compatible with their systems, or will you need to purchase a new system?

  Purchasing a new system could make the change expensive, but it could be worth it if your current system is outdated or doesn’t do everything you need it to.

• Will they be the best security company for you?

  Here are some tips on how to find the best home security company.

3. After You’ve Decided

If you ultimately decide to move forward with the change, you will need to contact your current monitoring company and let them know your intentions. Then, work with your new company to get things set up with them.