For UK businesses, installing a security system is no longer just about protecting assets and staff, it’s also about compliance and insurance. Many insurers will only recognise policies if security systems are installed, certified, and maintained to industry standards, so in this article, we’ll explore all things security system certification and what insurers look for, as well as how to reduce your premiums and protect your business.
Certification provides independent proof that a security system has been installed, configured, and maintained to an agreed standard. It assures insurers that the system will perform reliably, minimising risk of loss or false claims.
In the UK, certification is typically provided by accredited third parties such as:
Certification confirms that your system installer follows strict protocols, from equipment specification to ongoing maintenance, and therefore the system can be a trusted, reliable means to protect a site and business.
Insurance providers often demand certified security systems to be installed, as they view uncertified or DIY systems as higher risk. Without certification, they cannot be confident that your business is adequately protected, which could result in increased security risks and in their eyes, likelihood of something going wrong. If you don’t have a certified security system, you may experience the following with your insurance provider:
Certified systems therefore provide assurance that deterrence, detection, and response measures are effective, reducing both risk and potential payouts for insurers.
Intruder alarms are often the first line of defence against burglary, and they prove effective too, with figures showing those without are three times more likely to be broken into, than if one were to be installed. Intruder alarms have also been shown as a great deterrent with criminals, with many criminals not targeting sites with a security alarm system installed.
Insurers typically look for the following for intruder alarms, to help them guarantee they are of a certain standard:
NSI Gold or SSAIB accreditation is the benchmark insurers trust, proving the alarm system is installed and maintained correctly.
CCTV systems are most effective when they meet strict performance and monitoring standards. Therefore you may find your insurer stipulates that your CCTV system:
Having the right or requested certification for your CCTV system reassures insurers that any footage will be admissible, reliable, and capable of supporting investigations.
Access control helps insurers evaluate how well a business manages entry to restricted areas. When an access control system has been awarded certification, it makes it easy for the insurer to know what standard the system is meeting. Many insurers will require the access control system to:
Certified access control demonstrates robust protection against internal theft, unauthorised access, and compliance breaches.
Certification isn’t a one-off exercise, it also includes maintenance and ongoing compliance. Insurers will therefore expect evidence that systems are:
Failure to maintain your certified systems could invalidate your insurance policy, even if the original installation met the required standards! It’s therefore important to know what ongoing actions need to be taken to ensure your insurance policy remains valid.
Insurers reward businesses that take risk seriously. Therefore by having certified security systems installed can:
Insurers may offer discounts and lower premium rates for accredited or certificated systems, as they are deemed lower risk.
Similar to the above, because they understand the standard and quality of your security system, it is perceived as a lower risk and therefore in the event of a claim, excess charges can be lower.
Insurers are also less likely to contest claims if certified systems were in place and functioning as the certification claimed they are of a high standard.
In short, certification pays for itself when it comes to security systems, by reducing insurance costs and protecting your policy. At BusinessWatch, all our security systems are certified and professionally accredited. We work with you to ensure your insurers requirements are met by providing:
With BusinessWatch, you’re not only protecting your premises, you’re protecting your insurance cover too.
Don’t let uncertified systems put your business or your insurance at risk. BusinessWatch specialises in NSI Gold-certified security systems that meet insurer expectations and keep your assets safe.
Get in touch with our team today on 0330 094 7404 to discuss a certified solution tailored to your business and your insurer’s requirements.
