What "central station monitoring" means
When an insurer asks for central station monitoring, they mean an alarm that reports to a staffed monitoring center around the clock. If a door is forced open or a smoke detector goes off, the center gets the signal, calls you, and sends police or the fire department. It works whether you're home, at work, or out of town.
Two kinds of systems usually don't meet that requirement:
- Local alarms that only beep or sound a siren inside the house. Nobody outside the house is told.
- Self-monitored systems that only send alerts to your phone. If you miss the alert, nobody calls for help.
Read the wording in your insurer's letter. If it says "central station," "professionally monitored," or "UL-listed monitoring," that's what Kiwi Alarms provides: a monitored system backed by a UL-listed central monitoring station, active 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Why insurers ask for fire and burglary
Burglary monitoring covers break-ins. Fire monitoring is a separate part, and it's the one people often miss. The smoke alarms that came with your house usually just sound in the house; they don't call anyone. For fire monitoring, smoke and heat detectors are connected to the alarm panel, so the monitoring center hears about a fire even when the house is empty.
Insurers commonly ask for this on:
- Higher-value homes and new policies where the underwriter wants the house protected around the clock
- Renewals after a claim, an inspection, or a change in the insurer's rules
- Second homes and vacation homes that sit empty for weeks, like a Tahoe or Truckee cabin
- Homes with jewelry, art, firearms or collections insured as extra items on the policy
Every insurer writes its own rules, so the letter you got is the best guide. Scott reads it with you and builds the system to match it, so nothing is missing when your agent checks.
What insurers usually want, and how we cover it
| What your insurer asks for | How Kiwi Alarms covers it |
|---|---|
| Central station monitoring, not self-monitoring | 24/7 monitoring through a UL-listed central station |
| Burglary protection | Sensors on entry doors, windows where needed, and motion detectors |
| Fire protection | Monitored smoke detectors, plus heat detectors in kitchens, garages and attics where smoke detectors would false-alarm |
| A signal that still gets out if the phone line is cut | Cellular reporting from the alarm panel |
| Proof for your file | An alarm certificate after installation, and help with your insurer's own form if they have one |
Optional extras that insurers often like: carbon monoxide detectors, and water leak and freeze sensors for burst pipes in a Reno winter.
How it works, step by step
- Send Scott the letter. Text a photo or forward the email, and tell him your insurer's deadline.
- Scott walks the home. He lays out the doors, motion detectors, and smoke and heat detectors your policy needs. The consult is free.
- Installation. Scott installs every system himself. No subcontractors.
- Monitoring is switched on and tested. Test signals for burglary and fire are sent to the monitoring station so you know they arrive.
- You get your alarm certificate. Send it to your insurance agent. If your insurer has its own alarm form, send it to Scott and he'll fill in the alarm company section.
Will it lower my premium too?
Often, yes. Many insurers that require a monitored alarm also give a discount for one, and burglary and fire may count separately. Ask your agent to apply every alarm discount when you send in the certificate. Read more in does home security lower your insurance in Reno.
Frequently Asked Questions
My insurance company says I need central station monitoring. What does that mean? +
It means your alarm has to report to a staffed monitoring center that is open 24/7. When an alarm goes off, the center calls you and sends police or the fire department. An alarm that only sounds inside the house, or one that only sends alerts to your phone, usually does not count.
Does a Ring, SimpliSafe or other self-monitored system count? +
Only if it has a paid professional monitoring plan, and many insurers also want fire monitoring and a certificate from the alarm company. Check the exact wording in your insurer's letter. Scott can tell you whether what you have qualifies or what to add so it does.
What do I send my insurance company? +
An alarm certificate. After your system is installed and the monitoring station has received your test signals, Kiwi Alarms gives you a certificate to send to your agent. If your insurer has its own alarm form, send it to Scott and he will fill in the alarm company section.
Do my existing smoke alarms count as fire monitoring? +
Usually not. Most household smoke alarms only sound inside the home. Fire monitoring uses smoke and heat detectors connected to the alarm panel, so the monitoring center is told about a fire even when nobody is home. Keep your existing smoke alarms in place as well.
I already have an old alarm system. Can it be monitored? +
Often, yes. Many existing wired systems can be connected to monitoring instead of being replaced. Scott checks your equipment during a free consultation and tells you what can stay.
How quickly can it be set up? +
Tell Scott your insurer's deadline when you call or text. Installation is usually a single visit, and your alarm certificate follows once the monitoring station has received your test signals.
Will a monitored alarm lower my homeowners insurance? +
Often, yes. Many insurers give a discount for monitored burglary and fire protection, and the two may count separately. Ask your agent to apply every alarm discount when you send in your certificate.