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  Home >> Safe Deposit Boxes  
Insuring Safe Deposit Box Contents

If the FDIC doesn't insure safety deposit boxes does the bank?


The contents of a safe deposit box are not deposits in the bank and are not insured by the FDIC. The bank also does not insure your contents. The bank doesn't know what is there to insure, and generally doesn't want to know. They are concerned only if the contents may be hazardous or otherwise prohibited. This should be defined in your rental agreement with the bank.

What you may do is contact your insurance agent who also covers your homeowners or renters insurance. You can tell them what you keep in the box, values and request a rider on your existing policy to cover this.

While safe deposit boxes are very good at protecting your valuables from theft, this doesn't mean they are completely protected. 9-11 and Katrina have demonstrated that safe deposit boxes still pose risks. Short of a Katrina-like storm, a bank could suffer a broken water line and rising water can damage the contents of your box. What you need to do is put the contents of your box in sealed plastic baggies. This will protect them from water damage. Also, be sure to keep an inventory of your box at home, so you know exactly what is there.



Published on BankingQuestions.com 2/16/07