Sound the Alarm: BT Announces Closure of its Redcare Alarm Transmission System (ATS)

BT has recently announced the closure of its BT Redcare ATS, leaving its customers in search of a new alarm solution before this considerable change takes effect on 1st August 2025.

As a condition of coverage, commercial and residential property insurance policyholders must have an approved alarm system in place and BT Redcare has been commonly used in the UK for over three decades. It has been the go-to alarm system for numerous policyholders, so this announcement has certainly caused a stir in the insurance world and could come with weighty implications.

Understanding the BT Redcare ATS Shutdown

BT Redcare uses telephone lines to send alarm signals directly from the property to BT’s alarm receiving centre (ARC). This allows for prompt action in case of a security threat or fire. Some other key features of BT Redcare ATS include:

• Dual Path Signalling: BT Redcare uses two paths to ensure the triggered alarm signal reaches the ARC. The secondary path is used as a backup if the primary path fails.
• Compliance: BT Redcare meets various insurance and regulatory requirements, making it a trusted choice for residential and commercial properties.
• 24/7 Monitoring: BT Redcare is monitored nonstop, ensuring high-security standards.
• Priority Fault Repair: This feature offers priority fault repair to ensure any issues are resolved quickly, reducing downtime of the alarm system.
• Tamper Detection: Advanced tamper detection is included in BT Redcare, notifying the ARC of any attempts to damage the alarm system, such as cutting telephone lines.

Why is BT shutting down its Redcare ATS then? The telecoms industry announced its plans to retire analogue telephone networks and these systems will no longer operate on the new fibre network.

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The Impact on Policyholders

The closure of BT Redcare ATS brings considerable challenges for policyholders; from security liabilities and compliance issues to financial and logistical burdens. However, it also provides an opportunity to upgrade to a modern-day security solution. Pre-emptive planning and well-timed action are key to alleviating the consequences and ensuring continuous protection

The most obvious impact on policyholders is the need to replace their security system from BT Redcare ATS with another trusted solution in a timely manner, ensuring no coverage gaps that leave properties vulnerable.

As of June 2024, AddSecure entered the alarm signalling market, through a new collaboration agreement with BT to continue its Redcare services. Existing customers of BT Redcare will have access to AddSecure's trusted services and migration expertise if they choose to continue their current security service through AddSecure. More details of this service agreement can be found here: https://www.addsecure.com/newsroom/addsecure-enters-the-uk-alarm-signalling-market-to-continue-bt-redcare-services/.

Alternative suggestions to consider:

• Signal Dynamics: https://signaldynamic.com/
• Banham Security: https://www.banham.co.uk/burglar-alarms/insurance-approved-alarm-systems/
• ADT: https://www.adt.co.uk/business-security/products/alarm-systems
• I2 Security & Fire Protection: https://i2security.co.uk/
• AMCO Security: https://www.alarm-monitoring.co.uk/

If policyholders don’t seek an alternative, they risk being non-compliant with their insurance policy, meaning any claims may be invalid and their policy void, defeating the whole point of insurance in the first place!

Whilst the advice to policyholders is to speak to their alarm providers as soon as possible, to explore compliant alternatives and ensure a seamless transition, we are urging our brokers to maintain proactive communication with their clients and support them with navigating these changes.

Please note that any dual-path alarm transmission system certified as meeting BSEN 50136-1:2012 and performing at DP3 will be accepted by Pen Underwriting as a like-for-like replacement.

If you would like some more support and guidance during this change, please reach out to our team: https://www.penunderwriting.co.uk/contacts