Home security in DFW: What works, what's a waste of money, and what your insurance wants

After helping neighbors evaluate home security options, here's the honest breakdown.

Tier 1: High impact, low cost

• Deadbolts on every exterior door. Sounds basic. 30% of burglaries happen through unlocked doors. Source: FBI burglary statistics.
• Motion-sensor lights. $15-30 per light. Cover all entry points.
• Video doorbell. Ring, Blink, or Reolink. $50-150. Deters and documents.
• Smart locks. Know exactly when doors are opened. No hiding keys under mats.

Tier 2: Worth it for most

• Security cameras (exterior). Reolink 4-camera PoE kit: ~$300. Local storage, no subscription. Catches everything.
• Security system with monitoring. Ring Alarm, SimpliSafe, or ADT. $10-30/month. Insurance discount of 5-20% often offsets the cost.

Tier 3: Situational

• Safe room / gun safe. If you own firearms, Texas law doesn't require locked storage but negligent storage can create civil liability.
• Fence with locked gates. Especially in areas with alley access.

What's a waste:

• "Beware of Dog" signs without a dog (burglars check)
• Fake cameras (experienced burglars spot them instantly)
• Security system signs without an actual system (same issue)

Insurance note: Most Texas homeowners policies give a 5-20% discount for monitored alarm systems. Ask your insurer for the exact discount. It frequently pays for the monitoring cost.

Sources:

• FBI — Burglary statistics and entry point analysis
• Texas Department of Insurance — homeowner discount guidelines
• Consumer Reports — home security system rankings 2025

What's your setup? What worked?