Personal Alarm Costs: Monthly Fees and Setup Explained
Personal alarm costs usually have two parts: a regular monitoring payment and, for some packages, a one-off setup charge. Comparing both gives you a clearer picture than choosing the lowest monthly price alone.
This guide explains how to compare a home alarm, a package with automatic fall detection and a GPS alarm. It also shows worked examples using TASK Connect's published rental prices.
What makes up the cost of a personal alarm?
Start with the equipment and connection you need. A home alarm sends a signal from a wearable button to a base unit. A portable GPS alarm is designed to be taken out with you. Automatic fall detection is a further feature to consider, rather than something to assume every alarm includes.
When comparing quotes, ask whether the price includes monitoring, equipment rental, delivery, setup and ongoing support. Check whether the advertised amount includes VAT and whether there is a minimum contract. An alarm that looks cheaper at first can have a different overall cost once those details are included.
Personal alarm costs: compare home packages
The examples below use the rental prices checked on 20 October 2026. Prices and terms can change, so confirm the current product page before ordering. The VAT-exempt amounts apply only where the customer and supply qualify.
| Rental package | Monthly, VAT exempt | Setup, VAT exempt | Monthly, including VAT | Setup, including VAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital home alarm | £12 | £0 | £14.40 | £0 |
| GSM home alarm | £20 | £99 | £24 | £118.80 |
| Digital alarm with Vibby fall detector | £22 | £45 | £26.40 | £54 |
| GSM alarm with Vibby fall detector | £30 | £144 | £36 | £172.80 |
Compare personal alarm costs over the first 12 months
For a like-for-like illustration, multiply the monthly payment by 12 and add setup. On that basis, the digital home alarm totals £144 VAT exempt or £172.80 including VAT. The GSM home alarm totals £339 VAT exempt or £406.80 including VAT.
The digital package with Vibby totals £309 VAT exempt or £370.80 including VAT. The GSM package with Vibby totals £504 VAT exempt or £604.80 including VAT.
These figures cover the stated subscription and setup charges only. They exclude optional extras and any separate broadband or household services. They are a 12-month comparison, not a promise that all charges stop after a year. Review the minimum term, cancellation conditions and equipment-return requirements before you commit.
Why does the connection affect the price?
A digital home alarm uses a working broadband connection. A GSM home alarm uses the mobile network and can suit a home without broadband. Choosing between them starts with the connection available at the property, rather than price alone. A SIM in a home base unit does not mean its pendant can be used away from home.
If you need support while walking, visiting friends or shopping, compare a portable GPS alarm such as Go Watch. Check its current setup and subscription prices separately because it provides a different kind of use.
Can you get VAT relief on a personal alarm?
VAT relief depends on eligibility and the equipment being supplied. Being older does not, by itself, qualify someone. The GOV.UK VAT relief guidance explains the rules for people with a disability or long-term illness. Read our VAT exemption guidance and complete the required declaration where applicable.
What about batteries and additional equipment?
Ask what is included throughout the rental, as well as on the delivery day. TASK Connect's home alarm rental packages include replacement pendant batteries when required. Outright equipment purchases can have different terms, so purchase-only replacement charges should not be treated as ordinary rental costs.
Optional telecare equipment may add a separate cost. If you already have an alarm, contact us with your customer number so we can check compatibility and programming before you order an extra device.
Personal alarm costs: 6 essential questions before paying
- Does the price include the connection and monitoring I need?
- What is payable now, and what repeats each month?
- Is the quoted amount VAT exempt or VAT inclusive?
- What is the minimum term, and what happens if I cancel?
- Are battery replacements and equipment support included?
- Will this work where I want to use it, including during a power cut?
For the last question, read our guide to personal alarms during a power cut. The right comparison combines affordability with a connection, wearing style and response service that suit the person using the alarm.