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SUBSCRIBER DOESN'T WANT DISPATCH
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Ken,

    I received an email from a client with whom we have a properly executed Residential All-In-One.  Her email stemmed from the alarm being set off by a worker at the client's weekend home.  The monitoring station didn't reach the main house so they dispatched the police.  They then started on the call list and reached the homeowner (my client).  She got the password wrong and my center would not cancel the police dispatch even though she requested to do so. She is essentially asking me to not dispatch the police unless she "explicitly" gives permission to do so.  What if we can't reach her or anyone on the list?  Would I be open to liability if we don't dispatch?
    Why bother having the alarm system?
    Please do not publish my name if this hits the news feed.
anon
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RESPONSE
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    What liability will you have if you don't dispatch?  Plenty if you don't get these instructions in writing.  Even if you do, you're asking for trouble.  I know that many central stations pride themselves on providing customized services, but mistakes happen more frequently when operators are deviating from the standard procedures they are used to following.  Some instructions, like the one you've been asked to follow - not to dispatch unless told to by the subscriber - may go against the central station operator's instincts and good judgment.  If the operator dispatches and no emergency situation is found it might cost you that subscriber's business.  [that would not be a legitimate reason to get out of the Standard All in One].  
    While I can understand that subscribers may have different priorities and sensibilities, allowing subscribers to dictate alarm response policy for the central station is problematic.  If you do permit such instructions you need to get them in writing unless the subscriber's request increases security rather than diminishes the alarm service.  I am thinking about my home alarm.  My instructions to the central station cause the operators to deviate from policy, and they seem to get it right.  My instructions are dispatch, then call, so I don't get verification.  I am in a VIllage that doesn't issue false alarms, at least to me.  Sure I get them, too many as a matter of fact.  But I'd rather err on the side of more, not less, protection.
    If the account is worth your time then get the instructions in writing.  Be sure to get the Disclaimer Notice signed also, because this subscriber is definitely reducing her security services.
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CONTINUING INSURANCE IN A STOCK SALE
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Ken 
    You addressed continuing insurance in an asset purchase transaction on June 2, 2016.  What about in a stock sale?
anon
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RESPONSE
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    An alarm asset purchase deal involves an independent buyer purchasing the assets but not the liabilities of a seller, typically the subscriber contracts and accounts.  I discussed the issue of the seller continuing its insurance post closing in the June 2, 2016 article.
    A stock purchase deal is different.  The selling entity does not sell its assets.  Rather the owner of the entity, the stockholders in a corporation or the limited partners in an LLC sell their interests in the operating entity.  The entity has insurance - or should - and will continue that insurance when the new owners take possession and control.  I suppose the sellers of their interest would want the buyers to continue insurance coverage, at least until the sellers have been fully paid.  
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