Cornershop Insurance and BT Redcare Alarm changes
Without an adequate alarm system in place, insurers may not offer terms or increase the premium significantly to reflect the extra risk they may be covering. Some insurers may give cover to the likes of a Convenience Store for example, but will remove theft cover or malicious damage cover, without an adequate alarm system in place.
This is why it is important that all business owners who currently use a BT Redcare Alarm System at their business or for their corner shop insurance, are fully aware of the impending changes, that are fast approaching in 2025.
How will this affect our Corner Shop Insurance Customers?
BT will be closing their Redcare operations with effect from 1 August 2025 (or earlier if the customers contract expires before then). Until then BT’s existing products will continue to be fully supported and operational. As such, businesses will need to move to another alarm-signalling provider, should they wish or need to maintain a remote monitoring capability (in line with any policy conditions). At the time of writing, we have less than 1 year before everyone using this alarm signalling system will have to decide what to do going forward.
If customers alter or amend the signalling of their existing intruder alarm or fire protection systems, solely due to the closure of BT Redcare operations, this will not NORMALLY be considered a breach of any condition in their Policy Wording provided that any replacement product is of an equivalent performance standard (or better) *. For avoidance of any doubt, we would ask that you contact us first, should you be considering making such a change to the signalling – we will contact the insurer on your behalf & obtain confirmation that your coverage will not be affected. It is important that you do contact us first as every insurer differs.
This approach applies to all customers who hold Property Insurance Centre Commercial Policies.
Key actions for Corner Shop Insurance Customers to take
Before 1 August 2025 (or earlier if their current service with BT Redcare is contractually due to expire), customers to remain with their corner shop insurance will need to move to another alarm signalling provider to maintain a remote monitoring capability. They are advised to liaise with their alarm maintenance company to ensure that any replacement product is of an equivalent (or better) performance than the product it’s replacing.
Whilst BT Redcare signalling is commonly associated with intruder alarm systems, customers will also need to think about other systems they may have which rely on it for the remote signalling of events. This could include fire alarms, fridge temperature alarms, sprinkler or other fire protection systems, water leak detection equipment, and hold-up systems.
If you require further information, please call us on 0800 085 3761
* Equivalent (or better) performance is considered to be an alarm transmission system (“signalling product”) which has the same (or more) number of alarm transmission paths as the signalling product it is replacing, and with a maximum fault reporting time on the primary path of no more than the signalling product it is replacing.
