Frontpoint FAQ

You’ll pay a little bit more for Frontpoint, but it’s at the top of its class for full-service DIY home security. Frontpoint’s advanced security system options set it apart from other simpler DIY options.

Below, we’ve answered frequently asked questions about Frontpoint to help you decide if it’s right for you. If you want to know what we think about this brand after years of testing, head over to our Frontpoint Home Security review. 

Having a smoke or CO alarm can help detect a dangerous or unsafe situation in your home, but it might not be enough. With Frontpoint’s complete home security system, the company will not only notify you when there’s a sign of danger in your home but also contact the authorities for you when the sensor is triggered. This can make a big difference if you find yourself in a situation where you’re trapped in a house fire and unable to call for help.

Power outages can happen at any time and for any reason. To protect against events like this, Frontpoint’s control panel comes with a 24-hour battery backup, so it will keep running even when the power is out. You’ll receive a notification 15 minutes after the power outage occurs as well as a notification once the power has been restored.

In the event of a power failure, the Frontpoint home security system will automatically use the backup battery that lasts 24 hours. If the power is out longer than 24 hours, all your settings will go back to normal when the control panel reboots—you won’t have to reprogram anything.

To answer this question, first it’s important to understand what “response time” means. Response time is a term that monitoring centers use to indicate how fast they can process alarm alerts. Basically, the faster the monitoring center can process the alarm and respond, the faster the police, fire department, or ambulance can arrive at your house.

Because Frontpoint is committed to providing the best customer service to its members, it works with Rapid Response, which it considers to be the best monitoring center in the US. But of course, even working with the best doesn’t guarantee a certain response time. The actual response time by authorities will depend on several factors such as how remote your location is and the county or city you live in.

Frontpoint has an advanced safety feature called Crash & Smash protection, which automatically notifies authorities if a burglar tries to destroy your control panel in an attempt to disarm the system. You also get live video streaming, HD and night vision capabilities, and energy management options.

Frontpoint offers one monitoring service, but there are options when it comes to your monthly cost. If you can pay more upfront (around $400) for your equipment, you can get monthly monitoring starting at $24.99. If you'd rather pay less out-of-pocket, (about $130) your monthly fee starts at $34.99.

Frontpoint monitoring comes with Crash & Smash protection, the mobile app, smart home compatibility, live video streaming, automated door locks, and energy management.

Learn more in our Frontpoint cost guide.

With Frontpoint, you can set up automatic payments using your bank account or credit card. Frontpoint also provides paperless billing.

Frontpoint has no hidden fees. In fact, the company prides itself on its transparent and straightforward communication. The company’s consultative approach is focused on helping you find the security system that fits your lifestyle with no upselling or high-pressure tactics.

It's easy to cancel Frontpoint. Call +1-877-602-5276 to speak to a Frontpoint representative about cancelling your contract.

Thankfully, there’s no fee if you cancel Frontpoint's professional monitoring plan. But Frontpoint does require you to pay off any equipment financing upon cancelation.

If you have a 36-month contract with Frontpoint, you'll need to pay 80% of the remaining cost when canceling. 

Frontpoint doesn’t offer any discounts when you move because the company doesn’t charge any equipment or reactivation fees.

Having a security system like Frontpoint can give you a discount on your homeowners insurance policy. And in some cases, the home insurer discounts can be 15% or higher. Basically, the more safety features your home has, the higher the discount you’ll receive. But, of course, this depends on your home insurance company.

Frontpoint does offer a certificate for you to show your home insurance company. Simply contact them by phone or email, and the customer support team will have a certificate sent to you.

Frontpoint has swapped mandatory contracts for a flexible new approach. If you don’t want to deal with a three-year contract, you can purchase the system up front and own the equipment contract-free.

But we found that the month-to-month option isn't available if you're buying online. Online purchases default to the contract option. Be sure to call Frontpoint to make sure you get the month-to-month option. 

Frontpoint’s equipment comes with a three-year warranty that covers everything. If you get a faulty device that isn’t working properly, simply let them know. First, they company’s support team will try and troubleshoot the problem, but if you’re still having issues, they’ll replace the equipment for free.

Frontpoint is a do-it-yourself (DIY) security solution, meaning there’s no professional installation option. Although the idea of doing it yourself might sound daunting, Frontpoint is easy to install.

Simply take the components out of the boxes, turn on the control panel, and place the sensor and devices in key areas around your home. There are no messy wires, and most components stick to the wall with adhesive.

The only thing to keep in mind is that all sensors must be within 100 feet of the control panel. Once you have your devices and sensors in place, simply activate the system to start securing your home.

Frontpoint’s referral program gives you one month of free monitoring for every friend you refer who purchases a security system.

Frontpoint uses Rapid Response as its monitoring center. Once an alarm is triggered, Rapid Response will receive a notification and contact you to verify that it’s not a false alarm. From there, they’ll notify authorities that you need help.

In the event of an emergency, it’s always advised to call 911 first. And while you contact authorities, your security system will do the same. However, if you’re in a situation where it is unsafe to call, rest assured that once the alarm is triggered, help is on the way.

All of Frontpoint’s plans come with 24/7 monitoring. That means regardless if it’s a gas leak, fire hazard, or break-in, if a sensor is tripped, authorities will be dispatched.

Frontpoint uses Rapid Response as its monitoring center. Rapid Response is known as one of the industry’s best monitoring centers, and it’s one of the companies selected to monitor commercial fire alarms in New York City—a very high standard of approval. And with multiple operational centers, they can handle a large volume of calls and respond to emergencies fast.

All Frontpoint security systems are professionally monitored. Not only will you know if you’re in imminent danger, but you’ll also have a team of people monitoring your home at all times. Frontpoint doesn't currently offer a self-monitoring option.

Frontpoint’s security system has three main parts:

1. Control panel: This is the center of your security system where you’ll arm and disarm your alarm. It’s responsible for sending alerts to the monitoring center, tracking sensor activity, and adjusting other settings depending on your plan.
2. Sensors: These are the devices you place around your house on windows and doors to detect danger and break-ins. Sensors can be triggered for a variety of reasons, from broken glass and movement to gas leaks and smoke. If a sensor is triggered, it will send an alert to the monitoring center.
3. Monitoring: Frontpoint’s plan comes with 24/7 monitoring. If a sensor is triggered and an alert comes in, the monitoring team will notify you and the authorities—ensuring you’re safe in the event of danger.

Here's more on how security systems work.

To further reduce false alarms, some jurisdictions have implemented an enhanced call verification process, where the monitoring centers verify an alarm by calling the user at two separate numbers before dispatching authorities.

If you have Frontpoint and accidentally set off a false alarm, they advise you to contact their monitoring station at 1-800-932-3822. When you call, you’ll be asked for your passcode to cancel the alarm.

For easy reference, each Frontpoint system comes with a fridge magnet that displays the alarm cancellation number and the main customer service line. 

By law, Frontpoint is required to call you at two separate numbers first before contacting authorities. If you don’t answer when they call, or if you answer and give them the wrong passcode, they’ll automatically notify the police.

Yes, Frontpoint works with your TV, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV to stream live video footage.

Frontpoint’s control panel is wirelessly connected to all the sensors in your home. If one of the sensors is triggered, you’ll hear a loud siren, letting you know something’s wrong.

In the event of an emergency, you’ll want an alarm system that’s easy for you and your kids to navigate. Frontpoint’s touchscreen control panel is as easy to install as it is to use. The panel has a simple interface with display icons that take you directly to the settings you want to adjust.

If your child has a smartphone, they can use the Frontpoint app to arm and disarm the system. You can even set as many passcodes as you think are needed to keep track of who’s coming in and out of your home.

Frontpoint always provides you with the newest equipment. There are no refurbished or old models sent to customers.

Frontpoint offers flexible payment options that let you choose whether to buy the equipment outright or over time. You can start with Frontpoint for no money down and slowly pay for the tech over monthly payments. Or you can buy it all at once and own the equipment, avoiding monthly equipment fees altogether.

When you purchase home security from Frontpoint, the equipment comes with a three-year warranty. If the equipment malfunctions during that time period, Frontpoint will help you troubleshoot the issue or replace the device. Once the three-year warranty lapses, Frontpoint is not liable for anything that goes wrong with the equipment.

Frontpoint includes batteries for its sensors and remotes. The control panel has a battery backup, but it plugs into the wall for everyday use.

We go into greater detail in our Frontpoint equipment guide, but here's a quick rundown of what you can get with Frontpoint.

Touchscreen control panel: Arm, disarm, get automatic updates, and more with one simple touch. This touchscreen control panel comes with dual-path technology, which means you’ll have both cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity for added redundancy.

It also comes with Z-Wave ready technology, letting you automate your home—from the thermostat to lights and locks. And with Crash & Smash protection, the monitoring center will still receive an alert in the event that the control panel is destroyed.

Control panel: This is the less expensive control panel option. Although it doesn’t have the fancy touchscreen features, this Frontpoint keypad does offer remote access and Crash & Smash protection.

Mobile app: The mobile app lets you arm and disarm your home from a phone or tablet. And if you leave the house without setting your alarm, Frontpoint will let you know. With the app, you can change settings from anywhere, check in on your loved ones with live video, and receive notifications.

Remotes: Frontpoint has two types of remotes: a keychain remote and a panic pendant. The keychain remote lets you easily arm and disarm your house with a click of a button, while the panic pendant gives an added layer of protection to customers who may have health or mobility difficulties.

Intrusion sensors: Put sensors in any area around your home to trigger an alarm if an intruder tries to break in. Frontpoint offers door and window sensors plus a garage door sensor, glass break sensor, motion sensor, and image sensor.

Environment sensors: Stay safe from potential danger with environmental sensors that protect against smoke, heat, water, and carbon monoxide.

Cameras: Keep an eye on things with a wireless indoor camera, outdoor camera, and doorbell camera. All of Frontpoint’s security cameras let you stream live video as well as record clips.

Home automation: Turn your home into a smart home with keypad door locks, smart lights, and intelligent thermostat controls. Frontpoint’s home automation capabilities put every aspect of your home right at your fingertips.

The Control Panel uses a DJW-1.2(6V1.2AH) battery that has up to 24-hour backup in case of a power outage. You can find a replacement for this battery online at Amazon.

The Sensors use two AA batteries. These batteries have an average AA-battery lifespan and are easy to find in any grocery store.

The Door and Window Sensors use a CR2032 lithium battery that lasts around five years.

The Remote Control uses a A23 12V battery that lasts five to eight years.

Frontpoint makes it easy to take your security system with you when you move. The security system is built with digital cellular radio in every device, so all you’ll need is one bar of coverage in the new location. Frontpoint uses AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon for coverage, which practically guarantees that you’ll have cellular signal anywhere you move. And unlike with other security systems, your term won’t start over when you move since there's no contract.

Unlike certain home security companies that use proprietary equipment, Frontpoint uses equipment from General Electric (GE) to monitor your home. Since Frontpoint doesn’t have its own hardware, it’s easy to transfer the equipment to another provider once your contract is up. Frontpoint also makes it simple to reactivate your service to a new location if you decide to move.

According to Frontpoint, you need upload speeds of between 1.5 and 2 Mbps per camera. So if you have four cameras, you need an upload speed of 6-8 Mbps—and that's on top of requirements for any other devices connected to your home network.

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Frontpoint uses Alarm.com as its mobile app provider. The mobile app allows you to arm and disarm your home, as well as set up a geo-service that tracks when you leave the house unarmed. Through the app, you can also control the lights, check if windows and doors are open, and get notified of a power outage.

You can even record the history of sensor events, giving you a full picture of when your family was in and out of the house throughout the week. You’ll also be able to watch a live stream from your mobile device of any cameras around your home and save clips to review in more detail.

Yes, Frontpoint has a mobile app that’s powered by Alarm.com. The app is available for iOS and Android devices.

You can use Frontpoint’s app with a smartphone or tablet for remote security access.

Zigbee and Z-Wave are radio frequencies used for home automation. Frontpoint integrates with Z-Wave devices to make your home smart—from your lights and locks to your thermostat. Because Z-Wave is low frequency, it communicates without interruption, as opposed to more crowded frequencies like Wi-Fi.

And since GE, the manufacturer of Frontpoint’s products, is a part of the Z-Wave Alliance, the technological connection is smooth. However, video monitoring is the one exception, as it requires a broadband connection.

You can sync your Frontpoint system with Z-Wave and Alarm.com equipment. And because Frontpoint uses GE’s equipment to monitor your home, once your contract is up, you can use the devices with another provider or for a different purpose.

Frontpoint's monitoring plan comes with options for smart home automation and video recording if you have compatible equipment.

However, if you have a specific need, you can easily customize your system. Simply call Frontpoint, and one of the company’s consultants will help you build the security system that makes sense for your needs.

Frontpoint is able to connect with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to automate your home. However, our research indicates that Frontpoint doesn’t integrate with Apple HomeKit.

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