What is User Initiated Monitoring?
User Initiated Monitoring is a way for a user on a Standard Abode Plan to utilize the Professional Monitoring Services that Abode offers, without the requirement of having to subscribe to the Pro Plan.
It will allow the user to directly refer an alarm event through to the Monitoring Team. The monitoring center will notify the appropriate emergency services.
What does this cost?
This service is being offered to Standard Plan users free of charge as an additional service.
Ways to activate User Initiated Monitoring
Steps to activate User Initiated Monitoring (existing user on Standard plan):
After subscribing to the Standard plan, the user will have two methods to enable the feature.
1. From the Dashboard. The user will be presented with information about the feature and an option to “setup now”
2. Navigating to Settings > Account > Pro Monitoring.The user will be presented with information about the feature. They can then tap on “Continue to Setup”
Steps to activate User Initiated Monitoring iOS/Android (In-app purchase - new user):
1. Navigate to plans
2. Subscribe to the Standard Plan
3. After the Standard Plan purchase the User Initiated Professional Monitoring screen is presented
4. Tap “Continue to Setup” to begin
5. Agree to Terms and Conditions
6. Enter PIN code
7. Complete the steps to finish setting up plan features.
8. The app will reload and the user will be shown the dashboard
Steps to activate User Initiated Monitoring iOS/Android (existing user on standard plan):
1. Navigate to Professional Monitoring screen, either from the card on the dashboard, or navigate to Settings > Profile > Professional Monitoring
2. Tap Continue to Setup to begin
3. Agree to Terms and conditions
4. Enter PIN code
5. Setup complete
Using User Initiated Professional Monitoring
When enabled
In the event of an alarm being triggered by the system, when viewing the alarm screen there will be two options available to the user:
1. Escalate Alarm
2. Disable Alarm
If the user taps Escalate Alarm two new options will be presented:
1. Refer to monitoring center
2. Call 911
If the user taps “Refer to monitoring center” the user will be advised (via popup) explaining the monitoring center will contact the user, where they will be asked their alarm PIN.
If the user refers the alarm to the monitoring center, the message will change to confirm the center has been notified. The two buttons will update to:
1. Your Alarm PIN is 1234
2. Disable Alarm.
The user can tap on the PIN button to reveal some more detail.
This will show the message “your alarm pin is… … Your PIN is required by the monitoring center to verify your identity during an alarm”.
When disabled
In the event of an alarm being triggered by the system, when viewing the alarm screen the user will have the options:
1. Call 911
2. Disable Alarm
Tapping “call 911” will attempt to dial the number from the user’s phone app on their device.
If the user selects “Disable Alarm”, they will be prompted to confirm their choice. The alarm will be disabled.
Options available:
1. Media Access - Users will be able to disable or enable media access for professional monitoring. If this is disabled, Abode will not share any videos or images with the monitoring center for verification.
2. Disable Pro monitoring - If the user disables pro monitoring triggered alarms cannot be referred to the monitoring center.
Insurance Discounts
With user-initiated monitoring, you can access professional monitoring insurance discounts.
How To Get Insurance Discount
Once enrolled, step through our guided insurance discount discovery tool (click here to start) to see how much you are eligible to save on your homeowners or renters policy with user-initiated monitoring. Call your insurance agent to get your discount applied.
FAQ
What is the cost of User Initiated Monitoring?
There is no additional cost, self monitoring will be included as part of the standard plan
Can I activate User Initiated Monitoring at the time of an alarm?
No, If you attempt to activate monitoring while the alarm is active you will be stopped with a warning "not allowed during active alarm"
When do I get my Monitoring Code?
The Monitoring Code is created when you set up User Initiated Professional Monitoring. When an alarm is triggered and referred to the Monitoring Center, the code will appear on your screen. You will need to quote this code to the Monitoring Center for verification.
When will I require their Monitoring PIN code?
When attempting to modify the pro monitoring settings (prompted when you attempt to change a setting), subsequent changes while still on the same page will not prompt for the PIN
When contacted by the monitoring center to verify an active alarm.
Does this cost extra?
No, this feature is included with the Standard plan.
What’s the benefit of routing an alarm to the professional monitoring center compared to calling 911 myself?
One of the major benefits is the added insurance discount that having monitored security unlocks access to. Additionally, the monitoring center can handle the dispatch process quickly and efficiently, providing an extra layer of security and convenience.
What happens if I don’t answer the phone?
If the monitoring center calls and it goes unanswered, they will dispatch the police by default.
Why do I need a PIN and how do I set one up?
A PIN allows our monitoring center to verify that the alarm is being confirmed by an actual system user—not whoever may answer the phone at that moment. You’ll be prompted to set up your PIN when you enroll in user-initiated monitoring for the first time.
What happens if I want to disarm an alarm after sending it to the monitoring center?
Users can disable an alarm from the Abode app before the monitoring center calls. If you can’t disarm before they call, you can tell the monitoring center that it doesn’t require emergency service dispatch.