Do Security Upgrades Lower Homeowners Insurance? Discounts for Alarms, Cameras & Smart Devices
Home security upgrades can protect your family and property—but can they also lower your homeowners insurance premium?
Yes, certain security upgrades may qualify you for a homeowners insurance discount. Professionally monitored burglar and fire alarms, smoke detectors, water-leak detection systems, and automatic water shutoff devices are examples of improvements that some insurers reward. However, discounts vary by insurance company, policy, location, and device. Security cameras, video doorbells, and smart locks may improve security without automatically lowering your premium.
If you're wondering “Does a security system lower homeowners insurance?”, the best approach is to find out which upgrades your insurer recognizes before spending money specifically to earn a discount.
Why Can Security Upgrades Lower Homeowners Insurance?
Homeowners insurance premiums are based on many factors related to the home and the risk of future claims. Your home's location, replacement cost, age, construction, claims history, deductible, and other details can all influence what you pay. Our guide to how homeowners insurance rates are calculated explains these factors in greater detail.
Security and safety features can become part of that risk picture.
A monitored alarm could help detect a break-in. A monitored smoke alarm could provide earlier notification of a fire. A water sensor might identify a leak before it causes extensive damage.
Because certain devices may reduce the likelihood or severity of a loss, some insurers offer a protective device discount on homeowners insurance.
Which Security Upgrades Are Most Likely to Earn a Discount?
Not every security device is treated equally.
If you're still choosing a system, compare the safest types of home security systems for families based on your household's needs first. Then ask your insurance company which options qualify for discounts.
Generally, devices worth asking your insurer about include:
More likely to qualify: professionally monitored burglar alarms, centrally monitored fire alarms, and certain automatic water shutoff systems.
May qualify: smart-home security systems, water-leak sensors, connected smoke detectors, and other approved protective devices.
Less likely to qualify on their own: stand-alone security cameras, video doorbells, motion lights, and basic smart locks.
These are general examples, not universal rules. Every insurer can establish its own eligibility requirements.
1. Professionally Monitored Burglar Alarms
A professionally monitored system is one of the first upgrades to investigate if you're looking for a burglar alarm insurance discount.
Imagine two homeowners leave town for a week. Both have an attempted break-in.
Homeowner A has an alarm that sounds inside the house. Homeowner B has a qualifying monitored system that sends an alert to a monitoring service, which can follow its response procedures.
Both systems may provide security benefits, but an insurer could view the monitored system differently because someone can receive the alert when the homeowner isn't there.
Before purchasing professional monitoring specifically for insurance savings, ask whether your insurer offers a monitored alarm insurance discount and what requirements must be met.
2. Smoke Detectors and Monitored Fire Alarms
Security isn't only about burglary.
Smoke detectors and monitored fire alarms may qualify for certain home insurance safety discounts because early detection can reduce the severity of a fire.
Don't assume your insurer already knows what you have installed. If you've upgraded your smoke or fire detection system since purchasing your policy, tell your agent.
Insurance companies may also consider numerous other conditions when evaluating a property. Understanding why insurance companies inspect homes and what they look for can help explain why safety and maintenance matter to insurers.
3. Water-Leak Sensors and Automatic Shutoff Systems
One of the most useful smart home insurance discount opportunities may have nothing to do with burglary.
Consider a washing-machine hose that fails while you're away for the weekend. If water continues flowing unnoticed, a relatively small failure can become a major loss.
A smart leak sensor can alert you when water is detected. More advanced systems may detect unusual water activity and automatically shut off the home's water supply.
Some insurers recognize qualifying water-protection devices because they can reduce water-damage risk.
If you're looking for ways to lower homeowners insurance, ask about leak detection and automatic shutoff devices rather than focusing exclusively on burglar alarms.
4. Do Security Cameras and Video Doorbells Lower Home Insurance?
Do security cameras lower homeowners insurance? Sometimes, but don't count on cameras alone qualifying for a discount.
Cameras and video doorbells may deter unwanted activity and provide useful footage after an incident. However, an insurer may place more emphasis on an actively monitored system than a camera that simply records activity.
The same principle applies if you're asking, “Does a Ring doorbell lower homeowners insurance?” A video doorbell may improve your home's security, but whether it earns a discount depends on your insurer and its requirements.
5. Smart Locks and Smart-Home Systems
Smart locks, connected alarms, cameras, smoke detectors, and sensors can work together to create a more comprehensive security system.
Some insurers may offer smart home insurance savings for approved technology. These upgrades can have benefits beyond insurance, too. If you're planning several improvements, compare the best smart-home upgrades for resale value before deciding where your money will have the greatest impact.
If you operate a business from your house, remember that physical security is only one consideration. Equipment, inventory, and business liability may require additional protection. Our guide to home-based business insurance and the coverage you may need explains those considerations.
Businesses that store customer information or rely heavily on technology should also understand cyber liability insurance for home-based businesses.
How Much Can a Security System Save on Homeowners Insurance?
There isn't one universal security-system discount.
Your savings can depend on your insurer, policy, equipment, monitoring arrangements, location, and other underwriting factors.
That's why it's important to do the math.
Suppose you are considering a $700 security system plus a monthly monitoring fee primarily because you expect an insurance discount. Ask your insurer for the potential premium difference before purchasing the equipment.
A security system can still be worthwhile even when the insurance savings don't cover its cost. Safety, convenience, theft deterrence, and faster detection of problems all have value.
Ask These 5 Questions Before Buying an Upgrade
If your primary goal is getting a home security insurance discount, call your insurance agent before going shopping.
Ask:
- Does this specific device or system qualify for a discount?
- Does it have to be professionally monitored?
- Is professional installation or certification required?
- What documentation will I need to provide?
- Approximately how much would this discount change my premium?
Save receipts, installation records, monitoring certificates, and equipment information afterward.
You should also notify your insurer about substantial changes to your property. Security systems aren't the only improvements that can affect insurance, so homeowners planning larger projects should understand how home renovations affect home insurance.
A Discount Doesn't Guarantee Your Total Premium Will Drop
Here's an important distinction: you could qualify for a protective-device discount and still see your total homeowners insurance premium increase at renewal.
Why?
Your security discount is only one component of the overall premium. Changes involving replacement costs, claims experience, catastrophe exposure, coverage selections, or other rating factors may affect your total price.
In other words, receiving a security-related discount does not necessarily mean your final bill will be lower than it was last year.
That's why it can be more useful to compare the actual total premium before and after a discount instead of focusing only on the discount percentage.
Already Have Security Devices? Check Your Policy
You may be able to investigate a discount without buying anything.
Look around your home and make a list of existing features:
- Professionally monitored alarm
- Security cameras
- Video doorbell
- Smoke and fire detectors
- Smart locks
- Water-leak sensors
- Automatic water shutoff
- Connected smart-home safety equipment
Then ask your agent which devices qualify.
This is particularly important if you installed security equipment after your policy was originally issued. Your insurer may not know about improvements you made after purchasing your policy.
Security Upgrades Can Still Be Worthwhile Without a Discount
Don't judge an upgrade exclusively by how much it lowers your insurance.
A camera could provide evidence after a break-in. A leak sensor could alert you to water before significant damage occurs. A monitored smoke alarm could provide an alert when no one is home.
Preventing or limiting a loss can potentially be much more valuable than a relatively small annual premium discount.
The best security investment is therefore one that makes sense for your household even if your insurer offers no discount at all.
Bottom Line: Ask Before You Upgrade
So, do security upgrades trigger homeowners insurance premium discounts?
They can. Professionally monitored burglar and fire alarms, water-protection systems, and certain smart-home devices may qualify for discounts, while cameras, video doorbells, and smart locks may or may not qualify on their own.
The smartest move is simple: talk with an insurance professional before spending money specifically to earn a discount.
Ask exactly which devices qualify, whether professional monitoring is required, what documentation you'll need, and how a qualifying discount could affect your premium.
And if you already have security equipment, don't assume your insurer knows about it. A policy review could uncover a discount you've been overlooking—and help identify other opportunities to protect your home and potentially lower your insurance costs.
Not sure whether your current security system qualifies or what homeowners insurance discounts may be available? Reach out to Bluefield Insurance Group. Our team can help you review your homeowners insurance coverage, understand which discounts may be available to you, and explore ways to protect your home while making sure your policy still fits your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ADT lower homeowners insurance?
A professionally monitored system may qualify for a discount with some insurers, but having a particular brand does not guarantee savings. Ask your insurance company about its specific requirements.
Do security cameras lower homeowners insurance?
They may qualify with some companies or as part of a broader system, but stand-alone cameras do not automatically earn a discount.
Does a Ring doorbell lower homeowners insurance?
It may help improve home security, but owning a Ring doorbell does not automatically qualify you for a homeowners insurance discount. Ask your insurer whether video doorbells or the larger security system they are connected to qualify.
Do smart locks qualify for a home insurance discount?
Possibly. Eligibility depends on the insurer and the type of smart-home program or protective devices it recognizes.
Can a water-leak detector lower homeowners insurance?
Some insurers offer discounts for qualifying leak-detection or automatic water shutoff systems. Ask whether your particular device meets the insurer's requirements.
Do I need proof of my security system?
Potentially. Your insurer may request a monitoring certificate, installation documentation, receipt, or other evidence before applying a discount.
