Home Security Inspections

The Homeowners Insurance Reduction Program is intended to help homeowners reduce their insurance premiums by qualifying for a Texas Home Security Credit.

Any homeowner may request a homeowners Security Credit Inspection of their residence by contacting the Bexar County Sheriff's Crime Prevention Unit. A Crime Prevention Specialist will perform a security evaluation. Home Inspection Request Form

Credits are available for new and existing homeowner policies. Depending upon your insurance carrier, the maximum credit allowed is 20%. If you qualify, you will receive a Premium Reduction Certificate renewable every three (3) years. There are two home credits that a homeowner can qualify for, a 5% credit and a 15% credit.

If you have any questions regarding home inspections please contact Crime Prevention Unit at 210-335-6492.

Qualifications for a 5% Credit

  1. The exterior doors of your home must be solid core doors which are 1-3/8" thick and must be secured by deadbolts with a 1" throw. Metal doors must be secured by deadbolt locks. If the door secured by the dead-bolt lock has breakable glass within 40 inches of the lock, the lock must be key-operated from both sides unless prohibited by the safety codes. deadbolt
  2. Garage doors must be equipped with key operated locking devices or an electric garage door opener that has a key operated locking device. garage door
  3. Double doors must meet the above specifications and must have the inactive door secured by a header and threshold bolts that penetrate metal strike plates. If there is glass located within 40" of the header and threshold bolts, the bolts must be flush-mounted in the edge of the door.
  4. Dutch doors must have concealed flush-bolt locking devices to interlock upper and lower halves and must be secured by a deadbolt lock. dutch doors
  5. Sliding glass doors must be secured by a secondary locking device to prevent lifting and prying. sliding doors
  6. Windows must be secured by a second auxiliary locking device. windows

Qualifications for a 15% Credit

  1. All exterior structure openings are contacted. Contacts are hidden devices that detect the opening of protected windows and doors. When the contact is broken a signal will be sent to the central monitored dispatch center.
    contact
  2. The alarm system includes an interior and exterior siren.
    alarm
  3. The homeowner must obtain a letter from the alarm company stating that all equipment is U.L. approved, monitored by a U.L. approved central station, and must be signed by a representative. The letter must state that sales, service, installation, and monitoring are done in compliance with the Private Security Agencies ACT Article 4413 (29bb) Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes, and addressed to the insured with the correct address of the residence stated on the letter.
  4. All requirements must be met prior to the time of inspection and the letter is made available for review by the Crime Prevention Specialist.