Home | Home Security | Can You Keep Your Home Security System When You Move?
Jun 01, 2023
5 min read
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Can You Keep Your Home Security System When You Move?
Whether you live in a house, condo, or apartment, moving happens. In most cases, you can take your home security system with you when you move. We dug into the moving policies of top home security systems to find out about contracts, moving fees, and whether or not you can take your equipment with you.
Here’s what you can expect if you’re a current customer of any of the ten home security companies listed below—or if you're making a final decision about a service provider.
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Here are the top security companies' moving policies:
Vivint
Frontpoint
SimpliSafe
Cove
ADT
Abode
Ring
ADT Self Setup
Wyze
Brinks
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Compare the moving policies of top home security systems
Brand | Are there any contract stipulations? | Do they charge moving fees? | Can I take my equipment with me? | When should I tell them I'm moving? | Learn more | Read review |
None | •$149 pro removal (optional) •$149 pro installation (required) Moving fees waived for military members | Can move: Free replacements: •Up to 4 entry sensors •Choice of smoke detector, motion detector, or glass break sensor | At least 2 weeks in advance | View Packages | Read review | |
None | No moving fees | Can move all equipment | Update address after reinstalling equipment | View Packages | Read review | |
None | No moving fees | Can move all equipment | Update address after reinstalling equipment | View Packages | Read review | |
Must have active contract for 24 months and sign new 36-month contract | $25 activation fee | No | At least 30 days in advance | View packages | Read review | |
None | No moving fees | Can move all equipment | Update address after reinstalling equipment | View packages | Read review | |
None | No moving fees | Can move all equipment | Update address after reinstalling equipment | View on Amazon | Read review | |
None | No moving fees | Can move all equipment | Update address after reinstalling equipment | View packages | Read review | |
None | No moving fees | Can move all equipment | Update address after reinstalling equipment | View Packages | Read review | |
None | No moving fees | Can move all equipment | Update address after reinstalling equipment | View Packages | Read review |
Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
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Vivint's moving policies
Best overall
Image: Vivint
Equipment policy: If you’re a current Vivint customer, the company will provide and install a “like for like” home security system in your new residence. Upgrades and replacement of some equipment will cost extra. To avoid equipment replacement charges, you can move some equipment (control panels and security cameras) on your own. Vivint provides a moving checklist to help you understand what equipment you should uninstall and bring with you.
Contract policy: After you’ve been a Vivint customer for a year, you can move without any fees as long as you sign a new monitoring contract. If you want to stick with your current contract, you can still move your home security system, but it’ll cost you a $99 move fee. All customers who move before reaching one year into their contract will be charged the $99 move fee.
Frontpoint's moving policies
High-end DIY
Image: Frontpoint
Equipment policy: Thanks to its DIY approach to home security, FrontPoint makes it simple to move equipment from one home to another. Because equipment is 100% wireless, it’s easy to take your home security system with you when you change your address.
Contract policy: Frontpoint prides itself on its “no hidden fees approach” to business. You are free to move your home security equipment without moving fees or changes to your current contract. Frontpoint even offers a free moving kit. Just call the customer support line to get a moving box and instructions to help you uninstall your equipment. When you’re settled in your new abode, simply call customer service to re-activate your security system.
SimpliSafe's moving policies
Reader favorite
Image: SimpliSafe
Equipment policy: SimpliSafe is one of the easiest home security companies to work with when it comes to moving to a new residence. This company offers wireless DIY home security solutions, which means moving your security system from one home or apartment to another is as simple as loading up the equipment and taking it with you.
Contract policy: SimpliSafe doesn’t require long-term agreements for its professional monitoring services—you can pay month to month. You also purchase your home security equipment outright, which means it’s yours to take with you when you move. But if you are moving with a SimpliSafe security system, don’t forget to update your contact information to avoid a disruption in your service.
Cove's moving policies
Best customer experience
Image: Cove
Equipment policy: Cove prides itself on being one of the easiest security systems to install yourself, and removing and reactivating Cove sensors is just as easy. You can take all Cove equipment with you when you move.
Contract policy: Cove is a no-contract home security company. All you need to do is contact customer service to update your address once you move.
ADT's moving policies
Most experienced
Image: ADT
Equipment policy: You can’t take your existing ADT security system with you. But you can ask ADT about relocation credits and discounts on a new home security system—as long as a few stipulations listed below are met.
Contract policy: ADT offers the Mover’s Package Guarantee to any current or previous customers who are in good standing with the company and have had active monitoring services for a period of at least 24 consecutive months. If you cancelled your ADT service, this offer is valid for two years after cancellation as long as your account was in good standing.
Abode's moving policies
Best DIY automation security system
Image: Abode
Equipment policy: Abode imposes no restrictions on moving its equipment. You're welcome to take everything with you to your new place.
Contract policy: Abode has no contracts and thus no contract policies. Just contact them to update your address so emergency responders go to the correct place if an alarm is triggered.
Ring's moving policies
Best outdoor cameras
Image: Ring
Equipment policy: All of your Ring equipment can go with you when you move. Just unplug it from the old residence and plug it in at the new.
Contract policy: Don't worry about any contract restrictions from this contract-free home security company. You don't even have to call customer service to change your address—change it in the app any time.
ADT Self Setup's moving policies
Best optional monitoring
Equipment policy: ADT Self Setup sells DIY wireless home security equipment that makes moving a breeze. Each component of your ADT Self Setup home security system is easy to uninstall and move to your new residence.
Contract policy: With ADT Self Setup, ADT does not require a long-term monitoring contract. The only task you need to add to your moving to-do list is contacting ADT to update your information to ensure monitoring services at your new place.
Wyze's moving policies
Best budget pick
Image: SafeWise
Equipment policy: Wyze is a DIY-friendly company with no moving restrictions. Take all of the equipment with you, free of charge.
Contract policy: Because Wyze customers pay on a month-to-month basis, there are no contract restrictions for moving a Wyze system.
Brinks' moving policies
Most safety sensor options
Image: Brinks
Equipment policy: This is another home security company that loves DIYers. Because you can install and uninstall your security equipment on your own, moving your security system isn’t a problem. You can take your existing equipment with you. But if you want to customize your system to your new home, give Brinks a call to find out about adding additional security cameras or window and door sensors.
Contract policy: Brinks lets you take your existing contract with you right along with your security equipment. This company doesn’t charge any moving fees, and your monthly rate will stay the same as long as you don't add more equipment.
Written by
Rebecca Edwards
Rebecca is the lead safety reporter and in-house expert for SafeWise.com. She has been a journalist and blogger for over 25 years, with a focus on home and community safety for the past decade. Rebecca spends dozens of hours every month poring over crime and safety reports and spotting trends. Her expertise is sought after by publications, broadcast journalists, non-profit organizations, podcasts, and more. You can find her expert advice and analysis in places like NPR, TechCrunch, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, The Miami Herald, HGTV, MSN, Reader's Digest, Real Simple, and an ever-growing library of podcast, radio and TV clips in the US and abroad.
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