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Subscribing to a security company’s services can be quite costly. At first, you may benefit from a couple of months of free service, but when this honeymoon period ends, you will have to pay for your monthly contract fee, as well as call-out fees and other costs.
In a bid to save money next year, you may be considering alternatives.
With the increasing use of technology, artificial intelligence and the “internet of things” (IoT), there are scores of new security systems in circulation, or coming our way, that could help you save money.
IoT, put simply, is the network of physical devices (vehicles, home appliances and other items embedded with electronics) that can talk to each other.
Their ability to connect and exchange data with our cellphones and tablets makes them a security option.
Reshaad Sha is the CEO of SqwidNet, which is a wholesale provider of IoT security systems. He points out that security companies specialise in responding to your call for help, which technology doesn’t offer yet.
“Response can’t be replaced that easily. But having said that, you could have an IoT-enabled intrusion detection system that can send alerts to your neighbourhood watch, community, neighbours or to you, the homeowner.”
The simplest form of IoT can detect an event and send a message to the device of your choice, such as your tablet or smartphone.
This is not dissimilar from your security company getting an alert when your alarm goes off.
Security specialist Yale says more homeowners are demanding remote access and control in this way. It launched a range of home view cameras earlier this year that enable you to keep an eye on your home remotely via a smartphone or tablet.
Yale says the cameras are simple to set up, ready to use in minutes and have an optional motion detection feature that can alert you to movement.
They come with a two-way audio feature.
IoT devices can also provide some protection as you can install panic buttons or infrared sensors.
“The panic button can also send out messages to people in close proximity. It’s adding a level of defence,” explains Sha.
The costs of such devices can vary, but they range from R120 to a few thousand rand, depending on the type of functionality needed.
“The connectivity cost would be between R7 and R120 a year. It’s cheap because it uses small amounts of data.”
Sha says the increasing popularity of such devices is driven by a number of things, including the fact that Africa has become increasingly connected.
“In Africa, the availability of such devices has been a bit slower than we would like, but that is increasing and it’s driven by people importing them and people building them locally.
"Within the next six to nine months, you’ll be able to buy it all off the shelf and be connected.”
WHY YOUR INSURER COULD PENALISE YOU FOR CANCELLING YOUR SECURITY CONTRACT
Before your ditch your security company in favour of IoT devices or any other form of security, make sure your insurance company will not penalise you.
It’s particularly important to be open and transparent about your intentions.
John Tyson, senior manager of underwriting at Alexander Forbes, says: “Many insurers rate your risk according to the security features you have advised them of.
"If you remove any of the features without telling them, you will likely be prejudicing your theft cover.”
Hugo van der Merwe, national manager: assessing at MUA Insurance Acceptances, agrees, but adds that insurance companies do sometimes recognise other forms of security.
“When you stay in an area with a low-risk rating, insurance companies might reduce the security requirement to burglar bars in front of all opening windows and security gates in front of all external gates and sliding doors.
“Insurance companies will seldom accept only electric fencing, so this might be an option when you are staying in a security complex that is fenced in with electrified fencing and guarded by security personnel on a 24-hour basis,” says Van der Merwe.
With home invasions and burglaries on the increase, South Africans can ill afford to ditch their security company, as it seems that insurance companies still
have a way to go in accepting IoT and security alternatives.
Even if you haven’t had a break-in at your home, ditching the security company may still cost you.
“You are not rated on your personal history only, but also according to the risk allocated to your specific area,” Van der Merwe says.
