What Brinks Home Security Does

Brinks is a home security company that installs equipment in your house to monitor for break-ins, fire, and carbon monoxide. When a sensor detects a problem — a door or window opening, smoke, or dangerous gas levels — it sends a signal to Brinks' monitoring center. A person there checks what triggered the alarm and either contacts you or dispatches police and fire to your address, depending on what you chose when you set up the system.

The company has been in the security business since 1908, originally as an armored car service. Today it operates monitoring centers across the country and installs systems in homes and small businesses. You pay a monthly fee for the monitoring service, separate from any upfront cost for equipment and installation.

Key Takeaways

  • Brinks monitors your home 24/7 through sensors on doors, windows, and detectors for fire and carbon monoxide, and contacts you or emergency services when an alarm triggers.
  • You can control the system remotely through a mobile app, arming and disarming it from anywhere and viewing alerts in real time.
  • Monthly monitoring costs vary by plan and location, typically ranging from around $30 to $60 per month, with equipment costs separate.
  • Installation is usually done by a Brinks technician, though some newer systems allow self-installation if you prefer.
  • You can cancel the service, but most plans require a contract term — check the length and cancellation terms before signing.

How the Equipment Works

A Brinks system starts with a control panel, usually mounted near your main entry door. This is the hub that communicates with all the sensors and sends signals to the monitoring center. You arm and disarm it using a code, a keypad, or your phone.

Door and window sensors are small wireless devices that detect when they open. You place them on every entry point you want to monitor — typically all exterior doors and ground-floor windows. If a sensor detects motion or opening while the system is armed, it triggers an alarm.

Motion detectors sense movement inside your home. These are useful for detecting intruders after they enter, but you typically disable them when you are home and moving around, or place them only in rooms you do not use regularly.

Fire and carbon monoxide detectors work the same way as standalone versions but communicate with the control panel. When they detect smoke or dangerous gas levels, they alert the monitoring center just like a break-in would.

Monitoring and Response

When an alarm triggers, the signal reaches Brinks' monitoring center within seconds. A trained operator receives the alert and follows the response plan you set up during installation. If you have a break-in sensor triggered, they will typically call you first to verify it is a real emergency and not a false alarm.

If you confirm an intrusion or do not answer, the monitoring center dispatches local police to your address. For fire or carbon monoxide alarms, they dispatch fire and emergency services when ready without waiting for confirmation, since those situations require faster response.

You can also trigger an alarm manually using a panic button on your control panel or through the mobile app if you feel unsafe. The monitoring center will respond the same way they would to any other alarm.

Mobile App and Remote Control

Brinks provides a mobile app that lets you arm and disarm your system from anywhere, check the status of sensors, and receive real-time alerts when doors open or alarms trigger. You can also view a history of system activity — who disarmed it, when doors were opened, and when alarms occurred.

The app also lets you control smart home devices if you have integrated them with your Brinks system, such as smart locks or lights. This means you can unlock your front door remotely for a contractor or turn on lights to make it look like someone is home.

Push notifications alert you when ready when something happens, so you know right away if a door opens or an alarm triggers, even if you are at work or traveling.

Installation and Setup

Brinks offers two installation options. Professional installation means a Brinks technician comes to your home, assesses which doors and windows need sensors, mounts the equipment, and tests everything to make sure it works. This usually takes a few hours and is included in many plans at no extra cost.

Self-installation is available for some Brinks systems. You receive the equipment, mount the sensors yourself following instructions, and set up the system through the app. This takes less time but requires you to decide where sensors should go and may support they are placed correctly.

During setup, you will choose your monitoring plan, set your disarm code, decide how the monitoring center should respond to different types of alarms, and provide emergency contact information. You can change most of these settings later through the app or by calling Brinks customer service.

Cost and Contract Terms

Brinks charges separately for equipment and for monitoring. Equipment costs depend on how many sensors and detectors you need and whether you choose professional installation. The company offers different package levels, from basic door and window monitoring to systems that include motion detectors and smart home integration.

Monthly monitoring fees vary by plan and your location. Most plans cost between $30 and $60 per month, though exact pricing depends on what you choose to monitor and which features you add. Some plans include video monitoring if you add cameras.

Most Brinks plans require a contract, typically for 24, 36, or 60 months. If you cancel before the contract ends, you may owe an early termination fee. Before signing, ask Brinks what the contract length is, what the monthly cost is, and what the cancellation fee would be if you need to stop service early.

What Happens If You Move or Want to Cancel

If you move to a new home, you can transfer your Brinks system if the new home is in an area Brinks serves. You will need to have a technician reinstall the equipment at the new location. Some customers choose to cancel instead and start fresh with a new system at their new address.

To cancel service, contact Brinks customer service and request cancellation. If you are still under contract, ask what the early termination fee is. Once you cancel, the monitoring stops, but you can keep the equipment if you want — it just becomes a non-monitored system.

If you sell your home, the new owner can take over the monitoring service if they want, or you can cancel. Brinks does not automatically transfer service to a new owner, so you need to handle the cancellation yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if there is a false alarm?

If the monitoring center dispatches police and it turns out to be a false alarm, your local police department may charge you a false alarm fee. Brinks does not charge you, but the city or county where you live might. Most places allow a few false alarms per year before fees kick in, so contact your local police non-emergency line to find out your area's policy.

Does Brinks work if the internet goes down?

Yes. The control panel communicates with the monitoring center using a cellular connection, not your home internet. If your internet is down, the system still sends alerts to Brinks. However, you will not be able to use the mobile app to arm, disarm, or check your system until your internet is back up.

Can I use Brinks if I rent instead of own my home?

Yes, but you need permission from your landlord. Most landlords allow renters to install security systems as long as they are removed when you move out. Wireless systems like some Brinks options are easier to remove than hardwired ones. Check your lease and ask your landlord before ordering.

What if I forget my disarm code?

Call Brinks customer service and they can reset your code. You will need to verify your identity and account information. They can also send you a temporary code over the phone if you need to disarm the system right away.

Does Brinks offer video monitoring?

Yes, you can add security cameras to your Brinks system. These cameras record video and send alerts when they detect motion. Video footage is stored in the cloud and you can view it through the mobile app. Video monitoring is an add-on feature with its own monthly cost.