Read this if you have a Security System at home ...

[vulcanman]

I have a contract with ADT to monitor my security system. While cleaning my files, I came upon the contract I had signed a month ago (most of us never read those fine print stuff ... especially when the guy is waiting across the table for you to finish signing the paperwork).

The following text is from the "Liabilities" section ...

6. NO LIABILITY; LIMITED LIABILITY. IT WILL BE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE THE ACTUAL DAMAGES THAT MAY RESULT FROM OUR FAILURE TO PERFORM OUR DUTIES UNDER THIS CONTRACT. YOU AGREE THAT WE AND OUR AGENTS, EMPLOYEES, SUBSIDIARIES, AFFILIATES AND PARENT COMPANIES ARE EXEMPT FROM LIABILITY FOR ANY LOSS, DAMAGE, INJURY OR OTHER CONSEQUENCE ARISING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FROM THE SERVICES (INCLUDING INTERNET/WEBSITE SERVICES) WE PERFORM OR THE SYSTEMS WE PROVIDE UNDER THIS CONTRACT. IF IT IS DETERMINED THAT WE OR ANY OF OUR AGENTS, EMPLOYEES, SUBSIDIARIES, AFFILIATES OR PARENT COMPANIES ARE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY SUCH LOSS, DAMAGE, INJURY OR OTHER CONSEQUENCE, YOU AGREE THAT DAMAGES SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE GREATER OF $500 OR 10% OF THE ANNUAL SERVICE CHARGE YOU PAY UNDER THIS CONTRACT. THESE AGREED UPON DAMAGES ARE NOT A PENALTY. THEY ARE YOUR SOLE REMEDY NO MATTER HOW THE LOSS, DAMAGE, INJURY OR OTHER CONSEQUENCE IS CAUSED, EVEN IF CAUSED BY OUR NEGLIGENCE, GROSS NEGLIGENCE, FAILURE TO PERFORM DUTIES UNDER THIS CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH ANY APPLICABLE LAW, OR OTHER FAULT. AT YOUR REQUEST, WE MAY ASSUME ADDITIONAL LIABILITY BY ATTACHING AN AMENDMENT TO THIS CONTRACT STATING THE EXTENT OF OUR ADDITIONAL LIABILITY AND THE ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU. YOU AGREE THAT WE ARE NOT AN INSURER EVEN IF WE ENTER INTO ANY SUCH AN AMENDMENT.

What the above tells me is, if the Central Monitoring station does not acknowledge a fire alarm ... and the entire house burns down ... ADT is liable only for $500 !

Its stunning that they can get away with it !

 

[Drako]

That's what fire insurance is for.

 

[vulcanman]

That's what fire insurance is for.

Using your analogy - why sue Toyota ... that's what life insurance is for !

 

[keird]

24/7 monitoring = we put it on the internet, which is monitored.

 

[Mark R]

Loads of companies like these watertight small print clauses - although in many cases, they aren't worth the paper they're printed on (as in a lot of cases, laws override the clauses).

For example, it may be the case, that if they are negligent, then they have breached the contract, and so they are liable and your claim is not limited by the small print.

However, in practice, you would need a lawyer who knows the law in your state and how it applies to such a contract, in order to know for sure. Because the issues are so complex, and the specialist advice needed is likely to be very expensive, the companies like this as it helps cut down frivolous claims.

 

[Aimster]

What if you are on the phone and your alarm goes off?
They won't know will they... I just realized this today

 

[keird]

What if you are on the phone and your alarm goes off?
They won't know will they... I just realized this today

Isn't a dedicated phone line recommended by security companies?

 

[Drako]

Using your analogy - why sue Toyota ... that's what life insurance is for !

Show me where I used an analogy.

 

[kranky]

I think a bigger issue is that most home security contracts have a 3-year commitment which you can't get out of even if you move, and a very small window of time at the expiration date to cancel before it auto-renews for another year.

 

[Aimster]

Isn't a dedicated phone line recommended by security companies?

Yes but if you're on the phone how will the system be able to dial out?

 

[boomerang]

I think a bigger issue is that most home security contracts have a 3-year commitment which you can't get out of even if you move, and a very small window of time at the expiration date to cancel before it auto-renews for another year.

Nah

Go with a small independent company. One year contract at an agreed upon price. In my case, $10.25 a month.

ADT, Broadview and the like are little more than predators.

OP, you sound like you're getting your first taste of how the real world works.

Outrage not found.

 

[boomerang]

Yes but if you're on the phone how will the system be able to dial out?

The alarm panel disconnects the phones in the house if the alarm goes off.

 

[pontifex]

Yes but if you're on the phone how will the system be able to dial out?

do you not understand what dedicated phone line means?

 

[BoomerD]

What if you are on the phone and your alarm goes off?
They won't know will they... I just realized this today

We have Monitronics...and a cellular back-up system. If the phone is out, or if I'm on the phone...the cell system takes over.

 

[MotF Bane]

That's what a shotgun and a dog are for.