There are several home security companies today that are willing to make your home safe. As a matter of fact, you can probably meet one of them right at your front door. They’ll tell you about how everything seems to be unsafe these days and why having a home security system is very important. Although these facts are true, these still  aren’t enough for you to readily sign your name on the dotted line or hand in your credit card. 

To ensure your home’s maximum protection and your money’s worth, here’s a list of questions you should be asking security companies before you make any purchases. The answers to these questions can help you know how they can keep you and your family safe.

1. “How credible is your home security company?”

The most important thing to assess, before dealing with a security company, is its credibility. You have to know how much you can trust its people and services. Other than searching for top home security reviews, you can simply verify by asking them.

You can question them about their certificates and insurances. These documents can help make sure that you’ll be protected in cases of lawsuits and damages. Dealing with unregistered and uninsured companies will actually double your risk of loss.

You should also keep in mind to inquire about their staffs and personnels. There will be times that you’ll have to let them inside your home for installation or repair of your devices. If you know that the company is conducting background checks to verify the identities of its employees, you’ll have less anxiety about letting them in.

2. “What are the terms of your contracts?”

Be very careful when it comes to signing contracts. Most home security companies are not fully open in discussing their contract terms. This means you have to be very keen in reading and studying each document you sign.

Always ask how long will the contract be. If it renews automatically, you should ask for the policy and how you can terminate it in case you no longer want the service. Some companies require clients to file for the termination of their contracts days or weeks before the contract’s actual expiration. You may need to clarify this to avoid getting charged with penalties.

You must also be clear with any extra charges. The company’s sales representative can miss out some important details while discussing the contract. Be sure to be thorough in asking for the fees and verify them against the contract. Never sign a contract until you know every aspect of the deal.

3. “Why do I need to choose your system?”

This question can be very straightforward. However, by being direct in asking, you’ll know what difference you can expect from its security systems. You can have a better idea about the company’s focus by directly asking them what sets them apart from their competitors. You can ask about their monitoring capabilities and how fast they can respond during an alarm. If they have home security camera systems, you can question their data privacy and security.

You can also inquire if they have any added services such as smoke and fire monitoring or if they have backup power sources in case of electricity failure.

Home security can still be a source of income for most of these companies. As such, it‘s very important that you learn how to differentiate a good marketing strategy from a reliable security. Remember, an informed decision is still the best decision.