Don't miss tomorrow's webinar:  Metrodial
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WEBINAR NOTICE:  The Central Station series  
Why you should use our central station
see schedule below for presentations
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Question:  no payment on fire alarm installation
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Ken
    I installed a Fire Alarm and even got the place open for business after final inspection. The system is only on Cellular, TG7, permitted by code. Problem is the cell goes down once a day once a week. I told the customer that I would move the Antenna outside. It's been 120 days and no payment. I've told him that I will not move it till I'm paid. No contract is involved at this time. When I go back I will have him sign one. My next move though is to call him and demand payment or I come down with the Police and remove my equipment. It's mine since I haven't received payment. Is this the way I should proceed? Thank you for your time. 
Russell H
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Answer
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    By all means bring the police.  That way they can be right there to arrest you when you try to steal your subscriber's fire alarm system.  What?  
    What makes you think you own that system after it's been installed?  You don't.  You can commence an action for breach of contract.  Since there's no written contract you will have to testify as to your version, which may be different that the subscriber's version.  Fortunately there shouldn't be too much issue regarding the equipment installed because you no doubt installed it pursuant to plans and specifications filed with the AHJ, who was also called in to do a final inspection.  I no doubt with tongue in cheek, because what I really think is that you didn't bother with the AHJ, just like you didn't bother with a contract.  Chances of getting a Fire All in One signed seems remote.  
    How should you handle this?  Go to subscriber hat in hand, agree to whatever it takes to get a proper contract signed and get yourself paid whatever the subscriber decides to pay you.  Next time, get a Fire All in One signed before you turn the first screw.
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who's your insurance carrier now
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Ken,
    In the last 35 years we have switched insurance carriers at least 6 times, including the fine companies you recommend. Even the good companies vary substantially when it comes to cost.     The question that comes to mind is what if I have a loss on a contract that I installed 20 years ago, do I need to know who the carrier was or have a copy of my contract with the carrier at the time? Will my current carrier cover losses on past installations if I don't recall who my carrier was at the time?
Leo
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Answer
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    Your current E&O policy is probably a claims made policy, which means the insurance coverage is for any claim made during the policy period.  Once the policy term is up you don't continue to have coverage for any claim that has not yet been made.  
    If your policy is occurence coverage then the policy covers a claim event during the policy period no matter when the claim is actually made.  Not likely you have this kind of policy.
    Your current carrier will cover the loss reported during your current policy period.  But be warned, if you have a carrier that would rather avoid covering you it's going to look very closely at your application for insurance.  You were required to disclose potential claims you knew about and if you didn't your carrier can disclaim coverage or defend under reservation of rights.  Ask your broker how many times you carrier has played that card.
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Follow up on Insurance carrier too risky from November 3 2014
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Ken,
    When alarm companies get a quote from SARRG through an independent agency, the agency gets a 10% commission rather than the usual 15 to 17%.  It's all about their pockets and not who is the best carrier who has their and the industry's interests at heart. 
If your agent places you with companies like The Hartford or Travelers among others, your supporting companies that are trying to invalidate the alarm contract that we rely on to remain in business. 
    Get a quote to today, it's free and you may save a lot of money. 
Bart A. Didden
Executive Claims Manager
Security America Risk Retention Group - SARRG
877-872-1266
bdidden@securityamericarrg.com 
www.securityamericarrg.com 
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                                          WEBINAR ANNOUNCEMENTS
                                             The Central Station Series
                                         Why you should use our central station
                                            Sign up for each presentation
Each Webinar will cover:

  • territory covered by cs 
  • types of alarms cs equipped to handle or specializes in 
  • description of cs facilities and equipment; redundancy of more than one location 
  • general policies on handling alarms 
  • what makes your cs stand apart from others 
  • pricing - why your cs charges what it does and special deals if any 
  • contracts the cs requires

                   Sign up for each presentation.  All Start at 12 noon EST to 1 PM
 
November 5, 2014 – Metrodial 

   https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5743009078427617281


 
November 6, 2014 - United Central Control  

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2612275062661797378



November 12, 2014 - Statewide Monitoring

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/339270067719231489


 
November 13, 2014 - Centra-Larm Monitoring
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3930780819384477185

 

November 20, 2014 - AvantGuard Monitoring
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2150841918496668162

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