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Protect America Home Security Review


ConsumersAdvocate.org Rating: 3.9 / 5 (Very good)
33 Customer Comments & Reviews - see all comments
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Protect America is a home security company that was founded in 1992 and has protected over half a million homes since its inception. The company offers self-installed, customizable home security systems with optional home automation. Protect Amerca's professional, 24/7 monitoring service can be connected via landline, broadband, or cellular network. Protect America has been featured on NPR, ABC, and the History Channel, among others.
 
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How is Protect America rated?

Breakdown

4.0/5
Equipment
4.0/5
Monitoring Options and Technology
4.5/5
Value
4.0/5
Contract Flexibility

Overall Rating: 3.9 / 5 (Very good)

Protect America has been providing excellent home security solutions for 20+ years, and features fees amongst the lowest in the industry. Their equipment is 100% wireless, and has a wide variety of options available, with customization and many additional features, such as home automation and life safety. Though their prices and packaging can be a touch more complicated than their competitors, their customer service representatives are available via phone and online chat, to help guide customers through the decision.

How does Protect America work?

Equipment - 4 / 5

Protect America's equipment offerings are seriously impressive. The most basic package includes a control panel, one motion detector, and three door/window sensors. As the price increases, so does the amount of equipment, with more sensors, cameras, life safety devices, and eventually home automation features. All of their packages are fully customizable, with high-quality hardware by 2Gig and GE. Though the equipment is self-installed, Protect America schedules it with the homeowner and walks them through every step. Great equipment, great service, great features.
Equipment Manufacturer
2Gig and GE
Ability to Reallocate System
Wireless Sensors
Control Panel
Event Triggered Siren/ Alarm

Security Monitors, Sensors, & Devices

Intrusion Protection

  • Door & Window Sensors
  • Garage Door Sensors
  • Glass Break Protection
  • Motion Sensors
  • Recessed Door Sensors

Environmental Protection

  • Carbon Monoxide
  • Flood
  • Temperature Change
  • Smoke

Surveillance

  • Indoor Cameras
  • Outdoor Cameras
  • Tilt & Pan Cameras
  • Live Surveillance
  • Event-triggered Surveillance

Life Safety

  • Panic Button
  • Medical Alert

Monitoring

Monitoring Options and Technology - 4 / 5

Protect America offers 24/7 professional monitoring from their three Criticom Monitoring Services call centers in Texas, via broadband, landline or cellular. Their highly-trained operators dispatch any necessary emergency personnel, and can also be contacted through two-way intercom on their control panel. Protect America can also monitor other pre-installed alarm systems. All in all, an above average monitoring package of services.
Monitoring Options
Professional Monitoring
Monitoring Technology
Cellular
Broadband
Landline
Number of Monitoring Centers
3
Monitoring Center Type
Owned
Professional Monitoring Services
24/7 Professional Monitoring
2-Way Intercom
Police Dispatch
Fire Department Dispatch
Medical Dispatch

How much does Protect America cost?

Contract Flexibility - 4 / 5

Protect America offers five different packages, with varying price points (beginning at $19.99 and getting pricey after that) and equipment combinations, but their most salient characteristic is their commitment to providing high-quality security for less than the competition. Contrary to other companies, rates are locked in for life. Contract length is a standard 36 months.
Monthly Fee (min)
$19.99
Monthly Fee (max)
$42.99
Number of Available Packages
5
Installation/ Activation Fee
$0.00
Equipment Starting Cost
$99.00
Contract Required
Minimum Contract Length
36 months
Cancellation Policy
Customers may cancel their Agreement by returning the Equipment within 30 days of the original shipment date. A restocking fee of $79 may be charged against the method of payment provided at the time of sale.
Warranty
Lifetime Equipment Warranty

Technology Integrations

Technology Integration - 4 / 5

Protect America can interface with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, IFTTT, Z-Wave, and ZigBee. They provide iOS and Android apps, which send email and text alerts, live surveillance feed for packages with cameras, and remote arm/disarm features. Their website allows homeowners to access their system, pay their bills, and troubleshooting.

Compatibility

Google Assistant
Amazon Alexa
Google Home
IFTTT
Z-Wave
ZigBee
Z-Wave Plus

Mobile Access & Alerts

  • iPhone App
  • Android App
  • Email & Text Alerts
  • Live Surveillance Feed
  • Remote Arm/Disarm

Home Automation

  • Lighting Control
  • Thermostat Control
  • Appliance Control
  • Electronic Door Locks
  • Event-triggered Automation
  • History Log
  • Unique User Codes

Protect America Reputation

Reputation - 3.5 / 5

Protect America is certified by the Underwriter's Laboratory, Electronic Security Association, and New York City Fire Department. Their copper alarm package has been named a Consumer’s Digest “Best Buy” for 5 years in a row.
Trust Pilot Rating
5.4 out of 5
BBB Rating
A
Number of BBB Positive Reviews
18
Number of BBB Neutral Reviews
3
Number of BBB Negative Reviews
108
Date Collected
2018-07-23
Year Founded
1992

Certifications & Associations

  • Underwriter's Laboratory (UL)
  • Electronic Security Association
  • Department of Defense
  • New York City Fire Department

Protect America Summary

In Conclusion

Protect America offers an excellent DIY home security and automation system with professional 24/7 monitoring. Customers can acquire most of the hardware for free, and the system is relatively easy to install and configure. It can be upgraded and moved without too much fuss. The control panel is easy to use and lets users control home automation devices such as the thermostat, door locks, and the home’s lights and appliances.

Protect America’s home security systems installed effortlessly. All sensors and devices are programmed before shipment so that customers can forgo this step.

Like most home security monitoring providers, Protect America customers must sign a three-year monitoring service agreement. However, the basic equipment is offered free of charge. The devices have a lifetime warranty, and in the event of a system or device malfunction, customer support can help users determine if a reset will solve the issue or if it needs to be replaced. If a replacement is needed, Protect America will ship the device immediately for the homeowner to install.

Protect America has certifications by the Underwriter's Laboratory, Electronic Security Association, and New York City Fire Department. Its compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, IFTTT, Z-Wave, and ZigBee, which makes it the choice for home automation enthusiasts. The Smart Connect app is highly rated and user-friendly. Homeowners can check their home, arm and disarm the system, and get alerts when something is not right. Additionally, users can control Z-Wave devices and watch their live-video feed from a WiFi connected camera.

Moreover, customers who want additional protection for elderly, disabled, or people with certain ailments can benefit from Protect America’s medical alert pendants and panic buttons that send an alert to a medical response team when activated.

Overall, customers are delighted with how easy it is to set up and install the system and comment on how knowledgeable and helpful sales representatives are. Another plus is the ability to customize their system to meet particular security needs. Keep in mind, however, that canceling the home monitoring agreement can take a bit of effort.

Contact & Additional Information

Homepage URL
http://www.protectamerica.com/
Company Phone
(877) 969-1862
Headquarters Address
3800 Quick Hill Rd, Austin, TX, 78728
Mailing Address
3800 Quick Hill Rd, Austin, TX, 78728

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33 Customer Comments & Reviews

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Jeff M
12/18/2019
Worst company ever! They were charging us, by the month. One day, the alarm went off and no one called to check. My wife called THEM and they told us they hadn't been monitoring our system for over a year. BUT, they had continued to charge us monthly fees. My wife and i were thoroughly disgusted. They never offered to refund the monies or even give us a discount. My wife asked to quit the service. They told her "no" because, although SHE is ON the contract, she wasn't the primary signer. I was in another country for 3 months. So, they managed to "steal" ANOTHER three months fees. I came home, called, and tried to cancel the service that they weren't providing anyway. They said they'd send... Read More

T
Tom f
9/21/2019
Protect America are Low life people, tried to cancel said just one extra month I have to pay. Then you ass holes sent me anther bill in the mail after I paid extra month. Will be sure to leave you ass holes , bad feed back rating where ever I can. Worse security company

T
Tim
8/2/2019
Worst company ever. We had a 3 year contract. This is year four and they are still charging us despite canceling the service.....but never mind the product has been disconnected from their center for OVER TWO YEARS and no one can explain why. Run from this company

william.r.davis
3/19/2019
Sales person was untruthful, I explain to the sales person,that I have been moving with work about every two year. I could not sign a three year contract. Sales convince me that ,if i moved that they would release me from the contract as long as I served two of the three years ,it would not be an issue . That was not the truth as I had to pay the additional year.Customer service department was very rude . Could not get any help on my finial bill for months ,as my job ask me to relocate and could not take the system with me. I would not recommend this company to any one.Protect America you guys have a lot of work to do here. Remember you can sell something to some one once or you can have a... Read More

D
Darnell
3/1/2019
I signed up to Protect America in Feb 2016. Everything was good and the customer service reps treated me kindly and decently, at the time. After a year went by, we felt like we didn't need the service anymore. I called in to see about possibly ending my contract early. The customer rep said that it's possible but I would have to pay 41.99 times the remaining months left. Which we couldn't do, so I decided that we will continue making the payments. Before the phone call was over the customer service rep said that what she could do is set my account to not go to a month to month contract. I accepted that and that ended the phone call. The following year we asked about leaving again, this... Read More

L
Leonard B
3/1/2019
I have protect America and one of the sensors gave a low battery signal alert. I contacted the company and they said just change the sensor batter. I changed the sensor battery but it wasn’t the battery it was the sensor that was bad. They agreed to send me anew sensor free of charge but they wanted to charge me for shipping a new sensor. I asked since they recommend the sensors to be changed every two years could they just ship me all new sensors then I wouldn’t have to pay for shipping each time a sensor goes out. They said no but after complaining and telling them I was going to cancel my service at the end of my three year agreement they waived the cost of shipping on the one sensor... Read More

Damon E
1/27/2019
Protect America is great. Customer service is very excellent. There monitor service is great as well. Been with them for 6years now. A+ in my book. Recommended all my family and friends as well.

C
Chuck H
1/18/2019
We had talked to these jerks over 2 years ago about their service, and it became evident after 3 discussions in about 7 days that they could not do what I needed regarding cameras. So I told them to cancel. This was within the 15 day cancelation period . They ignored my cancelation even though service was NEVER STARTED, and tried to lock me into a 3 yr. contract and started to bill me. When I refused to pay, they began to have several different people call to collect money I did not owe every few days. I finally filed complaints with BBB, AARP, and the Texas state Attorney Generals office, and they grudgingly stopped calling, and cancelled the debt that I never owed in the first place.... Read More

Jimmie E
9/16/2018
I have been a customer for just passed two years now and I have had no issue. Love this company!

J
Jose G
2/6/2018
THERE IS NOT A PERFECT ALARM SISTEM COMPANY I BEEN WITH THIS COMPANY FOR ABOUT 6 MONTH SO FAR SO GOOD NO COMPLAIN THE SERVICES IS VERY GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICES VERY PROFECTIONAL OVER ALL GOOD.This company Is the greatest company I have ever been with.These people know how to work and do their job right!I like the company I have right now.So that's what I think about them.Thank you Protect America Home Security!

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