Depending on your policy you may qualify for an insurance discount of up to 20% when you have a monitored security system.

Reed Security protects a number of local insurance brokers including The Co-operators, Cherry Insurance, Cooke Insurance and Saskatoon Insurance Agencies. We contacted them for advice and we found the discounts vary between insurance companies.

The main reason an insurance company provides a discount is because it’s less likely you will have a claim. In fact, it’s 400% less likely to have a break-in or major loss when have a monitored security system.

Sometimes the insurance discount can even pay for the entire cost of your monthly security fees. If your home insurance policy is $1600/year and you received a 20% discount, you would save $320/year on insurance costs. If the monthly 24/7 monitoring fee you pay to your security provider is $21.95/month (x 12 months = $263.40), then you would save $56.60 every year.

Some insurance companies provide a discount of 10% to 15% no matter what 24/7 monitoring coverage you have. Other insurance companies will provide additional discounts when you have monitored fire, flood and low temperature protection. To determine exactly how much you can save please contact your local insurance broker.

WARNING: If you cancel your 24/7 monitoring service with your security company you should let your insurance broker know immediately. If you were receiving an insurance discount based on lower risks – you don’t want to run into any problems when you need to use your insurance. Security companies provide records to investigators.

It's that time of year when you will be getting pressured by aggressive door to door salespeople. They will be pushing you to sign you up to "limited time offers" that expire "right away" (because they do not have a local office).  And before you know you know it you're on the hook for thousands of dollars.

Several alarm companies only have SUMMER PROGRAMS. They rent houses and hire large crews of university students which are offered large commissions ($400 to $500 per contract) to get you to sign up.

LEARN MORE by Googling "door to door alarm scam".

ReedHD™ Hi-Def Security Camera systems have become an important tool for businesses and families. CCTV systems of the past were bulky and expensive and only banks, airports, large retailers, grocery stores and big businesses could afford them. Not anymore! Thanks to early adoption, mass production and payment plans ReedHD™ Hi-Def Security Camera packages are very affordable. We still install video surveillance systems at traditional businesses, but they can now be found just about everywhere – small businesses, gas stations, local restaurants, boutique stores, farms, grain processing facilities, mines, construction sites, schools and at homes.

So, what should you look for when shopping for a modern HD video surveillance system?

1) Ease of Use

We recommend the “try before you buy” method and demo the system you are considering investing in. We have a variety of systems to fit every budget, but the general rule is you get what you pay for. A user managing 4 cameras at a single site has different requirements than a Security Manager that manages 200+ cameras in multiple cities. Our certified technicians will professionally install your ReedHD™ Hi-Def Security Camera system and ensure you understand how to view cameras on your smartphone, search for evidence and make a back-up for the Police.

3) Effectiveness

Having an expensive 7K (29MP) HD security camera that can record license plates from 2000 feet away won’t do you any good in poor lighting conditions or if there is an obstructed view. We have installed nearly 20,000 security cameras and have consulted local Police services on optimal placements to help solve crimes. An experienced Reed Security Specialist knows which cameras to install where to ensure your video surveillance solution is effective when you need it most. We also recommend placing several Protected by ReedHD™ warning signs and decals at a site to make potential criminals think twice before committing a crime. Internal theft (employees, shoplifting) is far more common than external theft by an 8:1 ratio. We install warning signage on the inside of the building too - in particular high risk areas such as cash registers and exits.

TOP 25 COOL SECURITY SOLUTIONS FROM ISCWEST

Would you rather partner with a cutting-edge security LEADER that brings the latest and greatest crime-fighting technology back for their Clients? Or would you like to partner with the Dinosaurs that like to FOLLOW?

Every year we head to Vegas to attend ISCWest. With 1000 exhibitors and 30,0000 security geeks it's the largest Security Expo in North America.

The near future is all about smart security cameras and video management software with Artificial Intelligence (AI). It's getting close to what you see on TV shows like CSI. One example is Face Appearance Search by Avigilon. The software is so smart it can quickly search for the Face of a Person at a site. In the example below the Avigilon representative chooses a thumbnail image of the person he wants to find and the recorded video with the persons face displays immediately. If you look closely, the person he is looking for is on the far right and has an identification box. This is ideal for high traffic locations such as schools, airports, hospitals, government and office buildings.