Are Home Security Systems Worth It? Here Are 9 Long-Term Savings

Most people understand the immediate benefits of a home security system. The obvious answers, such as home protection and peace of mind, are going to be the first things that pop into your mind. But a home security system can do so much more than keep your family and belongings safe. 

However, some people may still find themselves asking: Are home security systems worth it? A quality home security system can offer long-term savings, and often, homeowners aren’t aware of this. We’re breaking down nine ways a home security system can save you money over time.   

Home Security Systems Can Reduce Homeowners Insurance

Did you know that many homeowners insurance policies offer discounts on their premiums when you have a home security system installed? Many homeowners are unaware of this, but according to the Insurance Information Institute, it’s a great way to reduce your premiums depending on the insurance carrier. 

Insurance companies look at the total number of claims made in a given year and whether the homeowners who made those claims had a home security system installed. While a home security system isn't guaranteed to prevent break-ins, those who have one are less likely to file claims versus homeowners who don't. 

You should always talk with your insurance agent before selecting a security system if you're hoping to save money on your premiums. Each carrier may have its own criteria for approving a home security system-related discount. But typically speaking, insurance carriers require that your system be monitored. This means that you have more than an alarm to scare off would-be thieves but also a monitoring service that will call the police or emergency services on your behalf. 

Home Security Systems Can Reduce Renters Insurance

Not all renters have the freedom to install a home security system in their rental home. But if you can, just like homeowners, you can save money on your renters insurance premiums when you have a quality home security system installed. 

You should always check with your insurance agent to confirm that the smoke detectors or security system that you're eyeing are something that is approved by your carrier. Oftentimes, these systems will also need monitoring services for you to be eligible for the discount. 

Increase Your Home’s Resale Value by Installing a Home Security System

Home security systems are, no doubt, a desirable feature that helps market your home, and having one that is professionally monitored, in particular, may help increase the value of your home. 

Some features you’ll want to highlight to make the most on your investment include:

• Whether the system is professionally monitored 

• How it works with other smart devices in your home 

Notable technology features, including night vision, motion detection, and more.

Home Security Systems Help Prevent Burglaries

It might seem unbelievable, but according to a study conducted by the University of North Carolina Charlotte many burglars avoid houses that prominently display they have a home security system installed. Want to know how much of a deterrent a home security system is? 

During the study more than 400 people who were convicted for burglary were interviewed. Eighty-three percent of the participants admitted they would try to determine if a home had an alarm before attempting to enter it. And 60% of those same respondents admitted to avoiding homes that had security systems installed. 

You Could Save Money on Replacing Belongings if You Have a Home Security System

This factor piggybacks off the immediate benefits of a home security system. If you can prevent a break-in, then that also means you don’t have to pay to replace goods lost or destroyed during a burglary.  According to a 2018 study by the FBI, victims of burglary offenses suffered an estimated $3.4 billion in property losses, with an average dollar loss per burglary amounting to $2,799.

And even if you have a homeowners insurance policy, if you don't confirm in advance that the policy provides for the full-value replacement of lost or damaged items, you might be in for a rude awakening. Not to mention, the time it takes to file a police report and submit a claim to your insurer is a headache that no one wants. 

Home Security Systems Can Help You Save Money on Costly Home Repairs

These days, home security systems do more than monitor your entryway. Comprehensive systems like those from ADT also offer professional monitoring for smart sensors, including:

Professionally Monitored Smart Sensors

• Smart thermostats

• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

• Flood detectors

This means that you have the potential to stop a fire before it gets out of control, causing expensive damage throughout your home. And that translates to major savings, as you don't have to worry about the added expense of costly home repairs. 

Did you know that water damage is one of the most frequent claims for homeowners insurance? According to a national FEMA flood loss table, just one inch of water in 2,500 square feet can cause over $23,000 in damage to a home. That’s expensive and financially devastating. 

But a smart home security system with strategically placed monitored flood detectors can warn you of a leak before it gets out of control. And that means that rather than paying as much as $25,000, you could pay for a significantly smaller plumbing repair. So, you'll prevent the headache of major flooding throughout your home. 

Home Security Systems May Help Lower Energy Bills

Heating and cooling a home accounts for nearly half of the average household's energy bill. Specifically, homeowners and renters often find themselves wasting money by warming or cooling their homes unnecessarily. This is because the thermostat is set to a static temperature throughout the day when no one is home, or they don't have access to a zoned HVAC that gives them climate control based on occupancy. 

These days, a good home security system is also smart-enabled. Features like a smart thermostat can help you to adjust the temperature when your home is empty so that you’re not needlessly paying for energy that no one is using. But you should also be able to either create preset automation or manually adjust the temperature through an app like ADT Control before you return home so that you’re not entering a freezing cold house in the winter or a sweltering sweatbox in the summer. 

Help Reduce Wear and Tear on Appliances With a Home Security System

This one might not seem as obvious as some of the other cost-saving benefits of a home security system. But a connected smart home security system can help to reduce the number of light bulbs you replace throughout the year as well as reducing wear and tear on appliances that you might otherwise leave running in standby mode. Since you can automate lights, opting for smart technology that's activated by motion or follows preplanned automation scripts can make light bulbs last longer. 

You Can Help Reduce Associated Medical Costs Due to Emergencies With a Home Security System

It might not seem like a direct connection, but house fires and run-ins with burglars can be dangerous for you in terms of your health. Obviously, in the worst instances, someone can die from a fire or an armed burglar. But you could also be severely injured to the point where you need to go to the hospital. 

And that means in addition to the property damage your home has sustained, you're now saddled with costly medical bills. But a quality home security system that scares away potential burglars or alerts you to smoke or carbon monoxide can save you from the physical, emotional, and financial pain of either of the above scenarios. 

Are Home Security Systems Worth It?

Of course, you need to take your budget into account. Home security systems come in a range of price points and with a variety of features to suit a diverse range of homeowners and business professionals. The option you choose is going to ultimately depend on which of the factors that we highlighted above are the most important to you, your budget, and how comfortable you are with any given technology. 

But, on the whole, a home security system is an investment that continues to prove its worth. Whether that's through lowered energy bills, lowered premiums, or - most importantly - increased peace of mind, there's no good reason to put off having a quality home security system installed in your house or apartment. 

When you’re ready to move forward with improving the safety and security of your home, ADT is a company that has been around for 150 years and makes those two concepts our main priority. Plus, with the ADT Control app, you can manage a wide range of features remotely, such as smart locks and thermostats, to make your home as user-friendly as possible. Let ADT help ensure peace of mind in your home.