When your policy comes up for renewal, your agent may ask about your security: alarms, cameras, locks, lighting. Some insurers care a great deal. Others barely look. Whatever your insurer thinks, one clear page of documentation helps. It shows you have a working system, makes a conversation with the agent faster and, if you ever file a claim, gives you a record of what existed before the loss. This guide explains what to put in that package, how to keep it current and what not to claim. It is written for homeowners, landlords and business owners in New York and New Jersey.
This is general information, not insurance or legal advice. I am not stating whether cameras will reduce your premium or what your policy requires. Ask your agent and read your policy.
1. The Short Version
| Item | What to include |
|---|---|
| System summary | Number of cameras, recorder, storage days, remote access. |
| Camera map | A floor plan or sketch with camera locations and views. |
| Photos | Each camera, the recorder and signs. |
| Proof of recording | A screenshot or short exported clip with date and time. |
| Maintenance log | Dates of checks, cleaning and repairs. |
| Invoices and warranties | Purchase and installer paperwork. |
| Policies | Retention, access and notice, if you have them. |
2. Why Bother
Insurers and brokers like specifics. "We have cameras" is vague. "Eight 4 MP cameras covering doors, register and stockroom, with 45 days of storage on a locked recorder and remote access for two managers" is concrete. After a loss, an adjuster wants to know what was in place. If you can hand over a clean file, you show that you took care and that the footage is reliable. It also helps you notice gaps, which is its own benefit.
3. Ask Your Agent First
Before you assemble anything, ask your agent or broker:
- Does the insurer consider cameras or alarms in pricing or eligibility?
- Are there specific requirements, such as certain coverage areas, retention or a monitoring arrangement?
- What form should the documentation take?
- Is there a discount, and what proof does it need?
- Does the insurer have rules about who may install or service the system?
Write down the answers and the date. I am not going to guess what any insurer requires. Requirements and discounts vary widely, and some insurers offer none.
4. The One-Page Summary
Create a simple document with:
- Property address and type.
- Number and type of cameras, including indoor and outdoor.
- Resolution and notable features, such as night vision or plate capture.
- Recorder model, location and security. For example, locked closet.
- Storage and retention. Number of days.
- Remote viewing. Who has access and how it is secured.
- Install date and installer.
- Signs posted.
- Maintenance schedule.
- Related security measures, such as locks, lighting and access control.
Keep it to one page. Attach details if requested.
5. The Camera Map
Draw a sketch of the property with each camera labeled and arrows showing what it covers. Number the cameras to match the recorder's names. For a business, do one sketch per floor. For a home, front, back and sides. A hand-drawn map is fine. This helps an adjuster understand your coverage and helps you discover blind spots.
6. Photos
Take clear photos of:
- Each camera in place.
- The recorder and its rack or cabinet.
- Signs at entrances.
- The locked door or cabinet protecting the recorder.
- A screenshot of each camera's live view.
Date the files. Store copies in a cloud folder or on a drive that is not the recorder.
7. Proof That It Records
A system that is on is not necessarily a system that records. Show proof: export a short clip from a few days ago and note the date and time, or screenshot the playback timeline showing continuous recording. Then check the oldest available date to show your retention. Our guide on verifying your cameras are recording explains how. Check the recorder clock against a phone and note any difference. Our guide on timestamp accuracy explains why it matters.
8. Maintenance Log
Keep a log: date, who checked, what was checked and what was done. Monthly checks of recording and clock, quarterly access reviews and annual professional inspections are typical. A log shows the system is cared for. If a camera was offline for weeks without anyone noticing, insurers may be less impressed. Our monthly camera maintenance checklist gives you a template.
9. What Not to Claim
- Do not say the system is "monitored" if nobody watches it.
- Do not say cameras cover areas they do not.
- Do not overstate retention.
- Do not claim certifications you do not have.
- Do not list equipment you have removed.
Misstatements on an application can cause problems with coverage or a claim. Be accurate and update your agent when things change. If you are unsure how to describe something, ask the agent.
10. After a Loss
If you have a claim, preserve footage immediately, take photos of damage, file a police report where appropriate, and tell your insurer about the camera system and the footage. Give the adjuster the documentation package and export the relevant clips. Our guides on what to do after a break-in and on lawyer and insurer requests walk through the steps.
11. Keep It Current
Update the package whenever you add or remove cameras, change the recorder or change your retention. Put a calendar reminder to review it 60 days before renewal. Share updates with your agent. A current file is much more useful than a polished one that is three years out of date.
12. News Context
Insurers and owners both care about loss patterns. In September 2026, News 12 reported that NYPD sought two suspects in 19 commercial burglaries across 16 Brooklyn neighborhoods. In February 2026, NYPD released stills and video from a Staten Island doorstep to help identify three young men who tried to enter three homes overnight, according to CBS News New York. Reliable footage and good records make claims and investigations smoother.
NYPD reported burglary down 19.5% citywide in May 2026 compared with May 2025 (NYPD).
13. Costs
Documentation is mostly time. Planning ranges in 2026 for professional help: a system survey and written summary with camera map, $150 to $450; annual maintenance plan, $300 to $1,500; recorder upgrade for longer retention, $800 to $3,500; small business system with four to eight cameras, $1,800 to $6,800 installed; four-camera home system, $1,600 to $3,600. Insurance savings, if any, depend on the insurer. These are planning ranges, not quotes.
14. Questions to Ask Your Installer
- Can you provide an installation summary with camera locations and model numbers?
- Can you help me draw a camera map?
- Can you show me how to prove retention?
- Do you offer an annual maintenance visit with a written report?
- Can you provide invoices and warranty documents in one packet?
- Will you tell me when firmware or hardware needs to be updated?
See our local pages for commercial camera installation in Brooklyn, security camera installation in Nassau County, commercial installation in Newark and our services page.
Want a written system summary? Revolvis will walk the property with you and mark the spots.
15. A Sample One-Page Summary
"123 Main Street, retail, 1,800 sq ft. Six 4 MP cameras: front door (face level), register, aisle one, stockroom, back door and exterior sidewalk. Recorder in locked back closet. Forty-five days retention. Remote view for two managers with two-factor authentication. Installed March 2026. Signs at entrance. Monthly check, quarterly access review. Additional security: deadbolts, exterior lighting, and a keypad on the back door." Adapt the language to your property, and attach the camera map and photos.
16. When You Change Installers or Systems
If you replace a system or switch to a new service company, ask for a handover package that includes the equipment list, passwords transferred to you, network diagrams and warranty papers. Update your insurer with the new details and remove the old vendor's access. A gap in documentation during a changeover is a common reason owners cannot answer an adjuster's simplest question, which is what exactly was installed on the day of the loss.
More From Revolvis
Cameras are one layer of a secure property. The same in-house crew also handles the rest:
- Keyless entry installation and smart lock installation
- Access control systems and commercial access control
- Video doorbells and intercoms
- Alarm system installation
- Complete unified security
Learn more about Revolvis, meet the team, see all services, browse the blog or contact us.
Areas We Serve
Revolvis installs residential and commercial camera systems across the New York metro area. Every borough and county has its own building stock, rules and wiring challenges, so the plan for a Queens two-family is not the plan for a Manhattan co-op.
- Staten Island: houses, detached garages and shop fronts. See security camera installation in Staten Island.
- Brooklyn: brownstones, row houses and storefronts. See security camera installation in Brooklyn.
- Queens: attached brick homes, two-families and busy commercial strips. See security camera installation in Queens.
- The Bronx: pre-war buildings, bodegas and warehouses. See security camera installation in the Bronx.
- Manhattan: co-ops, condos, offices and retail. See security camera installation in Manhattan.
- Long Island: Nassau County and Suffolk County.
- New Jersey: Jersey City, Newark, Hoboken and nearby towns.
The full list is on the service areas page.
Get a Custom Quote After a Site Visit
Revolvis prices every job after a site visit, because the building sets the cost as much as the equipment does. A few things make the estimate faster and more accurate:
- The address and property type: house, apartment, co-op, condo, storefront or warehouse.
- Which doors, sides and areas you want covered, and what worries you most.
- Photos of those spots and any spots where you already have cabling or power.
- How many days of footage you want to keep and whether you want to watch on your phone.
- Any landlord, board, lender or insurer requirement.
Call 347-258-9165 or use the contact page to book a site visit. The quote you receive is written and itemized, so you can compare it line by line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will cameras lower my insurance premium? It depends on the insurer. Ask your agent whether cameras affect pricing and what proof is needed.
What should I give my insurer? A one-page system summary, a camera map, photos, proof of recording and a maintenance log.
How do I prove my cameras record? Export a clip from a few days ago and show playback timelines with date and time.
Should I say my system is monitored? Only if someone actually watches it. Otherwise say it is recorded.
What if I file a claim? Preserve the footage, take photos, report crimes to police and give your insurer the documentation.
How often should I update the file? Whenever the system changes, and review it before each renewal.
Ready for a custom quote? Call Revolvis at 347-258-9165 for a site visit and a written, itemized estimate.
Safety note: A camera system supports, but does not replace, good locks, lighting, alarms and everyday habits. If you are in danger or witnessing a crime, call 911. Prices and legal summaries in this guide are general information for the New York metro area, not an offer or legal advice. A written quote after a site visit governs your actual price, and for legal questions you should confirm with the agencies linked in the article or a licensed attorney.