What Sets Protect America Apart?
Protect America started providing home security to Americans over 25 years ago and has kept pace with the industry by offering DIY installation, mobile app access and zero upfront costs. But our Protect America review revealed that the company is still holding on to some old habits, such as mandatory 36-month contracts and landline connections (although it does offer cellular and broadband as well). Professional monitoring starts at $19.99 a month for a basic landline connection, and Protect America offers three different equipment package options: Copper, Silver and Platinum. To find out more about how Protect America stacks up against similar DIY home security providers, check out our top picks for the Best DIY Home Security Systems.
Protect America Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Price lock guarantee
- Guided DIY installation
- Z-wave panels for smart home integration
- No upfront costs
Cons:
- Higher fees for cellular connection
- Mobile app access only in higher-tier plans
- Minimum 3-year monitoring agreement
- Complicated cancellation process
Protect America: Our Recommended Pick for Best Value
Protect America’s pricing and warranties help the company to stand out among competitors. There are no upfront costs for equipment, yet when compared to other providers, the cost of professional monitoring runs a little on the expensive end. What makes Protect America a great provider for value is not having to pay anything upfront for equipment. Protect America is a good option for customers who are on a budget and don’t mind setting up their system themselves. Check out our Protect America Security review of these six categories below: price, stand-out features, equipment, installation and trial period.
Upfront cost/installation fees | $0 | $0 | $0 |
|---|---|---|---|
Starting price | $19.99/mo. | $37.99/mo. | $42.99/mo. |
Minimum contract length | 36 mos. | 36 mos. | 36 mos. |
Included equipment | 1 control panel, 3 door/window sensors, 1 motion detector | 1 control panel, 9 door/window sensors, 1 motion detector | 1 control panel, 14 door/window sensors, 1 motion detector |
Connection type | Landline; broadband and cellular cost extra | Landline; broadband and cellular cost extra | Landline; broadband and cellular cost extra |
Price
8 out of 10
Highlights
- Professional monitoring costs between $19.99/mo. – $54.99/mo., which is more on the expensive end compared to other providers
- The provider requires a 36-month contract, which is average compared to other providers
One of the most attractive factors about Protect America’s services is that there are no upfront costs. With Protect America, you’ll be required to enter into a 36-month contract, which is average compared to other competitors. Professional monitoring ranges from $19.99/mo. to $54.99/mo. based on the plan you choose. The price of professional monitoring is higher for a broadband or cellular connection when compared to other providers. There are three professional monitoring plans that you can choose from: the Landline Plan, Broadband Plan and Cellular Plan.
As far as security system packages, you can choose from three options: the Copper Package, Silver Package and Platinum Package. Each varies by the number of door/window sensors included. The range of sensors allows you to choose a package that will ensure you cover all entry points into your home.
The biggest downside with Protect America’s services is that a contract is required. You’ll have to be willing to commit to the provider’s services for at least three years.
Standout Features
8 out of 10
Highlights
- Smart home products and integration features
- Environmental monitoring devices help you stay safe and avoid damage to your home
- Motion sensors are designed to avoid detecting most pets under 40 pounds
One of the biggest stand-out features that Protect America offers is smart home integration and equipment. Enhance your home’s security by automating your locks, lights and more. If you’re not sure that you locked your door before leaving home, you can easily lock it while you’re gone using the Protect America mobile app. Contact a Protect America representative to learn more about accessing smart home features.
In addition to home automation features, Protect America also provides environmental monitoring devices that can help you stay safe and avoid damage to your home. You can get smoke and fire monitoring, carbon monoxide monitoring as well as water and flood monitoring. Carbon monoxide monitoring will help protect you and your family from harmful, odorless emissions while water and flood monitoring will let you know if leakage or dangerous conditions exist in your home.
Equipment
6 out of 10
Highlights
- Choose from three monitoring options: landline, broadband or cellular
Protect America also gives you the option to choose between a landline, broadband or cellular connection for your home. Many providers offer a cellular connection, but one of the nice things about having a landline option is that it allows homeowners without Internet access to have access to monitoring. This can be particularly helpful for elderly individuals.
It is important to know, however, that cellular monitoring is the most secure in the event of a power outage or in the event that an intruder cuts the phone line. We would recommend choosing a cellular monitoring connection if possible.
Installation
8 out of 10
Highlights
- DIY installation
- Save money by avoiding an installation fee
With Protect America’s DIY installation, you’ll have more freedom with equipment placement in your home. You can easily mount your equipment in the proper locations. One of the perks of self-installation is that you can avoid paying any installation fees as well as having to find a time that works best for a service technician to come out and set up your security system.
To help ensure that you set up your system properly, Protect America has an installation guide that you could reference. If you’d prefer a walkthrough, you can schedule an appointment online, and a specialist will step you through the process.
But, if you don’t feel confident with self-installation and would prefer a professional’s help, we recommend choosing a professionally installed security solution instead.
Trial Period
6 out of 10
Highlights
- Low Price Guarantee
- 15-day return policy for a full refund
- As long as you are a customer, you’ll have Protect America’s Free Lifetime Warranty for equipment replacement
Protect America offers customers a Low Price Guarantee, meaning that if you find lower pricing according to the company’s stipulations within 7 days of your purchase, then the company will match the price. In addition to this guarantee, you’ll also have 15 days to return your equipment for a full refund if you find that Protect America’s services are not a good fit for you. This is a shorter trial period than average, but at least it gives some flexibility.
And one last notable feature that the provider offers is a Free Lifetime Warranty for your equipment. As long as you are a customer, Protect America will send you replacement parts for defective equipment based on their stipulations. You’ll only have to cover the cost of shipping. The nice thing about this warranty is that it’s free.
Protect America Customer Service
While Protect America offers 24/7 monitoring of your security system, customer service hours at Protect America are limited to Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends. Online chat is available from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends. When it comes to customer service, Protect America security reviews are mixed. While many customers are happy with Protect America’s equipment operation and customer service during sales and setup, some are frustrated by long phone wait times when they need tech support for their system or want to cancel their service. Other complaints center on the company’s long-term contracts, stating that it’s difficult to get out of the agreement. We recommend thoroughly reading Protect America’s Terms and Conditions to ensure you know what you’re agreeing to before you sign the company’s three-year contract.
FAQs
No. Protect America does not offer professional installation, but it does have customer installation phone support.
No. Protect America requires you to sign a minimum 36-month professional monitoring agreement before you can install and use your home security system.
Yes. Protect America requires a minimum 36-month agreement for all new customers.
Protect America’s five redundant monitoring centers are a big plus compared to many other companies’ two or three, but its monthly fees are higher than DIY home security providers such as Cove and SimpliSafe.
Note: A recent business deal between Brinks and Protect America led to the sale of approximately 114,000 Protect America monitoring contracts to Brinks. This may affect Protect America’s customer service with regards to current customers, as a Brinks representative was quoted as saying, “The economic interests of the Company and the seller are aligned as both the Company and seller stand to benefit from Brinks Home Security’s award-winning and best-in-class customer service.”
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How We Based Our Provider Ratings
Price
Each provider’s score is based on the affordability of equipment and professional monitoring services. Providers whose pricing on these two factors are lower received a better score from us. We know a security system is an investment, but it shouldn’t break your budget.Stand-out Features
Each provider’s score is based on the innovative equipment offered like smart home products, smart home integration, security cameras, mobile apps and other features. Providers with more stand-out features receive a higher rating from us as we want you to have the best technology.Equipment
Each provider’s score is based on special qualities of the products offered like cellular monitoring, hazard monitoring as well as smart home products. Providers who offer optional equipment receive a higher score. We believe that holistic safety services are beneficial to our readers.Installation
Each provider’s score is based on clarity of how the home security system can be installed and access to support. Providers receive a higher score if the installation process is clear and customers have access to professional installation services or online guides.Trial Period
Each provider’s score is based on trial period, coverage and ease of service cancellation. Providers who offer a longer trial period, have great coverage terms and an easier cancellation process receive higher scores. Consumers should have enough time to test whether a home security system meets their needs and expectations.