Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker (CAIB) Two Practice Exam

Which of the following is a weakness of local alarms?

1. They only alert the homeowner

2. They are not weatherproof

3. They often rely on passers-by to report incidents

4. They can be monitored remotely

The correct answer is: They often rely on passers-by to report incidents

Local alarms are designed primarily to alert the property owner or occupants when an intrusion or event occurs within a specific area. However, a significant weakness of these systems is that they often depend on the immediate vicinity for a response, particularly relying on passers-by to take action, such as notifying authorities or taking steps to intervene. This dependency can be problematic, as it assumes that someone will be present and willing to respond to the alarm, which may not always be the case, especially in less populated areas or during off-hours. In contrast, options detailing remote monitoring and weatherproof capabilities indicate strengths rather than weaknesses of local alarm systems. While alerts being limited to the homeowner might seem like a limitation, it can also be viewed as a privacy feature, providing direct notification without alerting the entire neighborhood. Thus, the reliance on nearby individuals to act upon an alarm is a key vulnerability of local alarms, making it critical for homeowners to consider how effectively their chosen security measures can trigger timely assistance in case of an emergency.