12 Questions You Should Ask Before Choosing
A Home Security Company

1. Is your company large or small? How long have you been in business?
What is your credit rating?

Many security companies are small and may lack expertise and professionalism. Other security companies are branches of large conglomerates and may lack a customer friendly attitude.

Standard Security Systems is a division of Standard Oil of Connecticut, one of Connecticut's oldest and largest home service companies. With thousands of satisfied residential and commercial customers throughout the state, we're small enough so that you can speak to our president, but big enough to have the systems and personnel to deliver great service. We employ 250 people, have been in business since 1913, and have a 2AA credit rating with Dunn & Bradstreet.

2. Will I own the system or will it be leased?

With many security companies you never own the equipment in your house - you lease it. If you drop the service, the company will remove the equipment. Some companies will allow you to buy the equipment, but if the equipment is proprietary, it can only be monitored by the company who provided it.

With Standard Security Systems you own the equipment that is installed in your home. And, Standard Security installs only non-proprietary equipment that can be monitored by most other central stations.
.
3. How much equipment will I need?

Alarm systems vary according to need, but some companies will try to sell you "the works" - things you don't need - in order to increase the sale.

Prior to any sale, Standard Security Systems carefully analyzes any potential risks and how specific equipment will solve the need. You decide what solutions work best for you and your budget, so you get the security you need at a cost that is reasonable.

4. How much insurance does your company carry?

There are no legal requirements in the state of Connecticut for security companies to carry workman's compensation or other insurance. That means you could be liable if an employee gets hurt on your property.

Standard Security Systems carries $7 million of insurance including general aggregate, workers compensation, and automobile liability.

5. Who answers your telephone after hours?

After 5pm virtually all security companies forward their telephone to an answering service.

Standard Security Systems offers around-the-clock emergency customer service. There is always at least one trained, Standard Security Systems representative who answers the telephone 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our technicians are also on-call 24/7.

6. How good is your central station, is it UL certified, what is your response time?

Many security companies monitor their customers from central stations that are not certified to meet professional standards. Average response times can vary widely depending on the incident.

Standard Security Systems' monitoring facilities and operating procedures meet or exceed the highest standards in the alarm monitoring industry. They are certified by Underwriters Laboratory (UL), meets UL's fireproof standard, have double or triple back-up for electrical, telephone, and recording systems, and have six remote sites running simultaneously in the event of a catastrophe. Standard Security Systems boasts an excellent response time, with over 93% of our high priority calls (burglar, fire, medical and panic) processed in under one minute.

7. How fast does your company respond if my alarm is broken?

Many security companies provide service on a "when-available" basis at a per hour charge.

Standard Security Systems offers in-home repair and replacement service, with technicians on call 24/7. With our remote diagnostic capabilities, however, we can run a full analysis of your system, and in many cases, have your security system back online without a home visit. We respond to emergency service calls in less than 2 hours on average.

8. Is your company a member of the Better Business Bureau?

To be a member of the Better Business Bureau, a company must maintain a high level of customer service. Fewer than 20% of security companies belong to the Better Business Bureau.

Standard Security Systems is a member of the Better Business Bureau of Connecticut. In addition, Standard Security also holds membership in the nation's premier security and alarm associations including the Connecticut Alarm And Systems Integrators Association, the National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association, the National Fire Protection Association, the New York Burglar and Fire Alarm Association and the Regional Alarm Systems Integrators Association.

9. How long is your installation under warranty and what does it cover?

Most security companies offer no or limited warranties on their installations.

Standard Security Systems warranties all installations for 90 days for both parts and labor.

10. Do you offer a price guarantee?

Many security companies do not offer a price guarantee.

Standard Security Systems offers a 30-day price guarantee whereby it will match any written installation offer for similar equipment and services from a competing home security company.

11. How can I be sure that the service technician you send to my house is not a convicted felon?

Surprising as it may seem, many security companies do not carefully screen their new hires. Very few do comprehensive criminal background checks because they are expensive.

Standard Security Systems rigorously checks every sales person and service technician we hire. Before a new employee is hired, the applicant must first pass aptitude and personality tests. We then run thorough credit, driving, reference, and criminal background checks. Only after we are sure the employee is trustworthy do we send them to a customer's home.

12. How many service technicians do you have?

Most security companies have 1-3 technicians.

Standard Security System has a staff of over 20 service technicians that are state certified with alarm licenses. Our technicians are also certified by the National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association (NBFAA), and receive training through the NBFAA and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) as well as manufacturer sponsored training through Honeywell and Napco.