In this short guide, we explain what a safe cash rating is, why it matters and how to choose the right one for you.

What is a safe cash rating?

A safe cash rating indicates how secure a safe is and the maximum amount of money that should be kept in it. You can buy a safe with a cash rating of £1,000 upwards. Safe cash ratings are sometimes referred to as insurance ratings because they indicate the maximum amount of cash an insurance company will cover if stored in that safe overnight.

What is a valuables rating?

Many people also use their safe to store valuables, such as watches, jewellery and artwork. Because insurers treat these items differently from cash, safes are also given a valuables rating. This is straightforward to calculate – most insurance companies multiply the cash rating by 10. So, if a safe’s cash rating is £25,000, its valuables rating would be £250,000. This would allow you to store valuables worth up to £250,000.

Is that all I need to consider when choosing a safe?

Not quite. If you want to store other items in your safe, for example, important documents or portable hard drives, you should choose a safe that provides a cash rating that’s 30% higher than you’d need for cash or valuables alone. Although these items may be less relevant to a thief, they are costly and time-consuming to replace. Choosing a higher-rated safe usually offers better fire protection and overall security to protect these precious items.

How you install your safe matters too

Once you’ve chosen your safe, it’s essential to install it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This means placing it in a secure location and bolting it to the floor so burglars can’t carry it away.

It’s wise to speak to your insurance company before buying your safe, as they may have certain requirements based on what you intend to store, where your home or business is based and where you’ll be placing your safe.

The easiest way to choose the right safe

Choosing the right safe means making sure your cash, valuables and important documents are fully protected and covered by your insurance policy. At Absolute Fire & Security, we’ve been working with specialist partners for years to help our clients do this. And, because we’re NSI Gold-approved installers, we fit, commission, and maintain safes to the highest possible industry standard.

Get in touch with our team today – we’ll help you find the right safe for your needs and make sure it’s correctly installed. Email us at Info@AbsoluteFireSecurity.co.uk or call 01483 791 500.