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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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Heather
12/6/2017
We have been very dissatisfied and overpaying for Protect America services for over 2years now, because they locked us into a 3year contract (yes,... I said 3). Beware, we thought it was only 2year contract to begin with. We finally completed the 3 years with them and they are refusing to lower our service agreement amount (almost $85 and we don't have monitored cameras) so we are parting ways. I do have to say that their support team (installation and such)has always been helpful when we needed it, but the other people we have had to deal with have always been difficult. I do not recommend this company. Honestly, half the time I've wondered if someone actually broke into our... Read More

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Brian G
9/1/2017
I have had the worst experience with Protect America. Their customer service is absolutely TERRIBLE. I have been on hold with them for a total of 4 hours to make 1 simple change. When I finally decided to cancel, they still changed me for an extra month (even though I told them I wanted to cancel 45 days prior. They are a bunch of thieves and you should steer clear of them at all costs!!!

L
Lori
8/31/2017
Buyers beware!!!!! Do not sign up with this company if you do not read the fine print. My personal experience my horrible, i did not find the system user friendly at all, customer service is not available after hours if problems occur and they and will. The sensors are large and do not stay in place. They require you to sign a 3 year contract, and the person that called them is the only person that can cancel the contract and the hours of operation are very limited and you will be on hold for hours to cancel and you are still responsible for bills until you send a letter, wait on hold to talk with someone. Please do not sign with this company. Lori from wv

E
Erin
5/31/2017
Extremely nice installation reps. There is a 3 year contract (like all other top security companies)which they do inform you of upfront so no surprises. Lots of options for your home & add ons if needed. Great price for the quality, quantity, and safety of our family. Impressive BBB rating & review's.

J
JGrey
5/8/2017
Shifty customer service and management - expect to wait on hold up to an hour to speak with someone and hang up frustrated

G
gerard P
3/17/2017
I called up the customer service to terminate my subscription. I was put on hold for 47 minutes, and after that, all the customer representative gave me was an email address cancelrequest@protectamerica.com. I sent an email about a week ago, and have not received any acknowledgement. Upto now, I still receive bill and yet they are not helpful regarding my cancellation request.

David K
2/21/2017
Their customer service is the worst. I could not get any one to call me back. It seems like I was on hold forever, and when I left a message, no one followed up. There is much better companies to spend your money on for a home security system. I changed to a different company for exactly the same protection and saved over $30.00 a month with new equipment. Run away from them as fast as you can

Roberta S
1/13/2017
The equipment was substandard and service just as bad. We were locked into a contract and have just been biding my time to obtain an alarm system that actually worked and my family could feel safe with.

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Erin
1/10/2017
We have had Protect America for over 6 years and the service is extremely awesome. We had a problem with a sensor on a door and they express mailed us a new one. The customer service is very knowledgeable and will walk you through adding new sensors. Great company.

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Paul G
12/28/2016
Protect America would not answer my phone calls even though I'm a long time customer with them in motion sensors they sent me have been told to me that it takes them five minutes arm and the response time for their central station is one minute if you only knew what could happen in one minute you would rethink making this decision going with this company. Paul

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