Our Favorite Security System Contracts
Before you pull out your credit card or sign on the dotted line, it’s important to first understand what you’re getting into. Trust us, the last thing you want is to be buried in a 5-year contract with no way out. Thankfully, Frontpoint is reasonable in their terms — we recently tested a Frontpoint home security package and learned all about the contracts and new changes to their policy.
Frontpoint Equipment
In other words, we read the fine print so that you don’t have to (well, you should still read the fine print… but this will give you a solid head start). So hang tight, as we’re going to share everything you need to know about Frontpoint’s contracts and other policies right here in this guide.
Fast Facts on Frontpoint
- No installation fees (DIY)
- Price lock guarantee available
- 1-year and 3-year contracts
- Month-to-month contract option
- 30-day risk-free trial
- Two plans to choose from
- Prices start at $44.95 per month
How Long Are Frontpoint Contracts?
Frontpoint used to require 1-year and 3-year contracts. These contracts had you make monthly payments to cover the monitoring and equipment costs. Today Frontpoint offers two security plans which cost $44.99 per month and $49.99 per month on month-to-month contracts. We’re really liking the recent switch to no-contracts.
No Contract, Month-to-Month Service
So why the big switch to nix those long-term contracts? The reason is simple: Frontpoint wanted to compete in the DIY home security market. Unlike professionally installed, robust systems (think Vivint and ADT), we just don’t see DIY companies like SimpliSafe and Ring Alarm requiring customers to sign their life away. And since Frontpoint is a DIY system, they really had no business requiring long-term contracts like some of the bigger players.
Sure enough, customers complained and Frontpoint listened. And in early 2020 they made the switch away from contracts to fall in line with other brands in their category. As mentioned, we’re huge fans of this switch. In fact, the policy change to month-to-month service bumped Frontpoint up a few spots on our list of favorite home security systems. It’s kind of a big deal.
Of course, this doesn’t mean Frontpoint is perfect. We still have some minor gripes that we’ll share with you. And it’s important to note that you can still get on a contract or agreement if you want, which will actually reduce the cost of the equipment. In other words, Frontpoint incentivizes signing up longer term. But the choice is ultimately yours.
Frontpoint’s 30-Day Risk-Free Trial
We've found that almost every home security company offers a free trial. Sometimes it’s 60-days, like what SimpliSafe offers. Sometimes it’s 6-months, like ADT's industry-leading trial period (lots of fine print there). But most DIY brands go with a standard 30-day money-back guarantee. And that’s exactly what you get with Frontpoint.
Don’t like the system? Just send it back within that trial period for a full refund. Just remember that the clock starts ticking the moment the system arrives at your doorstep. We like how this free trial takes the “edge” off of a big purchase like a security system. That said, we’ve come to expect a free trial period, and we wouldn’t recommend purchasing a system without one!
FYI: Frontpoint offers a 30-day free trial. If you don’t love the system, you can send it back for a full refund. The folks at Frontpoint will even pay for the return shipping, so it’s no sweat off your back. This is a great policy, but it’s also becoming standard in the industry today.
Cancellation Policy with Frontpoint
We understand there are lots to consider before taking the plunge. So you’re probably wondering if you can cancel Frontpoint at any time without getting hammered by penalties. Well, you can. When we used the system, we simply paid by the month, which gave us the flexibility to drop our service almost on a dime. But bear in mind that Frontpoint requires a 30-day cancellation notice. They sent us an email to confirm our cancellation, which we filled out and sent back in. So the most you’ll ever be out is $49.99 when you cancel.
There’s a hidden benefit here. You see, if you pay for your equipment upfront, it’s yours to keep. So you can cancel your Frontpoint monitoring service and switch to a different monitoring company if it tickles your fancy. Companies with proprietary equipment — like Vivint for example — don't allow this. But since Frontpoint uses GE equipment, other companies can easily pick up your monitoring service (you might even save money this way!). So that’s definitely something to keep in mind.
>> Read more: Cancelling Your Home Security Contract
The Current Contract Conundrum
So what if you’re currently locked in with a Frontpoint contract? Can you switch to month-to-month and enjoy the flexibility? Unfortunately, you agreed to the terms and signed on the dotted line, so as far as we know, you’ll have to serve out the remainder of your sentence, er, contract. The no-contract option is only for new customers.
Free Version of Frontpoint
So we’ve established that you can sign a contract if you want to save some money upfront. We also talked about Frontpoint’s new month-to-month options. But is there a way you don’t have to sign up at all and sidestep that pesky monthly fee? The short answer is yes. This is called “self monitoring,” and as long as you own your Frontpoint equipment, you can self monitor your system for free.
FYI: If you're curious about security companies that offer security with no monthly fee, we've got that covered for you.
However, when your alarm goes off, it’s on you to call the police, as a self-monitored system isn't connected to a monitoring station. Also, you won’t have access to the Frontpoint app, so you can only arm and disarm your alarm using the Frontpoint control panel. If your alarm goes off and you’re out of town, you’re pretty much out of luck, as you won’t get mobile app notifications. That’s why we definitely recommend Frontpoint’s 24/7 professional monitoring.
Frontpoint Contract Perks
Price Lock Guarantee
Frontpoint is one of the few companies that still offer a price lock guarantee. Note that it’s only good for the contract-based plans, but we think it’s a great thing knowing that your monthly fee isn’t going to creep up year after year. As we understand it, their price lock guarantee isn’t offered with the month-to-month plans, which makes sense.
Frontpoint Yard Sign
Moving Day, Take It With You
Alright, let’s say you’re all packed up and ready to move to a different home in a different state. You’ll be glad to hear that Frontpoint offers a straightforward moving service. No, they won’t roll up their sleeves and move your grand piano for you; rather, their moving kit allows you to pack up your Frontpoint equipment and seamlessly change your monitoring address without missing a beat. This might not seem like a big deal, but you should know that some companies charge relocation and re-activation fees. Not Frontpoint!
Environmental Monitoring Included
We’ve tested plenty of home security systems over the last decade. And we’ve found that some brands either a) charge extra for environmental monitoring, or b) make you sign up with their top-tier plan to get it. With this in mind, Frontpoint’s cheapest plan includes monitoring for environmental hazards such as carbon monoxide, smoke, fire, flood, and freeze. You will, however, need to buy these sensors separately.
No Hidden Fees
Thankfully, like other do-it-yourself home security systems, Frontpoint does not charge installation fees. But you will have to pay a one-time $49.99 activation fee when you place your order. We’d like to see Frontpoint do away with this fee. It seems a little unnecessary.
Other Frontpoint Terms of Service
- Here are a few terms that are important to remember:
- Some offers are subject to credit approval
- There may be a minimum hardware purchase of $69
- Select packages require a three-year Frontpoint monitoring agreement
- Lifetime equipment warranty with a three-year contract only
- The Frontpoint monitoring service is powered by Alarm.com
The Finer Print
Whether you choose Frontpoint or another home security company, you should know about a few finer points when looking at the contract.
First, note that all security companies include what is called “exculpatory” language in their contracts. That’s just a big word for saying that you’re buying an alarm system, not an insurance policy. This essentially exonerates the brand for any losses that you might incur if your home is ever burglarized. Pretty standard.
Pro Tip: If you already have homeowners insurance, you might be eligible for up to a 20% discount if you can show your insurance company that you have Frontpoint security installed. It’s a nice benefit that not a lot of people know about.
You’ll also find “limitation of liability” in your Frontpoint contract. This puts a cap on the amount they will pay to help cover any losses should you become a victim to a break-in. But don’t get your hopes up, it’s usually around $500. That’s why we always recommend having some type of renters or homeowners insurance.
Final Words on Frontpoint Contracts
Overall, we’re really liking the way that Frontpoint allows for flexibility when signing up. You can sign a 1-year or 3-year contract and get a discount on your security equipment (depending on the latest promotion), or you can go contract-free and pay month-to-month for 24/7 professional monitoring, home automation, and video support.
We like Frontpoint's terms and conditions, especially when compared to other DIY brands. We just wished they offered a 60-day money-back guarantee like other top-rated brands. But nevertheless, we think Frontpoint offers a whole lot of value, and you won’t have to sign your life away to get it. That’s why along with other top performers like Ring Alarm and SimpliSafe, Frontpoint consistently ranks well on our top 10 best security systems list.
