Can I Still Use a Vivint Camera Without Service?

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Vivint offers security cameras for indoor and outdoor use. They have some great features like two-way talk, night vision, and smart home integration. However, if you plan on moving or switching smart home security providers, you may be wondering if you can hold on to Vivint equipment, like the cameras, without actively paying for Vivint’s services.

Vivint cameras cannot be used without service. They require the purchase of the Smart Home Video Monitoring monthly subscription plan. Up to four Vivint cameras can be on one subscription plan, but there is an extra cost for the third and fourth cameras.

Vivint’s Smart Home Video Monitoring service includes many features in addition to video recording. The cost of the service plan is in addition to the monthly payment for your equipment if you choose a financing option. However, if you’re curious about what happens if you cancel your subscription, read on to learn more about Vivint’s service and contract options.

Vivint Subscription Services

Vivint offers three monthly subscription plans with professional monitoring, but only the most expensive plan covers Vivint cameras and video doorbells. You can add up to four Vivint cameras to one subscription plan. The first two cameras are included in the subscription cost; the third and fourth cameras each cost an extra $5 a month.

Here’s what you get with the Vivint video monitoring service:

  • 24/7 professional monitoring for all Vivint devices
  • Video recording with Vivint cameras and video doorbell
  • Video storage with the Vivint Smart Drive
  • Remote access to all your Vivint devices through the Vivint app
  • 24/7 technical support

What Happens If I Cancel Vivint?

Customers who choose to finance any of their Vivint devices are required to sign a 5-year contract. The monthly cost of your contract includes the monitoring plan and the equipment costs.

You will have to pay your contract in full to cancel it early. If you cancel within the first year of your contract, you will also have to pay a $300 cancellation fee in addition to your full contract price. If you cancel in the second year, the cancellation fee is $150.

There are a few circumstances that allow you to cancel a 5-year contract without paying the remainder of your contract. They are:

  • Bankruptcy
  • Moving into an assisted living home
  • Death
  • Deployment for active military
  • Medical discharge for active military

Vivint requires documentation for these extenuating circumstances. Call Vivint customer service at 1-800-216-5232 for more information.

Those on a month-to-month contract can cancel anytime without penalty. Also, you paid for your Vivint devices in full, so they are yours to keep.

How to Cancel Your Vivint Contract

To cancel your contract, you will need to send Vivint a Notice of Cancellation letter. Here’s what you should include in your letter:

  • The date
  • Your account number
  • The reason for cancellation
  • Your signature

You can email the cancellation letter to [email protected]. It’s recommended that you call Vivint to confirm that they received your letter, as there have been reports of Vivint claiming never to have received them.

If you are stuck in a contract and want to cancel, you also have the option of transferring your Vivint system and service to someone else. The person taking over your service will need to sign a new contract or pay a $99 transfer fee. There is no cost to you when transferring your contract.

Can I Use Any Vivint Equipment Without an Account?

Some users have reported that with the smart home panel, their Vivint equipment will continue to work locally after they cancel their Vivint account. This means they cannot monitor or control any of their devices remotely, but they can do so using the Vivint panel in their home. This includes watching Vivint camera feeds on the panel.

Vivint released its new Sky panel in 2018. Some customers have reported that without an account, the Sky panel will not work as a smart hub for your other Vivint equipment.

Keep in mind that without an account, none of your devices will be professionally monitored. You will not be able to access your equipment online or in the Vivint Sky app. The use of the Vivint Sky app requires a monthly subscription plan.

Can Vivint Still Access My Camera Feed?

Vivint will never access your camera feed, even after your account has been canceled. The purpose of professional monitoring is to respond to alarms that are triggered in your home. Vivint will not view your camera feed or video recordings to determine why an alarm was triggered, either.

Check out this article for more information on privacy and security with your Vivint cameras.

In Summary

Vivint cameras require a monthly video monitoring service plan to have access to smart features. The plan includes two cameras, but more cameras can be added for an additional cost. A 5-year contract is required if you are financing your Vivint equipment, and the contract must be paid in full before you can cancel your service.

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