French general insurer MAAF Assurances has selected Sigfox's low throughput communications network for its new fire and/or intrusion alert service, MAAF self-monitoring solution. 

To be provided along with Sigfox network from January 2013, the service will enable MAAF insured clients to be warned directly with an SMS sent through their phone operator, upon detection of smoke or movement by the home installed sensors.

MAAF Assurances marketing communications director Laurent Pigelet said the company was keen to find an innovation solution that would better the life of its insured customers.

''The solution offered by Sigfox answers our need to guarantee our customers security in all circumstances,'' Pigelet added.

Available at highly competitive price, with the full Theft & Fire solution costing €79, the self-monitoring system will initially be provided with SIGFOX network for some 3000 MAAF customers as part of a commercial test phase.

The service is expected to be commercialized on a wider scale by MAAF, which anticipates the regulation requiring each household to be equipped with a smoke detector to be implemented by 2015.

MAAF Assurances is a provider of global insurance solutions, including car, home, professional risks health, life-insurance and high added-value services to 4.1 million insured customers.