Self-monitoring
You receive push alerts and decide whether to call 911 — no monthly monitoring fee.
- Works well with cameras and smart locks
- You must respond to alerts
- Some insurers still want pro monitoring
Professional monitoring
A central station verifies alarms and can dispatch police or fire — expect $20–$45/month.
- Cellular backup if Wi-Fi fails
- False alarm fines vary by city
- Read contract length and cancellation terms
What to compare
Look at response time, mobile app quality, and whether video verification is included.
- Bundled home/auto insurance discounts
- Test your system monthly
- Update emergency contacts yearly
How dispatch actually happens
Many stations call the phone list first, then police. Video verification can shorten that. If you ignore calls, you either get a dispatch you did not want or no dispatch when you needed one. Put a reachable number first, not a landline you retired.
- Ask whether video clips are reviewed before police are called
- List a neighbor who has a key as a call-ahead contact
- Know your city’s false-alarm fee schedule
Contracts and cancellation
The painful part is rarely the $25 month. It is the remaining term, equipment recovery, and whether the panel is proprietary. Photograph the contract’s cancellation clause the day you sign.
- Month-to-month vs 36-month — price the exit, not just the intro rate
- Ask who owns the panel and whether it works unmonitored
- Test the system after any Wi-Fi or router change