SUNNYVALE, CA--(Marketwired - Sep 2, 2015) - Roost, an innovator in smart home technology, today announced a solution to help insurance companies increase home safety and mitigate insurance losses with its unique Roost Smart Battery for smoke alarms. Leading insurance companies know that smart home systems which provide early warnings of danger and utilize critical data are a new key to improving home safety, while also promising to expand and improve the industry's relationship with its customers. The Roost Smart Battery is the first in a new class of affordable, easy to install breakthrough products, which offer the P&C insurance industry a path to lower claims as well as to increase customer engagement and satisfaction.
Today's insurance companies are always looking for ways to demonstrate their commitment to the safety and security of their customers. With the simple to install and easy-to-use Roost Smart Battery, Roost offers a cost effective way for companies to help customers take a technological leap forward into the "smart home" and improve safety. Simple for consumers to understand, the Roost Smart Battery offers a unique retrofit approach for existing smoke detectors, which requires no new shiny gadgets. If a smoke alarm sounds, the Roost Smart Battery alerts homeowners, whether they are at home or away, so they can take immediate action to protect their families and homes.
Roost's unique Smart Battery solution has already been backed by a subsidiary of USAA, one of the nation's foremost financial services providers for military families. Demonstrating its support of the company and its innovative technology, USAA recently participated in Roost's Series A funding round of $5.5 million.
"USAA is investing in Roost because we see an opportunity to improve our members' lives by keeping their homes and families safe," said Jon-Michael Kowall, assistant vice president of innovation for USAA Property & Casualty. "By reinventing the battery, Roost has created a simple, convenient and affordable way to improve the safety of smoke alarms, by reducing fire and carbon monoxide risks."
The Roost Smart Battery also has the potential to help reduce fire losses. By notifying customers when their smoke alarm sounds, even when they are away from their homes, Roost may improve response time, and further mitigate potential fire damage. Finally, Roost helps insurance companies increase customer engagement and build lifetime loyalty. As a new and breakthrough partner for the insurance industry, Roost enables companies to extend quality engagements beyond the simple collection of premiums and payment of claims. Now they become a critical technology and lifestyle partner.
"With our unique retrofit approach, which doesn't require consumers to spend hundreds of dollars to purchase new devices, the Roost Smart Battery will be a strategic part of the insurance industry's moves to transform home safety," said Roel Peeters, Roost CEO and co-founder. "The Roost Smart Battery enables our industry partners to improve loyalty with their customers today and attract new customers tomorrow. We are looking forward to partnering with dedicated insurance companies who share our vision to improve home safety."
"USAA is committed to innovating on behalf of our members and working with companies like Roost that have innovative solutions that could help us serve our members. Smart homes and the 'Internet of Things' offer consumers new ways to enhance their safety, convenience and budgets," said Vic Pascucci, head of Corporate Development for USAA. "USAA is committed to being a leader in this area and working with leaders like Roost to deliver those options to our members."
About Roost
Roost is a technology company headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA. Roost has developed a unique, patented connected platform that delivers the ultimate in installation simplicity and the most affordable way for consumers to enter the smart home space. Roost's initial hardware solution, the Roost Smart Battery for smoke alarms, addresses a disruptive retrofit opportunity to transform any existing smoke alarm that uses a 9V battery into a smart smoke alarm. For more information, please visit www.getroost.com.
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Media Contact:
Michael Ingalls
Natron Communications for Roost
+1 (917) 494-4909