BT Redcare – important update

Last year BT Redcare, the security and fire alarm signalling service, announced the closure of its operations with effect from 31st July 2025. This deadline has been extended until 15^th December 2025.

BT Redcare is a monitored alarm system which ensures that the appropriate services are notified in the event of an alarm being triggered.

AddSecure have taken on BT Redcare products, but only their next generation systems. 

Why is this important?

If having a central station alarm (either intruder or fire) is a condition of your home insurance policy, you could find yourself uninsured in the event of a theft or fire claim after that date.

Will all BT Redcare products be affected?

BT Redcare Advanced, Advanced Extra, Essential Extra, Essential, Essential IP and Ultimate will remain working under the AddSecure brand. Your alarm company should contact you about this.

Is the switch to digital only affecting BT Redcare products?

No, any alarm which relies on a landline for central service monitoring will be affected. This includes CSL/Dualcom alarms. It is estimated that 100,000 properties have these alarms. You may have a little longer to upgrade these systems, depending on when your telephone exchange switches to digital. You can check here: https://www.openreach.com/fibre-broadband/where-when-building-ultrafast-full-fibre-broadband

I’m unsure what communications signal my alarm uses, what should I do?

Contact your alarm company to check what alarm system you have in place. If it is a legacy BT Redcare system as noted above you will need work to your alarm panel, perhaps a simple switch of communications board to a different system. It may be more complicated for older systems.

Before changing your alarm signalling method, we recommend that you speak to your insurer or as you will need to make sure that your new alarm meets insurer requirements.

Will my alarm company get in touch with me?

If your alarm is using a landline for central service monitoring then your alarm company should have made contact and discussed switching your alarm to a digital signal. If you haven’t heard from your alarm company then we recommend you reach out them.

If your alarm company has recently updated your alarm, then please let your broker or insurer know. You will need to make sure that any communications unit replacement meets the terms of your insurance policy. 

How Howden can help

Before replacing your alarm, we recommend that you speak to a specialist broker like Howden. We’ll make sure that your new alarm meets insurer requirements and, as prevention is better than cure, can talk to you about your security arrangements, potential upgrades and, if appropriate, introduce you to our recommended security companies.

To speak to Howden about your insurance, please call 020 8256 4901 or email privateclients@howdeninsurance.co.uk