What you need to know before choosing Time Warner Security
Time Warner Cable has been in the telecommunications industry for years. It is the second largest cable company in the US. Now, this multi-functional business provides consumers with home security systems. You can select from a variety of smart security packages. Note – Time Warner is only available for a limited number of states. Upon signing up and moving to location not serviced by Time Warner you will pay a hefty cancellation fee.
If you are not interested in one of the five packages they offer, you can choose equipment to customize a security package that serves the needs of you and your family. The reviews for Time Warner home security are mixed, composed mostly of negative experiences. After reading the information below, you can decide for yourself if this alarm company can give you what you want.
Here is a quick look at the pros and cons of Time Warner Intelligent security
Pros
- Customers like the fact that they can choose what they want to protect specific areas of their homes.
- Basic to advanced home automation services although not recommended with them.
- Five-diamond rated monitoring center that delivers professional and courteous monitoring of your property.
- Smart device control where you can monitor your residence from your personal electronic devices.
- For customers that already use Time Warner for their cable service, you can add the home security option right on as a bundle package.
Tip: If you are not a current Time Warner customer, you may want to decide if bundling up your service with this home security business is worth the money, or if you should go with a separate provider.
They have also been around longer than other TV/cable companies that now provide home security options such as AT&T home security, DirecTV security system, and Xfinity Home security. However, like these cable/home security mix companies, you must be a customer of their other services and are not a standalone security company such as ADT security.
Cons
Some customers have complained that the information on the various bundle packages can be ambiguous. Time Warner offers home security at a reasonable monthly price. Nonetheless, you will be locked into a contract for 36+ months, along with signing up for Time Warner security service. Other difficulties Time Warner home security customers have experienced include:
- Cancelling a contract: expensive and problematic
- Slow internet speed for required service
- Promotional pricing
- Not available nationwide (problematic if moving out of state arises)
- Faulty equipment
- Unresponsive customer service
- Intelligent Home not functioning as advertised
Intelligent security prices
Starting costs: $99-249. For installation, activation and any other fee they can come up with, expect to pay $99-249 in starting costs. Depending on promotions certain things may be ‘free’, just make sure you know the contract terms you are agreeing too. If getting a ‘free installation’ you can expect a activation charge instead. The Protect America alarm system is the only one that has truly no hidden starting fees.
Monitoring fee: $39.99-79.99. Expect to pay around $49+/mo for the average package with mobile control and enough security system equipment to cover the average home. Their pricing may be promotional as well so keep a careful eye on your bank account if doing automatic draft to catch rising prices.
- Works with Alexa for voice control (Alexa device sold separately); Audio not supported
- Patented 100 percent Wire Free design for easy placement anywhere and field of view 110 degree
- Night vision cameras work even in the dark
Intelligent home security system overview
They have a wide array of equipment offered. You can start out with a basic and add more equipment on later with their a la carte approach. You can buy this equipment directly from their site at the following prices:
Security system equipment
Second siren (not needed) – $99/ea
Key remote – $39/ea
Extra keypad – $79/ea
Window / door sensor – $69/ea (pricey compared to Scout)
Motion detector – $99/ea
Glass break detector – $99/ea
Smoke detector – $99/ea
CO2 – $99/ea
Flood / water sensors – $59/ea
Intelligent home equipment
Thermostat – $125/ea
Lamp adapter – $49/ea
Appliance adapter – $49/ea
Indoor or outdoor security camera – $149/ea
Time Warner has a rich history in the TV and cable industry and they are pushing for the same now with home security. We typically don’t recommend companies who haven’t been around longer than 5 years, which their home security division hasn’t but as a company they have been around for over 40 years.
They are an accredited BBB company but lack a rating. Not a good sign, usually means the typical had to pull the score out and pay for accreditation.
Time Warner was founded in 1964 with their headquarters in Austin Texas.
Our conclusion
If you are a current Time Warner customer, then it makes sense to just add a home security package to your cable service. However, it does come with a costly price tag. The fact is that the equipment and services offered by Time Warner is in the same price range as most other security systems.
Moreover, some of these companies don’t require such a lengthy contract; a few don’t require a contract at all. If you desire a professionally-installed home security system, Time Warner is a feasible option. On the other hand, if you want an economical home security system, you might want to consider one of the many DIY, wireless home security systems in the market today.
Do you have any experience with Time Warner? Join the conversation or share below!
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Last update on 2025-12-29 at 17:53 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Cliff says
I am sorry but this company sucks. Their internet has to be the WORST I have ever had! I have more down time and issues than I have ever had my entire life. I pay for 50 mbps speeds and I am lucky if I get 3. This alone makes the security system (streaming of the app) very unreliable. Never again. Soon as my contract is up, I am done.
Wilson says
I don’t have any major complaints but I do have some minor ones. I was not a fan of their customer service at all. I was able to get out of my contract after a few months thankfully. A friend helped me find some loop holes. The people I spoke to about my issues with billing and such tried to rush me off the phone and they were not helpful.
Joann N. says
Time Warner is one of those home security companies where it depends on where you live. I have loved them and never had an issue with them at all but a cousin of mine who lives the state over could never reach them and had horrible service. I guess it comes down to a coin flip.
Mickey says
I have had nothing but issues here in PA. I feel like they have become a joke around here. I thought since I had the cable I may as well tack on the security package but it was a HUGE mistake. I ended up dropping them and their cable service and going with someone else.
Keith says
With Time Warner, you’ll have 18 months contract. Make sure they are not on auto-renewal because their customer service is not the best. Keep in mind that the security system is bundled with your internet service. You’ll have to terminate your contract if you want to switch to another internet service provider and the fee is quite hefty.
Tommy says
I had their cable for many years and decided to give their security a shot too. I feel like maybe 5 years ago it was when they started going down hill. I think they out source their customer care because no one I have spoken to could speak clear English which frustrates me. I ended up canceling both in 2015 and just now got away from them completely. It was a nightmare.
Chad says
I have been a TW customer for over 9 years. They have made a huge leap! Inter net is 300 mgs in some areas up to 500 which I’m in. They have there cable which is 89.00 with epix movies, on demand channels and 5.00 extra gets you all 9 HBO and HBO on demand , and Showtime and encore channels with it . I won’t use their security system. But as far as Customer service goes, they’ve always been great. Usually it’s the people who don’t pay or always need extensions along with I’m sure their cell phone companies utilities etc that complain about them being terrible meaning Cust Service cut off service due to too many bs stories.
Joe B. says
Like the adage goes, Jack of all trade, master of none. I’d rather place the security of my home on a home security firm that deals in solely security than one with too many pots cooking at the same time. Frontpoint remains my choice.
Charles says
I think time warner should just stick with their cable service, why are they even trying to branch off into security? Stick with what your good at.
Amanda says
Time Warner is not such bad company but the complaints are high, that’s what I heard. Either way I don’t trust them to call me quickly after a break-in happens. I can’t even rely on their other services or customer support so why would I trust them to protect my house?
None says
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Sage Bristol says
Time Warner seems to be having a hard time keeping up with the times. I don’t know why all of these TV providers feel like they have to offer home security systems now but that seems to be the trend. I like how you guys recommend going with a company who has some years of experience in the industry. Use Time Warner for TV or internet but not for your home security monitoring.
Greg Peralta says
Time Warner cable is bad enough, I don’t know why you would trust them to protect your house.
Jonathan Marines says
I’ve always heard horror stories of Time Warner Cable, but until now I was lucky enough to not have my name on the account.
Christophe Derlon says
I wasn’t even aware that Time Warner offered home security services. Seeing how I don’t trust them with my current services I doubt I will be one to test out their protective monitoring package.
Jonny Sacaro says
I have been working with Time Warner for more than a year. I haven’t seen benefits like this in years! This company is very focused on your success.
Jane says
Yeaaaa this is not true??
Kevin Daviaux says
DO NOT USE TIME WARNER… Their customer support doesn’t know anything about home security as they take calls for multiple services. As soon as I am done with my contract I am switching to someone more reliable.
Sebastien Epiphane says
They have stepped up their pricing to be competitive with everyone else. However, a good price doesn’t always equal a good product. When my alarm went off they didn’t even call me or the police. I called them asking about this and they made up some weird lie about the sensors not being installed right. Sounds like I have been paying over $50 a month for a product that can only make beeps when the time comes.
Carly Fox says
Time Warner is a great company. This site is cool because it walks you through deciding what will be the best home security company for you… keep up the good work.
Dave F. says
I like this. Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We have to verify this fact with the people of have actually used Timer Warner Security. It will be great to see the actual customers share their experience.
James says
Great review! I like that you clearly laid out both the pros and cons. I personally don’t hear much at all about Time Warner in my area. If this was a company you already used, it would make sense to add on the security option. However, I think it is definitely a downside that they lock you into such a lengthy contract. That would be a deterrent for me and a lot of other people too, I’m sure.