Alert1 – Unlimited Button Pushes and Talk Time
The last thing you want to have to worry about is how much it’s going to cost if you push your emergency button. That’s something you’ll never have to worry about with Alert1. They offer unlimited button pushes with all of their plans which means you can push your button in an emergency without having to worry about your bill going up.
Not only do they offer unlimited button pushes, they also offer unlimited talk time. A customer service representative will always stay on the phone with you in the event of an emergency, but it also means you can push the button at any time and for any reason. Even if you just want to have a quick conversation with someone, you can push the emergency button and you’ll never have to worry about being charged extra.
Shopping Experience8.5/10
One of the best things about Alert1 is the fact that their pricing is very transparent. You can quickly and easily compare prices on their website without having to call in and speak to someone directly if you don’t want to. However, it is important to be aware that although monthly prices are listed on the website, those prices are actually billed quarterly.
Finding the right system is important. Unfortunately, some medical alert system companies are more worried about their bottom line. That’s not the case at Alert 1. Instead of pressuring you into additional services and accessories you don’t need, Alert1 never uses high-pressure sales tactics. They listen to your concerns and only discuss options that are a good fit for your unique situation.
Alert1 also offers a 30-day money back guarantee, so if you change your mind, you can return the equipment without paying a single penny. However, this guarantee only applies to annual and semi-annual service plans.
Equipment & Setup8.5/10
Alert1’s in-home unit utilizes a landline or cellular service. All Home units come with your choice of a neck pendant or bracelet so you have access to an emergency button in every room in your home. The base unit on the traditional systems and some of the On-the-Go systems have a battery lives that range from 24 hours to 5 days, so it’s important you remember to charge the device as needed to ensure consistent protection.
Alert1 plans include:
- On-the-Go + Home Fall Detection: This is the most comprehensive solution. It includes a mobile GPS unit that functions as both the mobile and home unit, in addition to fall detection. However, the fall detection pendant must be worn separately.
- On-the-Go Fall Detection: Includes the GPS unit and fall detection only. It offers an all-in-one solution without the need for a separate emergency pendant. It offers a whopping five days of battery life between charges.
- On-the-Go: Includes the GPS unit only. It is highly water-resistant, so it can be used in the shower.
- Home Fall Detection: Your in-home solution with fall detection. Note that the base station only has a 400-foot range if you opt for fall detection.
- Home: This is the most affordable solution. It includes the in-home unit only. It features a larger 600-foot range.
There are also a number of other accessories that can be added to your plan that include:
- Wall mounted emergency buttons
- Medication reminder equipment
- Smoke detectors
- Lock boxes
- And more!
Unlike other medical alert systems, Alert1 wants you to be stylish. Wristbands come in multiple colors and decorative lanyards can be purchased to add a little pizazz to your outfit!
As with all medical alert systems, setup is fairly simple. The landline-based unit must plug into a telephone line as well as an outlet, while the cellular unit only needs to be plugged into an outlet.
Finding instructions on the website is easy. All you have to do is click on ‘Support’ in the upper right-hand corner of any page. Then you just click ‘Install My New Device’.
Both video and readable tutorials are available on the website for each of their individual systems. However, if you don’t want to use the internet when setting up your system, you can always use the directions that arrive with your unit. You can also give them a call and a customer service representative will help you get everything up and running.
Cost & Value9.0/10
Pricing is clear with all of the medical alert systems from Alert1. Their most affordable plan is the Home Medical Alert Device that costs just $19.95 a month, making it one of the most affordable options in the industry. With added fall protection, the cost is just $30.95 each month. GPS systems can get expensive fast. The On-the-Go Medical Alert Device is just $30.95 per month, but if you want the system that includes in-home protection and fall detection, you’ll pay $52.95 per month.
If you want to save more, you can opt for an annual or semi-annual plan. These two plans are covered by a 30-day money back guarantee. These plans are also likely to come with other discounts and special deals, such as free shipping, free activation, and you may even be able to get an entire month for free.
No matter what plan you choose, you’ll never have to worry about being locked into a lengthy contract. You can cancel your plan at any time without having to pay a cancelation or deactivation fee.
Monitoring & Reputation8.5/10
Quality service is important to Alert1. All of their command centers are TMA 5 Diamond Certified and based in the US. Customer service agents will notify family members of your situation, dispatch help to your location, and stay with you on the line until help arrives.
They have multiple service centers located throughout the country. Even if there’s an outage at one center, the other centers are available to take your call. Customer service agents provide support in over 190 languages.
Their equipment is UL certified and they are PCI compliant. This means they have met the requirements set by the PCI Security Standards Council for processing, storing, and transmitting credit card information in a secure environment.
The Good
- No equipment costs
- Unlimited button pushes and talk time
- Multiple pricing options
- Stylish emergency button options
- Video setup tutorial online
- No long-term contracts
- TMA 5 Diamond Certified command centers
- Support for over 190 languages
- Lowest-price plans start at under $20
- On-the-Go system (Kelsi Pro) offers a battery-life of up to five days
The Bad
- 30-day money-back guarantee only applies to annual and semi-annual plans
- Traditional Home units and On-the-Go + Home Fall Detection only have a 24-hour battery life
Final Thoughts
Alert1 provides great equipment, service, and value. For affordability, they are hard to beat with plans starting under $20. Operators are TMA 5 Diamond Certified and customer service representatives do not engage in high-pressure sales tactics, which makes them a comfortable option for seniors.
Because the 30-day money-back guarantee only applies to annual and semi-annual plans, you shouldn’t sign up for the quarterly plan if you aren’t sure about using a medical alert system. However, there are no long-term contracts, so at least you can cancel at any time without paying outrageous cancellation fees.
