Sometimes. Some insurers offer a discount for monitored alarms, and a few recognize cameras, smart locks or water sensors as part of a protective-devices credit, but many insurers give little or nothing for cameras alone, and the size of any discount varies by company, policy and home. Discounts are often modest, such as a small percentage of the premium, and they usually do not pay for a system on their own. The best way to know is to ask your insurer or broker directly and get the answer in writing.
This guide explains what insurers tend to look at, how to ask, what documentation helps and why cameras still matter even if the discount is small. It is general information, not insurance or legal advice. Policies and discounts vary and change.
1. The Short Version
| Question | General answer |
|---|---|
| Do all insurers discount cameras? | No. Practices vary. |
| Are monitored alarms more likely to earn a discount? | Often, yes. |
| How big are discounts? | Often small, and varying by insurer and policy. |
| Can I count on a discount to cover the cost? | Usually no. |
| Do cameras help with claims? | They can help document losses. |
| Should I tell my insurer? | Yes, to ask about credits and to keep records current. |
2. What Insurers Typically Care About
Insurers price risk. They tend to look at:
- Location and claims history in your area.
- Age and construction of the home.
- Roof, plumbing and electrical condition.
- Protective devices such as monitored burglar and fire alarms, deadbolts and smoke detectors.
- Water-leak detection and automatic shutoff devices.
- Your own claims history.
- Coverage amounts and deductibles.
Cameras may fall into a broader category of protective devices. Some insurers treat a monitored alarm as the main credit and cameras as a smaller factor.
3. How to Ask Your Insurer
- Call your agent or insurer, or read your policy documents.
- Ask: "Do you offer discounts for security cameras, smart locks, monitored alarms or water sensors?"
- Ask what documentation you need: an installer's invoice, a monitoring certificate, a photo or an inspection.
- Ask how much the discount would be and when it applies.
- Ask whether the discount applies only if the system is monitored.
- Ask whether there are conditions, such as a minimum number of devices.
- Get the answer in writing, by email if possible.
If you are shopping for coverage, compare quotes with and without devices.
4. What Documentation Helps
- A dated invoice from the installer describing the equipment.
- A monitoring contract or certificate, if the system is monitored.
- A list of devices with models and locations.
- Photos of installed equipment.
- A copy of any permit or registration, if your municipality requires one.
Keep these with your insurance records. Revolvis can provide an itemized invoice that supports your request.
5. Why a Discount Is Not the Main Reason to Install
Even if your insurer gives little or nothing, cameras can matter for other reasons.
Claim support. Video can help document a break-in, vandalism or vehicle damage, and can support a police report. It does not guarantee a claim will be approved or paid in full.
Deterrence. Visible cameras may discourage some intruders.
Package theft. Cameras and doorbells help document missing deliveries.
Peace of mind. Many people value being able to check on their home.
Evidence. Footage may help police.
News reports show how video is used. 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. The report did not say whether the suspects were identified or caught.
NYPD reported burglary down 19.5% and grand larceny down 12.4% citywide in May 2026 compared with May 2025 (NYPD). Individual homes still face risk, and every claim is handled under the terms of the individual policy.
6. When Cameras Can Cause Problems
Misstating your setup. If you tell an insurer you have a monitored alarm and you do not, that can cause trouble. Be accurate.
Not telling your insurer. If your policy requires you to report certain changes, check.
Privacy. Cameras that record places where people expect privacy can cause legal problems that no discount offsets.
Over-reliance. Cameras do not replace good locks, lighting and habits such as removing key fobs from near doors.
7. Renters, Condos and Co-ops
Renters insurance, condo (HO-6) and co-op policies are different from homeowners policies. Discounts and requirements vary. If you rent, ask your landlord about building rules and your insurer about devices in your unit. If you live in a condo or co-op, the building's master policy may have its own requirements for common areas.
8. Alarms, Water Sensors and Other Devices
If a discount is your goal, ask about all protective devices, not just cameras:
- Monitored burglar alarm.
- Monitored smoke and carbon monoxide detection.
- Water leak detectors and automatic shutoff valves.
- Deadbolts and reinforced doors.
- Smart locks.
- Sprinklers.
Some devices may do more for your premium than cameras. Water damage is a leading cause of homeowners claims, so a water sensor can be as valuable as a camera. See our guide on camera and alarm bundles for what a combined system costs.
9. Where to Find Official Information
The New York State Department of Financial Services provides consumer information on insurance at dfs.ny.gov. The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance provides similar resources at nj.gov/dobi. These sites can help you understand your rights, how to file complaints and how to compare coverage. They do not list every insurer's discounts, so ask your insurer directly.
10. Saving Money Overall
- Ask your insurer about all protective-device credits.
- Compare quotes from more than one insurer.
- Raise your deductible if you can afford it.
- Bundle policies if it truly saves money.
- Keep your claims record clean with good maintenance.
- Choose protection that fits your home, not just a discount.
Not sure what protection fits your home? Revolvis will walk the property with you and mark the spots.
11. Questions to Ask
- Do you offer discounts for cameras or monitored alarms?
- How much is the discount, and how is it applied?
- What documentation do you need?
- Does the system have to be monitored?
- Will you reduce my premium at renewal or immediately?
- Does this affect how claims are handled?
See our local pages for residential camera installation in Staten Island, Queens, Brooklyn and alarm system installation in Staten Island.
12. A Sample Conversation
A Queens homeowner installs four cameras and a monitored alarm for $4,600 and calls her insurer. The agent says the company offers a credit for a centrally monitored burglar alarm but not for cameras. She sends the monitoring certificate and the credit applies at renewal. Her annual savings are modest, and she doesn't expect the discount to pay for the system. She also learns the insurer recommends a water leak sensor, which she adds for under $150. The lesson is to ask what the insurer actually values and to document what you install.
13. Timing: When to Bring It Up
The best times to raise the subject are when you buy a policy, at renewal and right after you install new equipment. Some insurers apply credits only at the next renewal, so ask whether you need to send documents before a deadline. If you are shopping for a new policy, tell each insurer or broker about your devices up front, because the credit may be built into the quote. If your current insurer offers nothing, ask a broker whether other companies recognize protective devices. Keep a short file with your policy number, the date you called, who you spoke with and what they said, so any later disagreement can be settled quickly.
14. Realistic Expectations
Do not count on a discount to justify a purchase. Instead, buy security for the protection it gives and treat any discount as a bonus. If your insurer offers a clear, meaningful credit for a specific device, that may tip a close decision. If not, spend on what protects your home best. Review your coverage each year, and ask again if you add devices.
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
Do security cameras lower homeowners insurance in New York? Sometimes, but many insurers discount monitored alarms more than cameras. Ask your insurer.
How much is the discount? It varies by insurer and policy and is often modest.
Do I need a monitored alarm to get a discount? Often yes. Cameras alone may earn little or nothing.
Do cameras help with claims? They can help document a loss, but they do not guarantee payment.
Should I tell my insurer about my cameras? Yes. Ask about credits and any reporting requirements.
Where can I get official insurance information? The New York State Department of Financial Services and the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance publish consumer resources.
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.