301.519.9237 exdirector@nesaus.org

1.24.20 – KEN KIRSCHENBAUM, ESQ

“They should at least be liable for their own negligence”
Where have we heard that before?  I heard to twice just today from two different alarm companies – their subscribers were challenging contract provisions.  One comment came from an insurance company for the subscriber and other from a lawyer representing a bank subscriber.
At first blush it seems reasonable that everyone should be responsible for their own negligence.  But that simple concept is universally resisted by alarm companies, and for good reason.  In fact, the reason is so good, every court in every state accepts the premise that alarm companies can contract to exclude or limit their liability, even for their own negligence.
Certainly one justification for permitting alarm companies to escape liability for their own negligence is that alarm companies don’t calculate their charges based on the value of the property sought to be covered by the alarm system or services.  It makes no difference what the cost of the building is, or what the contents of the building are; could be dollar items or expensive jewelry or artwork. What does matter when figuring the cost to provide the alarm system and services is the extent of the installation and the services?  While there may be a correlation between the type of system installed and services provided with the value of a building or contents, that is really up to the subscriber who sets the budget for the alarm installation and services.  Even a commercial fire system, which mandated and governed by building code, is priced based on the number of components being installed, not the value of the building or contents.  We know who calculates their prices based on value of buildings and content, insurance companies.  Alarm companies are not insurance companies.
That must be news to insurance companies because insurance companies probably sue alarm companies more than subscribers do; they are looking to recoup their payments to their insureds under their subrogation rights.  The insurance company charged significantly more to indemnify the subscriber for loss, yet seeks to recover from the alarm company who charged a nominal amount to provide the alarm services based on what the subscriber was willing to pay.
Alarm companies don’t cause intrusions, burglaries and fires, and they don’t claim to offer a service that prevents any of those events.  In fact, a properly drafted alarm contract will make is crystal clear what the alarm company is willing to do, what’s its limitations are and what risks it’s not willing to take.
So what does it mean for an alarm company to be responsible for its own negligence?  Well, I routinely agree to modify the Exculpatory Clause to provide that the alarm company will be responsible for any damage it causes while on the subscriber’s premises.  That seems fair because it puts the alarm company on the same footing as other trades coming onto the subscriber’s premises to work.  But if the homeowner leaves the toaster oven on and it starts a fire, the alarm company should not have to restore the house or replace the Rembrandt painting that was hanging in the living room.  Same for intrusion.  The alarm company didn’t break in.  [if it did it will be liable].
A subscriber asks its insurance broker to look over the alarm contract.  Of course the broker is going to find objection.  The alarm contract shifts the risk of loss to the subscriber and the subscriber’s insurance carrier.  The broker is looking to shift it back to someone, anyone, else.
The bank attorney.  I just told the alarm company to ask the bank lawyer to read the bank’s safety deposit box contract.
You need to start with a proper alarm contract.  Then you need to respond to requested changes intelligently.  Reason and logic should prevail over your subscriber’s visceral response to the contract that “they need to be liable for their own negligence”.
No they don’t.  They don’t need to be liable for anything that we by agreement exclude, and for good reason.