October 21, 2010
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Question:
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Hi Ken,
I recently purchased your standard monitoring contract, and have been using it faithfully. I do have one question on it - What value is typically placed in the section towards the top asking for the value of the installed software? I'm not sure what to put here. Do people typically put in the total price of monitoring for the term of the contract, or what? What is it is a takeover system, and I didn't install any of the original equipment? Any guidance here would be appreciated.
Also, can you tell me the difference between the standard monitoring contract and your commercial fire contract, and why the standard monitoring contract cannot be used on a commercial fire alarm system?
And finally, what topics are covered in the disclaimer document? Do you cover issues such as VoIP phone lines, phone lines being cut, etc, etc. Does it limit my liability on a takeover where I didn't install any of the equipment? If you wouldn't mind letting me know what topics you cover in that, it would help me make my decision on whether or not I need to buy it too.
Thanks!
T.J. Ogilvie
Director of Operations
Vantage Voltage, LLC
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Answer:
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The value of the installed software is recommended to be $400. Keep in mind that the value only comes into play if the subscriber defaults and you include that value in your damages.
The Standard Monitoring Contract is designed as a residential contract. As a residential contract it can be used for a commercial subscriber, although you are giving up some contract provisions in jurisdictions where certain provisions are prohibited in residential contracts. The Standard Monitoring Contract is for generic security alarm monitoring. The Fire Alarm Monitoring Contract is a commercial use contract and prepared specifically for commercial fire system monitoring. The Fire Alarm Monitoring contract will have reference to AHJ requirements and your compliance with those requirements. The bottom line, if you do commercial fire then you need the Fire Monitoring Contract unless you are a start up and get your commercial subscribers to sign the Fire All in One, the premier fire alarm contract we offer.
The Disclaimer Notice, receipt of which is acknowledged by the subscriber [it's not a contract] explains that there are lots of security equipment and services that the subscriber is not getting. It also warns against VoIP, still recommending POTS. It also disclaims liability for false alarm fines and permit fees. The Disclaimer Notice should be used on every new sale or contract signed. It can be sent out periodically to remind subscribers that you offer [or someone else does] other security services.
The Disclaimer Notice has nothing to do with your take over of other alarm company's accounts except that it will establish that you explained the limits of the subscriber's system and offered other services. You should get the Disclaimer Notice and use it.