More Than 8 in 10 Security Dealers Offer Services Beyond Monitoring: Parks

Eight-five percent of security dealers provide services beyond professional monitoring, including video verification, personal emergency response systems (PERS), cybersecurity and independent living services, reported Parks Associates Monday. As a result of the pandemic, more emphasis will be placed on PERS and independent living services, said analyst Brad Russell: “The devastating impact of COVID-19 in senior living facilities ensures that more seniors will want to stay in their homes or apartments and their families want to help that happen.” Do-it-yourself security systems benefited from stay-at-home trends, with 24% of consumers reporting in Q2 they completed a home improvement project during the pandemic. Surveys this year show a big jump in the percentage of DIY home security system purchases with professional monitoring, Russell said. Some 43% of traditional security dealers now offer DIY systems in addition to pro-installed ones. Pro-installed security systems dropped 25% since 2017, while sales of DIY systems jumped nearly 60% during the period. A quarter of dealers said they provided fee deferments or relief to customers during COVID-19.