How can I tell if I live in a secured community?

What is a secured community?

Some home insurance providers offer a discount on your homeowners insurance If your home is in a secured community.

But before we get into details, first let’s establish what “counts” as a secured community for insurance purposes:

• Gated manned guard. Sometimes called a gated community, this is a residential area where all entrances to the community are gated and manned 100 percent of the time.
• Gated key card entry. All entrances to this type of community are gated and require key card or numerical code access.
• Community patrol. This is a residential community with a patrol guard stationed 24 hours a day.
• Single entry into the community. There is only one way in and one way out of this type of community. A cul de sac doesn’t count.

All these types of communities may qualify for a discount, but the more secure options often generate a higher discount. For reference, gated man guard and gated key card are the most secure. Community patrol and single entry are the second most secure.

How to verify that you live in a secured community

To get this discount, you'll likely have to prove your community is secured. Your insurance company can tell you specifically what it needs to apply the discount, but the list below gives  you a good idea of what to expect for a.

• Gated manned guard. Submit a letter from the community association that certifies all entrances to the community are gated and have passkey protection. An association cost schedule that shows the gate guard cost as a line item is also acceptable, as are photos of the guard at the gate.
• Gated key card entry. Submit a photo that shows the gate and the fact that you need a fob or a code to open the gate. A letter from the community association or website that certifies all entrances to the community are gated and have passkey protection is also acceptable.
• Community patrol. Submit a letter from the community association stating that there is a community patrol on site 24/7 and that names the patrol company used. Community website information highlighting the security service is also acceptable.
• Single entry into the community. Submit an aerial image showing that there is only one entry to the property.

Kin doesn't currently offer a secured community discount, but we do have others. Take a moment to see if you qualify for alarm discounts.