Almost 70% of polled Canadians believe home security increases home value

Results of a national poll issued Thursday indicate that 69% of surveyed Canadians believe that home security systems add value to their homes.

Despite that belief, though, almost 40% of respondents were unaware that having a home security system reduces insurance rates, AlarmForce Industries notes in a statement detailing results of its Spring Home Security Poll.

“In some cases, insurance companies will give you a discount of up to 20% on your annual premiums depending on the extensiveness of your home security package,” Anne Marie Thomas an industry expert with quote-comparison site Kanetix.ca, reports in the company statement.

Conducted by Environics Research, the poll reflects input from 817 Canadians surveyed in late March and early April. Results are considered accurate +/- 4% 19 out of 20.

The poll shows more than 40% of homeowners looking to purchase a new home have a pre-installed home security system on their checklist. “When looking for any additional edge in increasing your home value, having a home security system in place has increasingly become an expectation when purchasing a home,” suggests Beth Robertson, vice president of sales and marketing for AlarmForce Industries, which provides security monitoring, video surveillance and related services to residential and commercial subscribers.

Other highlights from the poll include the following:

• 68% of respondents are in favour of being able to remotely arm/disarm their home security systems, as well as monitor or control smarthome options like door locks, smoke detectors, lighting, garage doors and cameras remotely from a computer or smartphone;
• 76% say a monitored alarm system is effective in improving safety and security of their homes; and
• 23% do not rely on home security at all.

To protect one’s home and property, among other things, the statement suggests homeowners install motion lights in areas that are hard to see by neighbours or the public; secure windows and window air conditioner units, especially those on the first floor; apply the street address on the back of the house so backyard neighbours know what to tell police if they see suspicious activity; and ensure interior mirrors do not reflect the home alarm system through windows or doors.