Life Alert Review

Life Alert is a self-described pioneer in the medical alert system industry. Since 1987, the company has provided emergency response to customers. With an annual volume of two million calls, the company claims to have saved 44,900 lives in 2018 by providing emergency response to fall victims out of reach of their telephones.

Life Alert Equipment

Like most medical alert providers, Life Alert offers options for the home and on the go. All equipment comes with a free lifetime warranty. One drawback of these devices is that they do not offer automatic fall detection, which is a newer feature offered by many competitors.

For home coverage, the main unit can connect to landline phones or use cellular technology. An emergency pendant with an 800-foot range and seven-year battery life connects to the main system, and a stationary help button can provide additional accessibility around the home.

For mobile coverage, Life Alert offers a small mobile pendant that can be worn or carried. The pendant has just one button and batteries that can last up to 10 years. It uses GSM technology like a cell phone and has GPS for convenient locating.

Life Alert Monitoring

Life Alert offers an in-house response center with hundreds of employees who take calls 24/7. Other medical alert system providers have smaller in-house response centers, or even use a third party response center. This system has twice as many emergency dispatchers as most alarm companies.

Because Life Alert offers in-house dispatchers, they are specially trained in responding to the unique emergencies experienced by customers. Dispatchers notify the user’s family, contacts emergency responders, and provides health history to responding paramedics. They can also provide a response to other emergencies like home invasions.

Life Alert’s Reputation

Life Alert is known as one of the oldest and most memorable medical alert system companies in the industry. It became a household name thanks to frequent advertising and is the only company of its kind to be endorsed by C. Everett Koop, a former U.S. Surgeon General.

Life Alert’s website is one blemish on their reputation. Its website is outdated and difficult to navigate, making it a hassle to view product options. Prices are not listed on the website, and online ordering is not an option. Customers who wish to learn more information or place an order are forced to call, which may pose an inconvenience to some customers. Additionally, many people needed to go through Better Business Bureau in order to cancel their services.

Summary

Because of Life Alert’s negative customer testimonials on BBB, high pricing, long term contracts, and questionable business practices using roundabout ways to cancel services, we can’t recommend Life Alert to our readers.

How To Choose The Right Medical Alert System

Read our ratings of the best medical alert systems for 2024. Our recommendations are based off of hours of real-world research, testing, and / or evaluation.