.png)
Do You Need a Monitored Alarm This Winter? What Insurers Expect
- Rossells Staff
- 4 hours ago
- 6 min read
When winter draws in, so do the risks.Longer nights, empty homes, and the quiet calm of early darkness create the perfect conditions for opportunistic crime. It’s no coincidence that burglary rates across the UK climb sharply between November and February — a pattern that repeats itself year after year.
That’s why, each winter, many homeowners begin asking the same question:“Do I really need a monitored alarm?”
The short answer?If you want your insurer — and your peace of mind — on your side, then yes, a monitored alarm isn’t just an upgrade. It’s fast becoming an expectation.
1. What Exactly Is a Monitored Alarm?
A monitored alarm is more than just an audible deterrent. It’s a connected system that ensures someone responds when your alarm is triggered — whether you’re home, at work, or halfway across the world.
Unlike a traditional “bells-only” alarm, which simply makes noise and hopes for attention, a monitored alarm system connects your home directly to an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC).
At Rossells, our systems are linked to NSI Gold-accredited monitoring stations, which means every alert is handled by trained professionals who can:
Verify an activation using sensors or CCTV.
Contact you or your nominated keyholders immediately.
Notify police or emergency services when needed.
In short: a bells-only alarm shouts for help.A monitored alarm gets it.
2. Why Insurers Care About Monitored Alarms
Insurers think in terms of risk. The lower your risk, the lower your premium — and the faster you’ll be paid out if something goes wrong.
A professionally monitored alarm is a visible, measurable reduction in risk. It proves you’ve taken “reasonable precautions”, a common clause in most home insurance policies.
In many cases, insurers now:
Request confirmation that your system is professionally installed and maintained.
Specify approved standards, such as BS EN 50131 or PD 6662 for intruder systems.
Offer lower premiums for homes with NSI or SSAIB-certified monitoring.
Require active monitoring for high-value or second homes.
If your alarm isn’t monitored, your insurer might still cover you — but claims can become complicated if they decide you didn’t take adequate steps to protect your property.
In other words: a monitored alarm doesn’t just keep burglars away. It keeps your insurer on side.
3. The Winter Risk Factor
Data from UK police forces and insurance providers show that burglary rates increase by up to 30% during the darker months.
The reasons are simple:
Thieves use the cover of darkness to move unnoticed.
People spend more evenings away at events or visiting family.
Delivery and parcel theft spike, adding to overall crime activity.
Homes appear vacant earlier, often with visible cues like drawn curtains or unlit windows.
A monitored alarm transforms that vulnerability into resilience.When your system is connected through Rossells’ ARC, any detection — a forced door, motion inside, or glass break — triggers an immediate response sequence, even if you never hear the alarm yourself.
4. What a Monitored Alarm Does (and How It Differs)
Here’s how it breaks down.
Feature | Standard “Bells-Only” Alarm | Rossells Monitored Alarm System |
Audible Siren | Yes | Yes |
Remote Notification | No | Yes (via ARC or App) |
24/7 Professional Response | No | Yes |
Police Response (URN) | No | Yes (if registered) |
Verification (CCTV/Sensors) | No | Yes |
Maintenance & Reporting | Manual | Regularly serviced and certified |
Insurance Benefit | Minimal | Recognised as formal risk reduction |
With a Rossells monitored alarm, your property is never left alone.Our ARC operators can verify intrusions in seconds, ensuring that false alarms are filtered — and genuine threats are acted on fast.
Many insurers even ask if your alarm is “URN-registered” — meaning it’s authorised for direct police response. Rossells handles this registration process as part of our installation service, ensuring compliance from day one.
5. The Insurance Connection: What They Actually Expect
Insurance providers rarely spell it out clearly in their policy documents, but most will expect you to:
Keep your alarm system fully operational.If it’s installed, it must be maintained — ideally under contract with a professional company like Rossells.
Use your alarm when the property is unattended.Leaving your system disarmed could void claims following a burglary.
Choose accredited installers.Rossells is NSI Gold-approved, meaning our systems meet the highest UK standard recognised by all major insurers.
Provide evidence of maintenance and monitoring.This can support claims and reduce dispute risks after an incident.
Essentially, your insurer wants proof that you’ve done everything reasonably possible to deter and detect intruders. A monitored alarm does exactly that — and documents it automatically.
6. How Much Does a Monitored Alarm Cost?
Cost varies depending on your home size, layout, and chosen features, but as a general guide:
System Type | Typical Installation | Monthly Monitoring |
Basic Monitored Alarm | £800–£1,200 | £25–£40 |
Smart Home Integrated Alarm | £1,200–£2,000 | £30–£60 |
Alarm + CCTV Integration | £1,800–£3,500 | £40–£80 |
These are realistic figures based on Rossells’ own installations across the Midlands.
When compared to the average £3,000–£5,000 cost of a domestic burglary, it’s clear that monitored systems are not just protection — they’re value preservation.
More importantly, they prevent that sense of violation and chaos that follows a break-in. A camera can’t fix that. A monitored alarm can stop it from happening.
7. Why Winter Is the Right Time to Upgrade
Winter magnifies every weakness in your home security.Battery life drops in cold weather, older alarms become unreliable, and false alerts often lead homeowners to ignore real ones.
That’s why many insurers view winter as a high-risk season — and why Rossells sees a noticeable rise in upgrade requests between October and February.
Installing a monitored system before the darkest months gives you:
Immediate protection when burglary rates rise.
Evidence for your insurer that you’ve taken proactive action.
Peace of mind when travelling or spending time away during the holidays.
It’s prevention, not reaction — and that’s exactly what insurers like to see.
8. Integration: The Modern Standard
Today’s monitored systems don’t operate in isolation. Rossells integrates alarms with CCTV (Video Surveillance Systems), access control, and smart detection to create a connected home ecosystem.
That means:
Motion detected by your alarm can trigger camera recording.
Footage can be sent automatically to our monitoring centre for verification.
You can view live activity from your smartphone app — even while abroad.
This connectivity is key for insurance claims. Verified, timestamped footage dramatically increases the success rate of investigations and claim approvals.
With Rossells’ systems, verification is instant and secure — the difference between an “unconfirmed alarm” and “police dispatched.”
9. Common Insurance Scenarios
Scenario 1: The Unmonitored Alarm
A homeowner in Leicester had a standard alarm fitted several years ago. During a December break-in, the siren sounded, but the intruder was gone before neighbours reacted. The insurer accepted the claim but increased the premium by 15% the following year — citing “lack of monitored protection.”
Scenario 2: The Monitored Alarm
A Rossells client with a connected system had a similar attempted break-in. Motion was detected, footage verified, and police dispatched within minutes. Nothing was taken, no damage occurred, and their insurer praised the response — no premium increase.
Insurers know the difference between a reactive and a proactive homeowner. A monitored alarm makes that difference visible.
10. Why Choose Rossells for Monitored Security
When choosing a monitored system, it’s not just about the hardware — it’s about the people behind it.
Rossells has been protecting homes across the Midlands since 1928, combining craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology.Here’s what sets us apart:
NSI Gold Accreditation: The highest level of approval in the UK security industry.
In-House Engineers: Every installation and maintenance visit is carried out by Rossells staff — never subcontractors.
Tailored Design: Systems built around your property, not generic templates.
24/7 Monitoring: Constant protection from our accredited control centre.
Integrated Systems: Alarms, CCTV, access control, and automation — all working together.
Exceptional Aftercare: Annual maintenance, remote support, and customer-first service.
We don’t just install technology; we build trust.
11. What to Do Next: Book Your Free Home Security Audit
If you’re not sure whether your insurer expects a monitored alarm, or whether your current system still meets industry standards, Rossells can help.
Our Free Home Security Audit includes:
A full review of your existing alarm and its compliance.
Assessment of weak points and risk areas.
Personalised recommendations for monitored protection.
Clear, no-obligation pricing for upgrades or maintenance.
It’s the simplest way to find out what your insurer — and your home — really need.
📞 Call 0116 262 8899📩 Email hello@rossells.co.uk🌐 Or book online at rossells.co.uk
In Summary
Monitored alarms provide 24/7 protection, verified response, and insurer confidence.
Insurers increasingly expect professionally installed, maintained, and accredited systems.
Winter brings higher risk, making now the ideal time to upgrade.
Rossells offers fully integrated, NSI Gold-approved systems tailored to your home.
A monitored alarm is no longer just about security — it’s about assurance, accountability, and partnership with professionals who care.
Comments