One large benefit to the Arlo cameras is due to their practical and important function regarding security; consumers can have the cost of the cameras offset by homeowner’s insurance discounts simply by having a security camera system implemented around their property. Though the specific amount varies on your insurance policy, many use cases can see a modest discount. The reasons for the rebate are well-warranted. When properties (e.g., homes and businesses) are monitored by video surveillance systems, this significantly decreases the chances of being burglarized. Potential intruders stay away from areas protected by cameras due to the increased risk of being caught.
Even having a sticker in a window (also included with the Arlo system) can deter burglars. However, if it does happen, the recorded footage helps law enforcement identify the person and aids in recovering any stolen items. These benefits are beautiful to insurance companies, as property owners who leverage surveillance systems are less likely to file expensive claims for loss or property damages. As a result, these companies often encourage customers to use security cameras by offering discounts; the more sophisticated the surveillance system is, the larger its value. As a test case, we’ve deployed the Arlo Security Camera system around the home and gone through the legwork with one insurance company to determine how much the cameras can lower a homeowners’ insurance policy.
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Installing the cameras around a home is fairly straightforward with the multitude of mounting options the Arlo cameras support. The camera design includes a rubberized concave portion on the rear magnetized to hold onto different fittings. In addition to that easy-to-use system, Netgear also consists of a standard 1/4″ threaded hole on the bottom of each camera to work with various universal camera-mounting systems. The mounting system that worked for our test case included stock metal domes that we affixed to our exterior flashing on windows around the home.
Our goal was to provide an adequate view of the perimeter of the house and cover the main entry points (front door, backyard gate, driveway, and side of house) while still keeping the cameras within reach for ease of service, with a battery-powered system, it’s important to remember that eventually, you’ll need to be able to get to the camera to swap out the batteries. By mounting it to the exterior trim on upper-level windows, servicing is as simple as opening the window and pulling it off its magnetic holder. Adjustments were also simple since you don’t need to break a ladder for small field-of-view changes.
With the cameras up and operational, it’s important to note how to access the system best and receive prompt notifications of activity seen by different cameras. The easiest by far is using the Arlo app on your iPhone or Android. NETGEAR offers various forms of notifying you of action, including popups and emails where a still-image is attached to see what is happening, and text message alerts are included. With five cameras in our setup, three of which viewed some public roads in front of the house, the flood of emails changed our preferred notification method to app prompts on an iPhone. If a phone wasn’t on hand, the Arlo website offered the same functionality to check in on things and adjust as needed.
As for how much you might be able to save, other factors affect the discount unrelated to the Arlo cameras, such as geographical location, the size of your property/home, and other policy agreements. Cincinnati Insurance lowered the yearly policy cost by $96 through a Security Protection Credit. In our test case, The requirement is that the cameras cover the property’s perimeter, record activity 24/7, and can be remotely viewed. The discount is enough to offset the vast majority of the $449 retail purchase price for a 4-camera over the product’s life. The added security and convenience of knowing what is happening around your property makes the Arlo video monitoring system an easy choice for homeowners.