Can an Alarm System Lower Your Home Insurance in Ontario?
Many Ontario insurers offer a lower premium for homes with a professionally monitored alarm. The discount is not automatic, though. Here is what insurers usually look for, how to prove you have it, and how to ask.
By Ilan Nahum , Blaze Alarms October 13, 2026 5 min read
- Many insurers offer a discount for a monitored alarm. The amount varies by insurer and policy.
- Most insurers want professional monitoring, not just a siren or a do-it-yourself camera.
- We give you an alarm certificate to send to your insurer as proof.
- You usually have to ask. Call your insurer or broker once the system is installed.
Why insurers care about alarms
Insurers price your policy on the risk of a claim. A monitored alarm lowers the chance of a large burglary claim, and monitored smoke and heat detectors can mean the fire department arrives sooner. Many insurers pass some of that lower risk back to you as a discount.
What insurers usually look for
Every insurer sets its own rules, but these are the questions they commonly ask:
- Is it professionally monitored? An alarm that only sounds a siren, or cameras you watch yourself, often do not qualify.
- Is the monitoring station ULC-listed? ULC is the Canadian standard for monitoring stations. Our station is ULC-listed.
- Does it cover burglary, fire or both? Some insurers offer more for a system that monitors both.
- Can you prove it? Usually with a certificate from your alarm company.
The alarm certificate
When we install and monitor your alarm, we provide an alarm certificate. It confirms your address, that the system is professionally monitored and what it covers. Send it to your insurer or broker and ask them to apply any discount you qualify for. Keep a copy with your policy documents.
We visit, look at your home, and give you a written quote. No pressure, no obligation.
How to ask for the discount
- Get your certificate We provide it after your system is installed and monitored.
- Call your insurer or broker Tell them you now have a professionally monitored alarm and ask what discount applies.
- Send the certificate By email or through your insurer's online account.
- Check your next renewal Make sure the discount shows up on your policy.
How much will I save?
It depends on your insurer, your policy and your home. Some insurers offer a noticeable discount for monitored burglary and fire protection, and some offer little or nothing. Your insurer or broker is the only one who can give you the exact number, so ask before you buy if the discount is a big part of your decision.
Even without a discount, the bigger value of a monitored alarm is avoiding a break-in or catching a fire early. A claim usually means a deductible, time and stress that a discount does not make up for.
Does it have to be monitored?
For most insurers, yes. A siren with nobody watching does not change much from their point of view. If you already have an alarm that is not monitored, it can usually be connected without replacing the system. See how switching works and what monitoring costs.
Frequently asked questions
How much of a discount do insurers give for an alarm?
It varies by insurer and policy, and some do not offer one. Ask your insurer or broker for the exact amount for your home.
Do security cameras lower home insurance?
Cameras on their own usually do not qualify, because nobody responds to them. Most discounts are for professionally monitored alarms. Some insurers may still ask about cameras, so mention them.
Do you provide an alarm certificate?
Yes. We provide a certificate for your insurer once your system is installed and monitored.
Does fire monitoring matter to insurers?
Often, yes. Some insurers offer more for a system that monitors smoke and heat detectors as well as burglary.
Ilan Nahum runs Blaze Alarms, a Toronto security company installing alarm systems and security cameras across the GTA since 1990. Rated stars from 178 Google reviews.
Blaze Alarms has protected Toronto and GTA homes since 1990. Tell us about your home and we will give you a clear written quote.