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Alert1

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5.1

Overall Score

Author: Kaitlyn Short

LAST UPDATED: June 27th, 2022

Alert1 is a leading provider of medical alert systems in the United States. The company provides award-winning service and has received top ratings from consumers and industry leaders. Alert1 has protected and gained the trust of over 200,000 members to date with a 98 percent member renewal rate. Alert1 offers friendly sales representatives, clear pricing and terms, and a 30-day money-back guarantee (only eligible for the 10-month plan).

Read Alert1 reviews below to see what past and current customers have to say about the medical alert system provider. 

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The Good

  • Excellent Customer Service with Quick Response Times
  • Personalized Accessories
  • Automatic Fall Detection
  • No Equipment or Activation Fee*
  • Referral Discounts
  • Money-Back Guarantee*
  • Warranty

Excellent Customer Service with Quick Response Times

One of Alert1's primary benefits is its customer service, which includes access to a professional monitoring center that is CSAA certified with trained operators that stay on the line with the customer until help arrives. In addition, the company offers a personalized response, meaning operators go beyond calling 911; they also contact a family member or friend from a customized list of contacts in the event of an emergency.

The Alert1 base unit is equipped with two-way communication, so when you have an emergency and press the alert button, the monitoring center responds quickly, between 30–45 seconds. Also, while most other medical alert companies have only one command center, Alert1 has two fully independent, U.S.-based command centers in different states to ensure that service will still be available in the case of power outages. 

Personalized Accessories

Alert1 offers an array of personalized accessories, including lanyards and wristbands with different color options. Accessories are made of silicone for flexibility and are 100 percent waterproof. Customers don't need to choose between a lanyard and a wrist button for their medical alert device because Alert1 makes it easy to transform the alert button from a necklace to a wristband and vice versa.

Alert1 also offers a protective case and belt loop attachment if you prefer to wear the medical alert device on your belt. The attachment is velcro and works only for the on-the-go devices. 

Automatic Fall Detection

Alert1 offers a mobile medical alert system with a fall detection pendant that senses a fall and automatically notifies the command center. The mobile fall detection pendant includes the same benefits as the company's other systems, such as 24/7 monitoring service, a customer service representative that stays on the line until help arrives, and two-way voice functionality in the base unit.

The emergency button has a battery life that lasts for five years, and it includes a low-battery notification. Alert1 will send you a new button when the battery life is low, so you don't have to worry about replacing it yourself.

Typically, medical alert companies will offer fall detection as an add-on to any medical alert package and will charge an extra $5–$10 per month. Alert1 instead offers fall detection as part of a few of its offered plans. Pricing is on par with other medical alert options (That is if you opt for the 10-month pricing plan. The month-to-month plan is significantly more expensive than other medical alert systems on the market). 

No Equipment or Activation Fee*

Alert1 does not charge for equipment or activation. This can give seniors peace of mind that there aren't many required fees to use Alert1 services. The only cost you will be responsible for is the monthly monitoring fee, which varies based on the plan you select.

*However, be aware that if you don't opt for the 10-month plan. Alert1 does require a $19.95 activation fee. 

Referral Discounts

For every friend you refer to Alert1, you receive one free month of service. This is a great offer if you have a spouse or friend who also needs a medical alert device. Also, if you have a second medical alert user you want to sign up on your same plan, Alert1 offers up to 60 percent off of the second user's service. 

Money-Back Guarantee*

Alert1 provides a money-back guarantee if you cancel its services and return the alert device and other equipment within the first 30 days. Any costs paid for shipping and activation are non-refundable. 

*To qualify for the 30-day money-back guarantee, you need to pay for the 10-month plan. If you have the month-to-month plan, you miss out on this benefit, in addition to a free month of service and free activation.  

Warranty

Alert1 has a warranty for any physical damages that occur to the equipment after purchase. This means customers do not have to pay for any replacement costs. Also, if anything manufactural happens with the equipment, Alert1 will always take care of it at no cost to the customer.

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The Bad

  • Limited Plan Options
  • Activation Fee for Month-to-Month Plan
  • No Two-Way Communication for At-Home Plans
  • Limited Range
  • Missing Features
  • Alert1 Reviews

Limited Plan Options

Alert1 pricing is on the more expensive side when compared to other medical alert companies. The company only offers either a month-to-month plan or a 10-month plan. Because of this, Alert1 has higher monthly fees, especially if you opt for the month-to-month plan.

The majority of medical alert companies offer month-to-month, quarterly. semi-annual, and annual pricing plans. This provides flexibility when deciding which payment plan works best for your situation. It's disappointing Alert1 only gives its customers two options. 

The only way you can receive a discount on pricing is if you choose the 10-month plan where you pay for all 10 months upfront, and this will waive your activation fee and save you upwards of $100 throughout the span of your contract. 

Below you can find a breakdown of Alert1's package options:

  At Home Medical Alert At Home + Fall Detection On the Go On the Go + Fall Detection At Home + On the Go + Fall Detection
Fall Detection
Landline
Wireless Option +$10 per Month +$10 per Month
Range from Base Unit 600 Feet 400 Feet Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited
Battery Life of Button 2 Years 2 Years 30 Days 3–5 Days 3–5 Days; 2 Years
Button Type Wristband or Necklace Wristband or Necklace Necklace with Belt Clip Attachment Necklace with Belt Clip Attachment Necklace with Belt Clip Attachment
Month-to-Month Plan $28.95 $38.95 $38.95 $48.95 $58.95
10-Month Plan $19.95 $29.95 $29.95 $39.95 $49.95

Alert1 notes on its website that if your landline functions on a VoIP system or is bundled with cable and/or internet, you'll need to purchase one of Alert1's wireless medical alert options. 

Activation Fee for Month-to-Month Plan

As stated above, you can waive the activation fee if you pay for the 10-month plan. However, if you decide you want the month-to-month plan, which is the more convenient option for many customers, you are required to pay $19.95 to activate the Alert1 medical alert system. 

No Two-Way Communication for At-Home Plans

Alert1's at-home medical alert system does not include a speaker in the button. This means you'll be unable to communicate directly with the monitoring center through the emergency button. Instead, you'll need to be near the medical alert system. A voice extender to place in another common area of your home could potentially help with this if you aren't near your base station. However, Alert1 doesn't appear to offer voice extenders on its website. 

Limited Range

Alert1 has a limited range from the base station for its medical alert systems. You can have a system with a 400-foot range, or you can purchase the more robust plan that includes a range of 600 feet from the base station. However, many medical alert companies offer ranges up to 1,500 feet, so if you're looking for a medical alert system with a wider range, Alert1 may not be the best fit for you. 

Missing Features

Medical alert companies have begun expanding their services to include additional features for customers to take advantage of. For example, activity monitoring and medication reminders are features medical alert providers often include as part of their service. However, Alert1 has neither and seems to have a simpler offering that focuses strictly on traditional medical alert monitoring only.

Some medical alert providers are even offering smartwatch medical alert devices that offer medication reminders, activity monitoring, GPS tracking, weather information, etc. directly through the device. If you're looking for more robust medical alert offerings, Alert1 falls short on these offerings and features. 

Alert1 Reviews

Alert1 has more than 100 reviews but has fairly mixed feedback from its customers, about half of the reviews being 5 stars and the other half being 1 star.  Will you be the customer who has a great experience or will you be disappointed? With as much negative feedback as there is positive, it's difficult to know what to expect if your purchase an Alert1 medical alert system. It may be a better option to look into another medical alert service that has reviews with more solid positive feedback.

View Best Medical Alert Companies

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The Bottom Line

Alert1 offers flexible medical alert service options and does not require customers to sign into a long-term agreement. Alert1 also has referral programs that give you one free month of service for every friend referred, and no equipment or activation fees are required as long as you opt for the 10-month plan. Personalized accessories and fall detection services are also available.

Because pricing is a bit more expensive when compared to competitors and it has a shorter range than most, you may want to consider looking into other top-rated medical alert companies.

You can also browse Alert1 reviews below to see what real consumers have to say about Alert1's medical alert systems and the company's service quality.

View Best Medical Alert Companies

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3.1

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104 Reviews

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40%

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11%

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7%

2 grade

2%

1 grade

40%

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Nancy Burkley

They always get back to me, and are not upset when it was because I accidentally pushed my button. I love having the locked box so the EMTs don’t have to knock down my door. I do have to keep in top on their billing. I signed up for the plan where they will not raise my rates if I pay yearly and they tend to “forget’. I have to call to fix the bill. If it was t for this, they would get five stars.

4 years ago

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Patricia Rambo Williamsport, PA

I have never had to use the service in an emergency. I have noticed that within the last few years when I test the equipment, it sometimes takes a while for someone to answer. This would concern me in an emergency.

4 years ago

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KR Alexandria, MN

In regard to AKC's post, I have two buttons. One is red and one is blue. So it's very possible that they might have white buttons as well. As far as service is concerned, I have always gotten prompt attention the few times I've needed to use it. I'm very satisfied with the service. Of course, I haven't tried to return anything yet. We do pay quarterly, I believe, which apparently is a good thing based on other's experience with not getting money back which should be reported to the BBB.

7 years ago

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Terryski Levittown, PA

They saved my mother's life. She fell in the kitchen with a pot on the stove. It could have caused a fire. They had the ambulance there in minutes and they took her to the hospital. They called me to let me know what was happening. It was the best purchase I ever made for my mom.

9 years ago

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Brandon Singleton Los Angeles, CA

Used Alert1 first time - dispatch of local emergency response and the Alert1 operators who communicated with family members was excellent! Only concern - it took 2+ minutes for Alert1 to respond after hitting call button.

7 years ago

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Geraldine Stonington, IL

They are always pleasant and helpful. Sometimes it takes them awhile to answer.

4 years ago

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Anonymous Davis, WV

Handling of an alert could be more responsive. Retuned item and refund policy needs improvement.

4 years ago

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teresa d'alessandro King Of Prussia, PA

when i press button to even just check in no one comes on right away! it is delayed

4 years ago

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Anonymous Warminster, PA

Hard to hear them, when I have hit my button. But they are very nice when I do.

4 years ago

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Connie Siese Westland, MI

I like their pricing, the button is a bit smaller so more comfortable, service is great

8 years ago

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Alan danovitch

I have alert 1 and find customer service Extremely helpful.

5 years ago