Comcast Xfinity home security provides home automation and home security. Comcast Xfinity does not heavily advertise its home security products but rather seeks to upgrade its existing cable, telephone, and internet subscribers. Comcast Xfinity home security has been in business for over five years and has essayed to make its mark in the home security industry.
The GoodComcast Home Security offers you three options of home security from which to choose. The preferred and premier options are fairly similar.
Comcast Home Security (Xfinity)- The Preferred package | $39.95/mo comes with 1 Touch Screen Controller, 3 Door/Window Sensors, 1 Motion Detector, and 1 Wireless Keypad. You can add additional equipment at an additional cost, and it does live video if you purchase a camera, but does not offer video storage or alerts.
- The Premier package | $49.95/mo has everything within the basic package but includes 2 Indoor/Outdoor Cameras, 1 Thermostat, 2 Lighting/Appliance Controllers, and the ability to receive video alerts and store video data online.
Overall, Comcast Home Security is able to offer a formable solution with fairly similar equipment as most of the security companies out there. They have a recognizable brand, offer an equipment warranty, and have a large built-in base of support/installers nationwide.
The BadComcast Xfinity Home security does however have some drawbacks. Some would say their All-In-One approach would be a positive since you would be getting a bundled service wrapped up into one monthly bill. This…, can be a double edged sword. What happens when you want to switch internet providers? Keeping all of your services with one company can limit your ability to price shop other providers, especially since Comcast requires you to be an Xfinity internet customer in order to be eligible for their home security product. Comcast Xfinity Home Security is also pricy for adding-on components, and skimpy on the ones they include. Only 3 door/window sensors? How many houses do you know with only 2 doors and 1 window? There is a motion sensor, but that does not cover all access points to the home.
- Installation fees start at $99 (installation fees can be waived, but only if the installer agrees to do so)
- The “,bundle”, is aggressively pushed (to include Comcast Xfinity cable and Internet)
- Internet services + monitoring fees in some cases double the monthly cost of other security providers
- Many Comcast Xfinity installation complaints online
It’,s safe to say that we have some concerns with the Comcast Xfinity Home Security service. Here’,s why:
- They push their “,bundle”, services and lock you into a solid two year contract.
- Their customers aren’,t happy. They are experiencing problems with billing, installation, and customer service.
- For the service they are providing, it seems to be rather pricey. Our top recommended home security providers are charging half the monthly price that Comcast Xfinity is while also providing better customer service.
If you are an existing customer of Comcast Xfinity the pressing question is, “,Is it worth it to bundle the home security service into my existing contract or seek out a third-party home security provider?”, It is definitely convenient to bundle the home security service from Xfinity into your existing account, however, that convenience comes at a price. Xfinity home security equipment and monitoring services are more expensive than other third-party home security providers and provide less flexibility. We recommend researching other home security companies like our top recommended home security companies because of their flexible contracts, low prices, and great security packages.
Acceptance of this Agreement, Term. “The initial term of this Agreement (the “Initial Term”) shall begin on the date of your acceptance of this Agreement and shall end thirty-six (36) months from that date. THEREAFTER, THE TERM OF THIS AGREEMENT SHALL AUTOMATICALLY RENEW ON A MONTH-TO-MONTH BASIS UNTIL TERMINATED BY EITHER PARTY, unless you agree to an additional minimum term (collectively, with the Initial Term, the “Term”).”
Once the 36 month contract is completed the agreement will automatically renew on a month-to-month basis until the customer or Comcast ends the agreement.
TERMINATION FEE. “YOU AGREE THAT THE FEES DUE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT FOR THE INITIAL TERM ASSOCIATED WITH YOUR PRICING PLAN OR IDENTIFIED ON THE WORK ORDER ARE BASED ON YOUR AGREEMENT TO RECEIVE AND PAY FOR THE SERVICES FOR THE FULL INITIAL TERM. ACCORDINGLY, YOU AGREE THAT: IF YOU TERMINATE THIS AGREEMENT DURING ITS INITIAL TERM, YOU WILL PAY THE COMPANY AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO (A) $1320, LESS $120 FOR EACH PERIOD OF THREE (3) FULL CALENDAR MONTHS DURING WHICH YOU MAINTAINED SERVICE IF YOU HAVE SECURE 350 SERVICE, OR (B) $1100, LESS $100 FOR EACH PERIOD OF THREE (3) FULL CALENDAR MONTHS DURING WHICH YOU MAINTAINED SERVICE IF YOU HAVE SECURE 300 SERVICE. THIS AMOUNT IS A TERMINATION FEE AND IS AN AGREED UPON AMOUNT OF DAMAGES, NOT A PENALTY. YOUR FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A BROADBAND CONNECTION COMPATIBLE WITH THE SERVICES, AS DETERMINED BY COMPANY IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION, SHALL CONSTITUTE YOUR TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT, FOR WHICH YOU SHALL BE SUBJECT TO AN EARLY TERMINATION FEE.”
If at any time during the initial contract period the customer decides to terminate the agreement then they are required to pay the remaining balance in full. Also, if the customer does not or cannot maintain a broadband connection that is compatible with the security system then this will also constitute a termination of the agreement.
Installation. “You agree that any portion of the System sold or provided to you by the Company may include new or refurbished, equipment. Refurbished equipment sold or provided to you will be in “like-new” condition.”
Comcast can install used or refurbished equipment in the customers home.
Monitoring and other services “YOU HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT FOR A SEVEN (7) DAY PERIOD (OR SUCH LONGER PERIOD AS REQUIRED BY LAW), BEGINNING ON THE DATE OF THE INSTALLATION OF YOUR SYSTEM, EMERGENCY RESPONDERS WILL NOT BE CONTACTED ON INTRUSION ALARMS (“Familiarization Period”). You agree that Company has no obligation to, and will not, respond to intrusion signals from your home that are received at our alarm monitoring center. You also agree that during such period we have no obligation to, and will not, notify any authorities, you or your designated representative, or take any other action with regard to any intrusion alarm signal we receive, even if due to an actual emergency event.”
Why it’,s importantFor the first seven days after the installation date your system is essentially for decoration only. Comcast will not call you or emergency responders even in the case of a real emergency.
Section 5 Continuation“IF THE COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES, OR ANY OF ITS OR THEIR AGENTS, REPRESENTATIVES, SUPPLIERS, SERVICE PROVIDERS, CONTRACTORS OR SUBCONTRACTORS ARE FOUND LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE DUE TO ITS OR THEIR NEGLIGENCE OR THE FAILURE TO PERFORM ITS OR THEIR OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING INSTALLING, MONITORING, REPAIRING OR TAKING OVER THE SYSTEM, IN ANY RESPECT AT ALL, THE MAXIMUM LIABILITY (INCLUDING JOINT AND SEVERAL LIABILITY) WILL BE $250.00. THIS AMOUNT IS THE AGREED UPON DAMAGES, IS NOT A PENALTY AND SHALL BE CUSTOMER’S EXCLUSIVE REMEDY.”
If damage is done to your equipment or property due to their negligence and they are found liable for repayment the maximum they will pay is $250.
Section 9Changes to Service. Subject to applicable law, we have the right to change our Services, Company Equipment and rates or charges, at any time with or without notice. We also may rearrange, delete, add to, or otherwise change programming or features or offerings contained in the Services, including, but not limited to, content, functionality, hours of availability and customer equipment requirements. Notice of a change may be provided on your monthly bill, as a bill insert, e-mail, in a newspaper or other communication permitted under applicable law. If you find any material change in the Service(s), rates or charges, or the terms of this Agreement unacceptable, you have the right to cancel your Service(s) within thirty (30) days of receipt of notice of such change. However, if you continue to receive Service(s) after such thirty (30) day period, this will constitute your acceptance of the change.
Why it’,s importantLike many security companies, Comcast retains the right to change or alter any part of the contractual agreement at anytime. This includes changes to rates, changes, or features at any time without notice.
The GoodComcast offers four types of home security/automation packages which vary greatly between amount of equipment, costs, and installation options. Comcast does things a bit differently than most security companies in that they offer the option to buy the home automation features without buying the security package, usually, those two are bundled together. For example, some of their basic Home Control packages offer the customer an affordable way to install a video monitoring and energy saving system without having to purchase a security system. With this offer home owners have the option to install it themselves for free or pay Comcast a couple hundred bucks to install it professionally. Either way, these automation only systems come with some of the cheapest monthly rates on the market at around $15-$20.
The other option they provide is a full service home security package called “Home Security 300” or “Home Security 350” which not only comes with energy and video monitoring but home security protection as well. These options are not available for self-installation. For the top package, Home Security 350, it costs $399 for installation and $49.99 a month for three years. This package comes with the following:
- 1 touch screen controller
- 3 door or window sensors
- 1 motion sensor
- 1 wireless keypad
- 2 indoor/outdoor cameras
- 2 lighting controllers
- 1 thermostat or 1 additional indoor/outdoor camera
This is the most comparable package to similar offers from other companies and includes some features which no other companies offer, such as the option to get 3 cameras and in-person tutorials on how to customize and use the system.
The BadFor the price, Comcast’s top package does not provide nearly the amount of equipment and software that other companies do. For example, most companies include door monitoring, energy-saving light bulbs, free mobile apps, two-way voice, weather notifications, and extended service plans (warranty). Plus, the Comcast system costs more upfront and on a monthly basis than other companies’ systems that provide the same services. Another downside is that for some of the services they offer they require that you purchase additional equipment to even use the services. For example, in their details and restriction section they state, “Video, carbon monoxide, lighting and fire monitoring requires purchase of additional equipment.” Also, it states that their systems are not compatible with all smart phones and that their system must be connected to “compatible high speed internet service,” which most likely means Comcast internet. Therefore, it’s best to check to see if your smart phone and your home internet would work with their services before you sign anything.
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