You do not have to be a celebrity, or rich to hire a bodyguard. The only prerequisite is your desire to hire one. Whether there’s a direct threat against you or a general safety concern; hiring a bodyguard will give you added peace of mind.
However, it’s a decision not to be taken lightly. There are plenty of cowboy security companies out there all willing to take advantage of you during your time of need. Therefore, you should do your research and choose your close protection provider wisely. Follow our top tips on how to hire a bodyguard below.
Do not rush into a decision or be forced into one by a catchy sales pitch, flashy website or discount. You need to consider all your options carefully and make a decision that is best for you and your requirements. This is certainly an occasion were the cheapest option should be avoided at all costs!
Do your research
Let Google work its magic and start your search online, a good starting search term would be: ‘close protection services’ or ‘hire a bodyguard’. See what security companies are local to you whom provide close protection services, or a big company that provides nationwide coverage. Visit their websites to get a feel for the company, do they sound professional and knowledgeable?
Follow the links to their social media profiles to see if they have a big following and continue their professionalism online – this is a big clue as to how the company really are. Are they up to date with current affairs? – sharing and commenting on relevant news. Or are they posting selfies in the flash cars and homes of their clients? – This would be a major breach of security, confidentiality and privacy.
It goes without saying; these cowboy companies should be avoided like the plague!
Look up reviews
Make a list of your top three potential suppliers, look past their website and social media profiles and dig into their real world independent online reviews. For instance; Google business reviews, Yell.com, FreeIndex and Facebook amongst others. Read a few, if not all if possible and get a feel for their services and customer satisfaction. Are they highly rated? Do they go above and beyond in the services provided? Are they honest and reliable? Take note of any negative reviews and raise them with the company.
Contact the service provider
Once you’ve completed your thorough research of the potential service providers, it’s now time to call them to enquire about their services in more depth and ask any further questions or queries. This is the time to really get to know them better and help you decide if they’re right for you.
You should ask questions relating to:
Any negative reviews found
The training and experience of the bodyguards
If they’re licensed and insured – always ask for proof
How long they’ve been established for
Where they’re based
The cost of the services
Payment terms and conditions
Whether a confidentiality or Non-Disclosure Agreement will be supplied and signed
Any other relevant questions to you and your situation
The more you ask the more you will be able to get a feel for the service you’re considering using. Take your time and consider each option carefully in order to find the one that best suits you, your needs and specific requirements.
Decision time
By now it will be pretty obvious which company you’re going to hire, a good security company will always shine out above the rest and won’t need to use hard-sell or scare tactics to gain your business.
Ultimately, it’s about your personal protection and security. So, whichever close protection provider you feel most comfortable with – hire. But please please please, do not opt for the cheapest provider. They’re cheap for a reason; often not insured, licensed or experienced. You should not put your life and personal safety in the hands of these cowboys.
Using these tips, you can quickly and easily determine which close protection service is right for you. This will enable you to make an informed decision that suits your individual requirements and situation, to ensure you get the level of service and protection that you need and deserve.
Further reading on hiring a bodyguard
