see below for The Alarm Exchange
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Question
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Ken-
I was discussing some information from the CSAA website on this subject and my associate brought up a good question that I hope you can provide your opinion on. The website states “In the industry’s experience both builders and property managers can insure themselves for any exposure resulting from the negligent installation or provisions of service by security service companies.”
We are looking for an example of a where this would arise and what that would entail.
Thanks for your continued efforts to provide solid information and guidance to our industry.
Erik Haston
First Alarm
Aptos Ca.
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Answer
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It's not just builders and property managers, it's all property owners and tenants who occupy real property. It's customary to carry insurance to cover damages from possible risks. I don't know about other countries, but ours is a society of insurance coverage. Now we are about to experience compulsory health insurance, but this is not the first time we are compelled to carry insurance. Car owners must have insurance to register a car. Employers must carry workers comp insurance and disability insurance for employees. Contractors are compelled to carry general liability insurance to obtain and maintain licenses. These are examples of government requirements for insurance.
Property owners are not required by law to carry insurance. That may be a requirement of a lender who holds a mortgage, but not a government requirement. When you buy the property you don't have to get Title Insurance [that insures against defects in title] or general liability insurance [that insures against someone getting injured on the property] or fire and casualty insurance [that insures against property damage]. But almost all property owners carry those policies. Likewise, property owners or tenants generally carry insurance to cover loss by theft, fire or casualty.
So with everyone so heavily insured why do subscribers, particularly institutional subs, become so insistent that the alarm co be responsible for losses; request indemnity or to increase the limitation of liability to insurance limits? I think the best answer is, why not? Why not try and pass the exposure to these risks onto the alarm co. That way the property owner or the subscriber doesn't have to burden its own carrier. I suppose the theory is that then the property owner or sub can keep its insurance premiums down.
There are competing arguments. On one hand, what's wrong with requiring the alarm co to be responsible for any loss occasioned by its negligence or breach of contract? On the other, why should the alarm co, who is not charging insurance company rates for the risks involved, have to be exposed when the property owner or sub carries and pays for insurance that covers the risk?
The above question asks for examples. They are so obvious that I am thinking that maybe I am missing the question. Most prevalent for property owners, fire alarm services. Alarm co installs, inspects, monitors, and services the fire alarm system. The building catches fire, alarm signal doesn't go out, or does go out and isn't handled properly, building burns down. Well, the sub has insurance that will cover that loss, and the sub will certainly look to that coverage. And just as likely the sub's insurance company will look to sue the alarm company to recoup it's loss on the pay out of the insurance under its subrogation rights. Trouble is, the alarm co didn't cause the fire, and only got $50 a month to monitor the system. The insurance company may have collected tens of thousands of dollars in premiums, and in any event its the insurance company that assessed the risk and decided on the appropriate premium based on the value of the risk. The alarm co charges are based on the cost of the service, not the potential loss if there is a fire or burglary.
I had a matter years ago where the alarm co tech drilled into a wall and hit a gas pipe. The building, in NYC, was mixed, commercial restaurant / comedy club on ground floor, and residential apartments above for several floors. The alarm co was installing probably an intrusion system and, as is the case in most installations in an old existing building, didn't have building schematics and wire and pipe locations. The NYC fire department responded and closed the building for 3 days; everyone had to evacuate and the restaurant / club remained closed for 3 days. The restaurant was the sub and the property owner. It could have had loss of business coverage and the tenants could have had insurance that paid for their relocation and housing for a few days. I don't really know if they did. I do know the sub made claim for damages and was deterred from pursuing a claim when the alarm contract terms were explained.
There are many stories where alarms haven't worked and the sub and others suffered burglary loss, fire loss or some other loss that the alarm system was designed to detect. One more. One of my first cases. Alarm monitored water flow in a commercial lobster tank. Flow stopped over weekend, alarm didn't work, lobsters died. This is when lobsters cost more than they do today. Anyway, again the alarm contract prevailed and the alarm co did not have to pay for the loss. Perhaps the sub had insurance, I don't recall.
So when your sub wants you to indemnify or increase your limit of liability or worse yet, be responsible for losses, remind the sub that it has insurance and you don't charge enough to act as the insurance company.
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Electronic Security Association of Virginia, Annual Conference.and Trade Show. October 16, 2012 at Virginia Beach Resort Hotel and Conference Center. For more information contact Lynn Comer at lynn.comer@shenvalleysec.com; (800) 538-2322
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The Alarm Exchange
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Help Wanted:
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Key West FL Alarm Company seeking experienced alarm technician. Send resume with references and salary requirements to scotts@barnesalarmsystems.com. No phone calls please.
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NYC alarm company looking for experienced alarm techs.and operators Call Dana 212 206 0900 or email to unitednyjobs@aol.com
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NYC central station looking for experienced general manager. Contact Ken Kirschenbaum at 516 747 6700 ext 301. All inquiries will be keep confidential.
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Long Island Central Station Alarm Company looking for experienced alarm technicians and central station operators. Excellent salary and benefits. E-Mail hr@lowittalarms.com or call 516-433-6960 ext. 215.
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Oakland, CA company looking for experienced electronic technician – alarms, CCTV, access control, intercoms, etc. Send resume and references to HR@reedbrothers.com or call Nancy at 800-400-5625 x158
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Long Island, NY based fire and security technology manufacturer is looking for:
1. experienced installation technicians who are interested in exploring a technical support role.
2. a Fire Product Marketing Manager to join their team in the company HQ in Amityville, NY
3. a Software Quality Assurance Tester
Send a current resume and salary requirements in confidence to rbaker@napcosecurity.com
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Indianapolis, IN - Hoosier Security call 317-644-0570 or send resume to: armando@hoosiersecurity.com Actively seeking installation contractors and sales personnel experienced in alarm and digital CCTV.
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Eastpointe Michigan alarm company has an opening for an experienced alarm tech/installer, great salary, benefits, truck, medical. Call Hank Luks 586-772-6100 or email to www.controllor@aol.com
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San Antonio Texas based company is looking for experienced residential, commercial and fire alarm salesmen as well as experienced alarm installers. Submit resume via e-mail to Gmunford@saalarms.com Glenn Munford, President. Phone 210 342-3100 www.sanantoniosecurityalarms.com
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Washington DC area Home Automation company seeking experienced alarm technicians. Send resume with references and salary requirements to jobs@american-automation.com
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Western Suffolk alarm company looking for exp'd office help- exp in Microsoft office, downloading of alarm panel, inventory, collections, sales and general office help. Send resume to Jeanne@checkmatesecurity.com
631 669-3303 www.Checkmate Security
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Northern New Jersey Fire Protection Company is looking for an experienced Fire Alarm Technician, with at least 3 years’ experience. Send resume to laura@cityfire.com
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NJ Alarm Company (Bergen County), seeking a Central Station Operator for the 5pm – 12:00pm shift. Email resume and salary requirements to service@merchantsalarm.com . No phone calls please.
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California and Texas alarm company seeking Central Station Manager, Customer Service Manager, Operations Manager, Sprinkler Operations Manager, Service Manager, Project Manager, Service Technicians, Lenel Certified Technicians, Installers, Fire Testers, Reg 4 Fire Testers, Service Dispatchers, Central Station Dispatchers, and Sales Representatives in locations throughout California and Texas. email resume to bwatkins@ssdsystems.com
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Union, NJ alarm company looking for Service Technician, Installation Technician, and
Administrative Assistant. Send resume to humanresources@supremealarm.com
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Merger and Acquisitions
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NY - looking to purchase fire alarm subscriber accounts in New York metropolitan area. call Bob WIlliams at Briscoe Protective Systems Inc at 888 274 7263 ext 211 or email bobw@briscoeprotective.com All calls strictly confidential
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Southeast Arkansas. Security Integration co very lucrative agricultural vertical market, but having difficulty attracting and retaining installers to keep up with our workload. Primarily commercial/industrial integration but with approx. 240 monitored alarm accounts. Largely residential, upscale accounts with approx. 20% commercial accounts. Will consider either selling alarm accounts to focus on surveillance/access control or will consider selling all and work as regional sales manager for purchaser. Market has loads of potential. For confidentiality reasons, please contact me at my "other" email address hogshogshogs@att.net.
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Central Stations
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Nationwide Digital Monitoring - monitoring all of America UL Listed; NYC FD approved
800 221 0826 www.NationwideDigital.com Contact Alan Ankeles aankeles@NationwideDigital.com
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U.S.A. Central Station Alarm Corp - monitoring throughout the United States Bart Didden 877-872-1266
bdidden@usacentralstation.com www.usacentralstation.com
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United Certified Central Station Inc - monitoring the New York City metropolitan area. NYC Fire Dept approved and UL Listed. Dana Goffer 212 206 0900 x 301 http://www.weprotect.com/Monitoring%20station.html
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Counterforce Central Alarm Services Corp UL Listed NYC FD approved contact Phil Blair 718 575 3333 Phil@counterforcecentral.com http://counterforcecentral.com/services/index.htm
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Metrodial Central Station - FDNY Approved and UL Listed. Contact Andy Lowitt at 866-900-METRO or andy@metrodial.com www.metrodial.com
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COPS Monitoring: Nationwide Burglary, Fire, PERS, Video, & Critical Environmental monitoring from 5 central stations copsmonitoring.com http://copsmonitoring.com/lp/kk.html or call Betty at 800-367-2677 x 1256
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All American Monitoring – throughout USA. UL, Five Diamond, licensed LisaF@AllAmericanMonitoring.com or call 800 318 9486 x 212 www.AllAmericanMonitoring.com
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RESPONSE CENTER USA – Monitoring burglar and fire alarms. PERS (Medical Alarms) Specialists UL Listed.
contact JD Benfer 866-489-4105 jdbenfer@rc-usa.com www.rc-usa.com
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United Central Control, Inc. - UL Listed, 5 Diamond Certified, serving the entire USA - contact Kathryn Schultz - 866-907-4712 or kschultz@teamucc.com http://www.teamucc.com/
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AvantGuard Monitoring Centers : UL 2050 Listed, 5 Diamond, Fully Redundant Central Stations Specialize in PERS monitoring. Contact Troy Iverson 877-206-9141 www.agmonitoring.com
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Electronix Systems Central Station Alarms Inc., UL Listed, FDNY Approved
and Five Diamond Rated. Contact Jacqueline Jones
jackiej@electronixsystems.com (631) 271-4000 www.electronixsystems.com
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SentryNet monitoring nationwide, Canada and Mexico - UL and 2050 listed; FM Certified. Contact Kurt Erdman kerdman@sentrynet.com 800-932-3304 www.sentrynet.com
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Grand Central Station – monitoring of burglary, fire and video verification services throughout the United States. UL Listed Benny M. Martinez 800-230-1654x136 bmartinez@gcsmonitoring.com www.gcsmonitoring.com
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Security Response Center – alarm monitoring across Canada – ULC Listed
Beverley Champagne 888-346-6302 bchampagne@src.net http://src.net/
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Business Brokers / Consultants
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Ron Davis Davis Mergers and Acquisitions Group Inc rdavis@graybeardsrus.com Office 847 955 2345
Cell: 847 910 7716 www.graybeardsrus.com
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Mitch Reitman S.I.C. Consulting, Inc. Tax and Financial services 817-698-9999 MReitman@sicc.us www.sicc.us
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Rory Russell Acquisition & Funding Services www.afssmartfunding.com (800) 354-3863 Cell 518-366-5111
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Barry Epstein - Vertex Capital - representing Buyers and Sellers in Life Safety Industry. bepstein4@sbcglobal.net cell:972-740-2740
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Insurance brokers / insurance companies for alarm industry
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Alice Cornett Giacalone, Senior Vice President - selling alarm E&O throughout the United States
Central Insurance Agency, (800) 917-2542 aliceg@ciainsures.com www.ciainsures.com
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Ralph A.Costa - specializes in alarm insurance in New Jersey and other states 973 835 8444
ralph@burglaralarminsurance.com http://www.burglaralarminsurance.com/category.aspx?id=MISC1
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Security America Risk Retention Group Alarm industry owned and sponsored E&O insurance – Call SARRG at 1-866-315-3838, or info@securityamericarrg.com. www.securityamericarrg.com
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Premier Alarm Insurance, Kristin Sikorski, Isle of Palms SC 29451 1-800-792-1728
info@premieralarminsurance.com www.premieralarminsurance.com
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Rick Gombar Insurance Services, Inc. CA. Rick Gombar, President 800-446-6227
Rick@gombarinsurance.com www.gombarinsurance.com
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Eclipse Marketing & Insurance Services. Larry St John, CIC, Pres. 800-530-4448, LStJohn@eclipseinsurance.com - ins for alarm industry www.eclipseinsurance.com
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Financial Services
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Alarm Financial Services - funding for alarm dealers throughout the United States.
www.alarmfunding.com or call Jim Wooster 866-204-9350x12
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RMRFunding - Alarm account funding. www.rmrfunding.com Contact David Tropper (855) 767-1900 dtropper@rmrfunding.com
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Educational and Training Programs
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New York State alarm license Approved 81-HOUR License Course www.mbfaa.com
contact Alan Glasser (718) 894-6712 mbfaa.ny@gmail.com
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NYS 81 hour approved training - contact NYBFAA 814-838-3093 Info@NYBFA.org) www.NYBFA.org
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New Jersey Fire Alarm, Burglar Alarm & Locksmith training. Exam Prep Training Series, Practice Exam and approved CEU courses. see www.NJCEUcenter.com or call Bob Shoremount 908-637-8557
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Attrition Busters Presentations-Seminars-Workshops-Consulting www.attritionbusters.com
contact Bob Harris(818) 730-4690 bobh@attritionbusters.com
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Florida Alarm School. FASA and BASA classes. Mike Fletcher mfletcher@heeth.com 813 621 2333 www.floridaalarmschool.org. Upcoming classes Oct 24 - Pensacola - Renewal; Oct 25/26 - Pensacola - New Agent; Oct 29/30 - Tampa - New Agent; Nov 2 - Gainesville - Renewal; Nov 7 - Miami - Renewal; Nov 8/9 - Miami - New Agent
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Marketing for the Alarm - Security Industry
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Bob Maunsell - Security Marketing Guru - www.SecurityMarketingGuru.com 508-835-1123 support@securitymarketingguru.com
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Security Dealer Marketing - full-service marketing agency for security businesses David Morgan
888-572-4450 x100 dmorgan@securitydealermarketing.com www.securitydealermarketing.com
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Technical Support
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Fire Alarm System Engineering
Fire Alarm Design Services. Complete code consulting, basis for design reports, AutoCAD, submittal documents. PE and NICET IV on staff. NY, NJ, PA areas. Contact Joseph Hayes, SET 914-645-1289 or HayesCPP@optonline.net
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Systems Support Specialists - Technical consultants for Central Station Services & Installation Services, Custom Programming, End User Solutions, Product Evaluations, and Technical training - Contact Mark Fischer - mfischer@systemssupportspecialists.com or (631) 850-0084 www.systemssupportspecialists.com
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Miscellaneous
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Printers MonitoringContracts.com. Authorized printers for the Kirschenbaum Contracts TM. 866 322 4906 sales@MonitoringContracts.com www.monitoringcontracts.com
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alarm contracts - get them at www.alarmcontracts.com
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alarm company valuation - go to www.WhatsMyAlarmCompanyWorth.com
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Legal service for acquisition or sale of accounts. Contact Ken Kirschenbaum, Esq at 516 747 6700 ext 301, Jennifer Kirschenbaum,Esq at 516 747 6700 ext 302 or Dennis Stern, Esq at 516 747 6700 ext 323
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Ken Kirschenbaum,Esq
Kirschenbaum & Kirschenbaum PC
Attorneys at Law
200 Garden city Plaza
Garden City, NY 11530
516 747 6700 x 301
email: ken@kirschenbaumesq.com
phone: 516 747 6700
web: http://www.kirschenbaumesq.com