Property · Insurance Term
Central Station Alarm (Monitored Alarm)
Definition
A central station alarm is a burglar or fire alarm monitored around the clock by an outside monitoring company, which alerts police, fire or the owner when it is triggered. Insurers often give credit for it and may require it to be kept in service.
In Plain English
Local alarms only make noise at the property. Central station alarms send a signal to a monitoring center, which responds. Insurers view them as a stronger protection against theft and fire spreading undetected.
If you receive a credit for the alarm, your policy may include a protective safeguards endorsement. That endorsement can require the alarm to be working and to notify the insurer of outages; failure to comply can limit coverage for a related loss.
Alarms often work alongside an automatic sprinkler system with water flow monitoring, which alerts responders when sprinklers activate.
Not sure how your policy handles this? Have us review it, or get a quote.
Example
Hypothetical: a convenience store's policy requires a central station burglar alarm. The owner lets the monitoring contract lapse. A break-in follows, and the insurer reviews whether the protective safeguards endorsement limits coverage for the theft.
What to Watch For
- Keep monitoring contracts active and your certificates on file.
- Tell your insurer before changing or disconnecting the system.
- Read any protective safeguards endorsement and what it requires.
- Test the system regularly and keep records.
Last updated October 14, 2026 · Primesure editorial team · How We Write