Best Home Security System for 2014

Home security is often not addressed until an intrusion has already occurred. According to the FBI, more than 2 million burglaries were reported in 2012. However, homes with alarm systems have shown to be 300% less likely to be broken into. It’s evident that the majority of us are not doing everything we can to proactively mitigate these risks.

Top home security systems have a proven track record in protecting homes and their valuable contents. Read on to begin exploring which best home security system is the right fit for you and your family.

The Simple Dollar’s Top Picks

Here are the five best home security systems:

1. Frontpoint® Home Security


2. LifeShield® Home Security


3. LiveWatch Security®


4. ADT® & ADT Pulse®


5. Vivint® Home Security

Frontpoint®

Frontpoint® is regularly ranked as the #1 home security system. They boast 100% wireless and cellular technology as well as top-rated GE security equipment, and simple DIY installation instructions.

Frontpoint® is one of the few home-security monitoring providers that goes beyond fire, flood, and carbon-monoxide detection by also including a service that can detect if there’s a break in your natural gas line. They also have the ability to connect up to 39 sensors and your mobile device at once, bringing the safety and security of your home right into the palm of your hand.

Frontpoint® continuously falls at the top of the list in all categories when it comes to monitoring, security devices, alerts, and customer service. The key here is that you don’t have to worry about their system falling short in any realm of your home’s security. Their Crash & Smash protection even allows your control panel to send alert signals in the event a burglar attempts to destroy it.

Frontpoint® has a working relationship with Alarm.com that allows them to have a variety of additional features, including Geo-Services. Geo-Services offers peace of mind for many of the imaginable mishaps or potentially intrusive feelings. You can set your system to automatically notify you if you leave a certain perimeter around your home and have not yet activated your alarm system. You also can pause the recording of specific cameras when the user is within the geo-fence. For example, when you get home from work, the security cameras within your home can pause their recording while your outdoor cameras remain on and continue to capture the scene.

You can try out Frontpoint® to ensure it’s a good fit for you and your family with their 30-day free trial. Start protecting your home and your belongings. Call (800)364-0823 for a free quote today.

LifeShield®

LifeShield® has one the fastest response times in the industry. They’ve partnered with DirecTV and are therefore connected to a monitoring station with broadband Internet connection. They offer DIY or professional installation depending on your needs, availability, or ability.

LifeShield® goes beyond other home security systems by providing additional layers of backup in the event that your power goes out or home phone line is disabled:

• Broadband Internet: In the event of an emergency, LifeShield connects to the monitoring center in seconds by using your broadband Internet connection.


• Cellular Network: You’re able to utilize a built-in cellular connection as an additional layer of protection.


• Land Line Phone: LifeShield also offers connection through a landline in the event that your Internet and/or cellular connection goes down.


• Battery Backup: Rest assured you’ll be alerted when your battery is low. Beyond that, the long-lasting battery will keep your alarm system online for up to 24 hours after the power goes out.

LifeShield® offers another unique feature that provides alerts of local crime data so you can make a more informed decision of the level of home security coverage you feel most comfortable with.

LiveWatch®

LiveWatch® was created in 2002 with the goal of making home security easy and affordable without sacrificing quality. They provide truly customizable home security and are able to keep their costs low by DIY installation and avoiding extra, unnecessary hardware.

If you’re worried about the DIY installation, don’t be. A LiveWatch® customer service technician will remain on the phone and talk you through the process. After the installation is complete, they will run live tests on the system to ensure it is working correctly.

LiveWatch® also has an excellent customer-service record and openly broadcasts that the majority of their business comes from customer referrals. After the first 12 months, your contract moves to a month-to-month agreement with no termination fee if you decide to move away from monitoring services. If you cancel within the first 12 months, you are eligible for a refund on any purchased equipment.

ADT® & ADT Pulse®

ADT® has been in existence for over 140 years, serves over 7 million customers, and has the most monitoring service centers in the industry. While length and existence don’t guarantee great service in today’s world, a known name can never hurt in deterring potential intruders.

Aside from their security devices and monitoring services, ADT® provides guarantees to ensure you feel confident about your security investment, including:

• Theft Protection Guarantee: ADT® will pay up to $ 500 of your security deductible if your home is robbed while your security system is armed.


• Mover’s Security Guarantee: ADT® customers are entitled to a free security system in their new home.


• Money-Back Service Guarantee: If you are not satisfied within six months, ADT® offers a refund on the installation price and monitoring fees.


• Homeowner’s Insurance Certificate: With this certificate, you can save up to 20% on your homeowner’s insurance.

In 2010 ADT® launched ADT Pulse® – an upgraded service including home automation with Z-Wave™ technology. It has opened ADT® up to compete with the quickly emerging high tech security systems in accompaniment with it’s household name.

Vivint®

Vivint® is consistently one of the top-rated security providers. With their monitoring services, you get 24/7 coverage 365 days a year along with unique non-emergency alerts, severe weather alerts, and a key fob that allows you to turn your alarm system on or off or call the authorities directly from the device without ever having to enter your home.

Vivint® provides their own internal monitoring, so they’re able to work directly with you. This is a plus because you don’t have to worry about outsourcing of monitoring services and going through a middleman for any issues.

Vivint® also excels at home automation with a forward-thinking mindset. They provide two additional plans to help conserve energy and save you money. The Smart Energy plan is an integrated system that gives you control over your appliances, lights, and thermostat from anywhere. They have gone above and beyond to create savings with your home by establishing the Vivant Solar solution, which streamlines the generation, transmission, and distribution of energy processes by using solar panels installed on your rooftop to supply power to your home.

What’s Important in a Home Security System?

My methodology in determining the best home security system was based on four major components, ranked as follows:

1. Monitoring Services


2. Security Devices


3. Customer Service


4. Affordability

Monitoring services fell at the top of the list, as constant and effective monitoring is key to the protection of your home. Security devices allow you to safely and accurately monitor. Without appropriate customer service, the required action and assistance would fall short of your needs. Affordability, while it does not always limit the available services, is important when making your decision on the comprehensiveness of your home security monitoring.

As you can imagine, home automation often comes with a heftier price tag. However, with this feature, you’re often able to control your thermostat, appliances, and outlets which increases the potential savings that could easily exceed any expenses. Look into what home automation features are available with your home security system to take advantage of these opportunities.

All of the selected Simple Dollar’s Top Picks including the following services in various packages:

• 24-hour monitoring


• Wireless Internet or cellular system


• Internet/cellular monitoring


• Battery backup for power failure


• Online account access


• Door, window, garage door, glass break, and motion sensors


• Panic button


• Flood, carbon monoxide, and fire detection


• Security camera(s)


• Customer support available via email and phone


• Online tutorials


• Alarm history reports

Below you will find a comparison of other components that were not universal within the list:

Feature	Frontpoint®	LifeShield®	LiveWatch®	ADT®	Vivint®
Alert Response Time	30 Seconds	1 Second	18 Seconds	45 Seconds	9 Seconds
Security Equipment Manufacturer	GE	LifeShield®	Varies	Honeywell	Varies
Basic Monthly Monitoring Fee	$ 34.99	$ 29.99	$ 19.99	$ 36.99	$ 53.99
Contract Length	1 Year	3 Years	1 Year	3 Years	5 Years

Wired vs. Wireless Security Systems

Wired home-security systems are starting to be a thing of the past. While ADT® and some less tech-savvy systems still have wired options, they leave your home vulnerable to power outages or disabled phone lines.

They also require actual wiring in your home, which can often be a deterrent. I have a hard time putting a nail in my wall let alone a gaping hole. Wired systems can also be more difficult to take with you when you move and require reinstallation at the new location. ADT® actually leaves the system behind and gives you a credit for your new system if you’re still within the timeframe of your contract agreement.

Wireless Internet and cellular security systems are not only the direction of the future for any tech industry, but they also remove the vulnerability of your phone line being disabled. They use a battery for power and are able to keep coverage long after the power goes out.

Wireless Internet systems use wireless alarm sensors similar to radio waves to communicate with the control panel. The wireless frequency is typically proprietary and therefore will not interfere with other wireless equipment in your home or other wireless systems.

Cellular systems use a cellular device that is installed in the control panel and uses cellular towers to transmit the signal, similar to sending a text message. It’s the newest form of home security alarm-signal technology and is revered as the most reliable monitoring on the market.

With the exception of ADT®, which does provide a wireless option with ADT Pulse®, wireless systems comes standard with the other four top picks.

Home Security Camera Systems

In the past, home security cameras were all based on closed-circuit television technology, which required cabled connections in your home. With the ever-improvement of technology, most home security cameras are now wireless digital cameras that are easy and inexpensive to install, require no video cables, and have cloud-based storage.

With the combination of Internet and your home security camera, you have the ability to view live feed from anywhere including, in many instances, right on your smartphone. Frontpoint® is one of the best home-security camera providers with options for fixed, pan-and-tilt, and/or outdoor wireless cameras.

DIY Home Security Systems

DIY home-security systems are great. Though they may at times be less effective than those that are professionally installed, it is important to keep in mind that there are two different versions of DIY: one where you purchase the devices and services from a home security provider like Frontpoint® and LifeShield® and one where you purchase your own tools and do not pay for any type of monitoring services.

While deterrence from individually provided and installed solutions like motion detector lights, more secure locks, and home security cameras can be effective, it is critically important that you have a direct line to the authorities in the unfortunate event that you need them. For this, a monitoring service from an established home-security system provider is a must.

Home Safety Tips

There are simple measures you should take regardless of whether or not you own one of the best home-security systems. Preventative steps are necessary to minimize the chances of your home being targeted by burglars.

1. Keep your doors and windows locked — even when you’re at home.


2. Get deadbolt locks installed on your doors.


3. Don’t leave valuables in plain sight.


4. Keep your phone ringer volume on low.


5. Don’t post travel plans on social media sites.


6. Do alert your neighbors when you’ll be out of town so they can keep an eye on your home.


7. Lock up important documents.


8. Have a dog (not recommended if only for security purposes).


9. Put away your ladder when you’re done using it.


10. Don’t leave a key outside your home.


11. Do make it appear you are home even when you’re not by leaving a light, TV, or radio on.


12. Clear large bushes or items a burglar could hide behind away from your entryways.


13. Frost your garage windows so potential burglars don’t have clear sight of your car (or its absence).


14. Install motion detector lights outside your home.

Beyond the Obvious Benefits of Home Security Systems

Whether it’s from a burglar, fire, flood, or various other things that can be monitored by your security system, it’s clear that the main goal of a home security or alarm system is to protect your home. However, there are also many other benefits.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, some companies decrease your insurance premium by up to 20% if you install a comprehensive home-security system. Before investing, talk to your insurance provider to get a better idea of the savings vs. the cost depending on the plan you go with.

It also turns out that when you install a home security system, you are not only protecting yourself but also your neighbors. “Neighborhoods in which burglar alarms were densely installed have fewer incidents of residential burglaries than the neighborhoods with fewer burglar alarms,” a study by Rutgers University reported.

What You Should Be Asking Your Home Security Provider

Before you buy any home security devices or sign any contracts, there are many non-advertised answers you should have in regards to your provider and the services you’ll be paying for.

Many home security providers have various methods of response. Some send contracted security professionals to assess the situation prior to contacting the authorities. Every company has a different response time, and some provide additional resources like long-lasting batteries and additional monitoring service centers.

Below you will find a list of questions you can ask beyond what is readily available on all websites:

1. What is the typical response time when the alarm is set off?


2. What is the typical response?


3. If I cannot reach the established emergency contacts (if that’s part of the process), will you reach out to the authorities immediately?


4. When can I expect someone to be at my home after the alarm has been set off?


5. How many monitoring centers service the provider?


6. In the event of a power loss, how long should my battery last?


7. Will I be provided a sign to advertise that I am using security services?


8. Am I able to take the security system with me when I move?

Home Security Summary

Home security is a topic that should not be ignored. A quantitative analysis of the impact of home alarm systems was conducted by Rutgers University and showed that home security systems are effective in deterring and protecting one’s residency from unwanted entry. The study found that burglaries are not concentrated to specific age composition, economic, or metropolitan areas. Burglary affects the masses on a regular basis.

I recently attended a neighborhood watch meeting at the local library near my home. I was blown away by the number of incidents in what I believed to be a safe neighborhood, but the passion and creativity the community had to ensure the safety of their homes and, more importantly, their families was comforting. Very few, however, mentioned home security systems.

Home security systems are proven to be the most effective solution to protect your home, your valuables, and your family. Make sure you maintain your confidence and peace of mind that your home is safe by installing a system sooner than later.

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Best Home Warranty Company for 2014

If you’re considering a home warranty to help protect you from costly home repairs, there are several companies that want your business. Unlike the big insurance companies that provide home, life, and auto policies, home warranty companies aren’t household names. For that reason, you may feel like you’re starting from square one in your search.

The good news: I’ve done a lot of the legwork for you. After analyzing several of the top home warranty companies, three stand out as the best:

• American Home Shield


• TotalProtect


• Complete Appliance Protection

I looked at several factors to narrow down my recommendations. In a moment, I’ll detail my criteria on how I selected the best home warranty companies. Later on, I’ll discuss the basics of home warranties, what they cover, and whether they’re the right choice for you.

The 3 Best Home Warranty Companies

#1: American Home Shield

The largest home warranty company in the nation, American Home Shield allows homeowners to select from three plans or customize their coverage by choosing exactly what they want covered. Their build-your-own plan was the only one of its kind in my search. Customers can also raise or lower their service fee, which helps them control the cost of their plan. Of the companies I investigated, American Home Shield also made it easiest to get a quote — I only had to input my email and street address. The company gets solid reviews overall, including an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Upsides:

• Four plans to choose from, including a build-your-own option


• Customizable service fee


• Quick and easy to receive quotes


• Claims center open 24/7


• No exclusions on older homes, appliances


• Solid reviews across the web

Downside:

• Sample contract can be easily overlooked before purchase

#2: TotalProtect

It was also easy to get a quote and compare plans from TotalProtect, which offers three plans and a customizable deductible. Customers can add a wide range of additional items to base plans, but the company doesn’t offer an option to create a plan from scratch. Of all the companies I surveyed, TotalProtect made it the easiest to access contracts by clearly linking to them at the bottom of each plan’s description. Though it seems like a small detail, it’s a level of transparency I appreciated given many customers’ confusion over what home warranties actually cover.

Upsides:

• Three customizable plans to choose from


• Customizable service fee


• Easy to find and view contract


• Quick and easy to receive quotes


• Claims center open 24/7


• No exclusions on older homes and appliances


• Solid reviews across the web

Downside:

• No build-your-own plans

#3: Complete Appliance Protection

In a rare move among home warranty companies, Complete Appliance Protection doesn’t charge any service fees or deductibles for repairs. That means you won’t be shelling out more money on top of the price of the plans. It also doesn’t exclude items from coverage due to a lack of maintenance, which is common among other home warranty providers. Customers can choose from four coverage levels and add on items as needed. A couple of drawbacks that kept Complete Appliance Protection from a higher spot on my list: The website is rather clunky, and the company provides service in only 35 states.

Upsides:

• No service fee or deductible


• No “lack of maintenance” exclusions


• Four customizable plans to choose from


• Claims center open 24/7


• Solid reviews across the web

Downsides:

• Clunky website


• Company services only 35 states

How I Evaluated Home Warranty Companies

Home warranty companies can be tricky to evaluate online. Reviews tend to trend suspiciously positive or frighteningly negative. For that reason, while I considered online reviews while making my picks, I gave them less weight than other factors. Here are all the criteria I considered when looking for the best home warranty:

• Number of coverage options: It’s standard for home warranty companies to offer two coverage levels: a basic plan that covers appliances, and an enhanced plan that covers systems such as heating and plumbing. If a company offers a third hybrid plan, I considered that a plus. A customizable plan that allows you to pick the appliances or systems you want covered was an even bigger perk. Finally, the best companies offered a number of specialized add-ons for features such as pools, wells, and septic systems.


• Customizable service fees or deductibles: Some companies allow you to customize the amount you pay when you request service. This also helps you control the cost of your plan — if you choose a higher service fee, your plan costs less overall.


• Around-the-clock claims departments: If your furnace goes cold at 2 a.m. on a frigid Saturday in January, you probably won’t want to wait until 9 a.m. on Monday to report it. The longer you have to wait to report a problem, the longer you’ll wait for a resolution.


• No exclusions on older homes and appliances: Buying an older home may be your primary motivator in purchasing a home warranty. The best home warranty companies don’t shun your business simply because there’s a greater chance you’ll make a claim.


• Ability to easily receive a quote and purchase plan online: The best home warranty companies make receiving a quote very easy. During my evaluations, it had to be clear where I needed to start the quote process. And given that home warranties don’t vary much from person to person, the less personal information I had to enter, the better.


• Solid reviews relative to the competition: Again, reviews are hard to evaluate for home warranty companies, so I based my evaluation on how they fared relative to competitors on particular sites such as Consumer Affairs, Home Warranty Reviews, and Yelp. A good rating with the Better Business Bureau was a bonus. Remember, the vast majority of negative reviews stem from customers who misunderstand their home warranty contract. Which leads me to my next consideration…


• Sample contracts that are easy to find and view: Before you purchase a home warranty, it’s essential to read the fine print. That means reading the entire contract before you fork over your money. Otherwise, you risk joining the legions of frustrated customers who thought they were getting something other than what their contract specified.

After considering all of these criteria, the three providers I referenced above rose to the top during my search for the best home warranty company: American Home Shield, TotalProtect, and Complete Appliance Protection.

Not sure what a home warranty does, or whether it’s right for you? I’ll tackle the basics below.

Home Warranties 101

Don’t confuse home warranties with home insurance, which protects your home and its contents from natural disasters, fire, and other major calamities. Mortgage lenders usually require you to purchase home insurance. Home warranties help guard against big bills when things including appliances and plumbing unexpectedly fail. They are generally not a lender requirement. Read on to discover the particulars of home warranty coverage, costs, pros, and cons.

What does a home warranty cover?

Home warranty coverage will vary according to the type of plan you choose and whether your home is a new build or dozens of years old. For new homes, a home warranty from your builder typically covers any big structural defects for as long as a decade. Heating and air-conditioning, drywall, paint, appliances, plumbing, and electrical work may be covered anywhere from six months to two years.

For existing homes, warranties typically fall into a few categories:

• Appliance-based plans: These typically cover appliances including your range, oven, built-in microwave, dishwasher, washers, and dryers. Refrigerators may or may not be covered.


• Systems-based plans: These plans focus on heat, air-conditioning, plumbing, electric, and water heaters.


• Hybrid plans: As their name suggests, hybrid plans combine appliance and systems coverage, but are pricier because they are more comprehensive.


• Add-ons: Most home warranty companies give you the option to add on coverage for special items not covered under typical plans. Common add-ons include pools, wells, whirlpools, spas, and septic systems.

My husband and I built a new home that we moved into a year and a half ago, and we benefited greatly from our home warranty. After living in the home for almost a year, we presented our builder with a list of issues to rectify before our warranty was up. It included numerous drywall fixes, interior and exterior paint touch-ups, the repair of a wobbly toilet, and a costly valve replacement on our downstairs air-conditioning unit. The air-conditioning repair alone would have been several hundred dollars without the home warranty.

An important point to keep in mind, especially for older homes, is that home warranties are intended to cover unexpected fixes. Many plans won’t cover routine service or problems that are the direct result of incomplete or improper maintenance.

How much does a home warranty cost?

The price of a home warranty depends on what type of property you need covered — for instance, whether you live in a condo or a single-family home — and whether you stick with a basic plan or buy an upgraded version. Basic plans typically range from $ 350 to $ 500 a year, according to Angie’s List; souped-up plans can cost as much as $ 800. On top of the cost of the plan, you will also have to pay a service fee or deductible of roughly $ 50 to $ 125 each time you need something fixed.

If you’re buying a newly built home, the cost of your home warranty may be rolled into the purchase price of your home. That was the case when I moved into my new home, and it turned out to be a nice perk. You may also find that if you’re buying an existing home, the seller or real-estate agent may throw in a home warranty plan to sweeten the deal.

How do I get something fixed under my home warranty?

The home warranty company will arrange repairs on your behalf after you pay any necessary service fees or deductibles. With rare exceptions, you do not get to choose a company to do the work — the home warranty company already has preferred vendors. You should also understand that a home warranty company is obligated only to make sure covered items are in working order. They don’t have to replace your aging relic of a furnace, even if it’s long past its prime. Same with that funky avocado stove from the early ’80s — don’t expect your home warranty company to swap it out for a brand-new stainless-steel model.

Do I Need a Home Warranty?

For most homebuyers, home warranties are about peace of mind. For some, that’s reason enough to fork over a few hundred bucks. But like any financial product, home warranties have significant pros and cons. Read on to decide whether a home warranty is the right decision for you.

Home warranty pros

A home warranty can be a big help if you don’t have a ton of cash left in savings — a particularly common scenario for homebuyers who just plunked down thousands for a down payment, closing costs, and other incidentals. With home warranty, one big, unforeseen problem may only cost you a small service fee to fix as opposed to shelling out hundreds. A reputable home warranty company can also eliminate the frustration you may feel as you attempt to make repairs yourself or find someone else to do them. So, if you’re the type of person who likes to make one call and leave the rest up to the experts, a home warranty can ease some stress.

Home warranty cons

The biggest con of home warranties may be the most obvious: There’s a good chance you won’t need to request any repairs from your home warranty company, which means you’re out at least a few hundred dollars. If you do need something fixed, you will still be paying a service fee or deductible on top of the initial price of your plan. You may not like the repair company your home warranty company sends to do the work, and you’ll have little control over the speed with which the repairs are done. There’s also a chance your repair won’t be covered, which is a common complaint among home-warranty customers. Of course, you can help guard against this scenario by reading your policy contract extremely carefully.

In my case, it’s unlikely I would have purchased a home warranty had our builder not included one in our home’s purchase price. Though we did end up using the warranty for a costly fix, the chance of major breakdowns is low in a newer home. And as always, you can set aside money in your emergency fund (where it will earn interest, too) to cover unanticipated fixes.

Final Thoughts

Remember the golden rule of home warranties: Read the contract before signing up. And maintain a clear understanding of the pros and cons. Your home warranty policy is meant to keep you from paying big for unexpected fixes, but there are many limits. If you have realistic expectations about what your home warranty can do for you, you may find that the peace of mind is worth the price.

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Witness Preparation: Best Practices for a Successful Deposition

Jim Calloway’s Law Practice Tips Blog

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