Your Go-to Guide For Cash Ratings

Safes come in all shapes and sizes and can store everything from expensive jewellery to precious heirlooms and important documents.

The perfect one for you often depends on the size and value of the items you intend to keep in it. Most insurance companies will insist on a cash-rated safe, too.

Allow the team at eSafes to explain everything you need to know about cash ratings.

What are cash ratings?

Every security safe is given a cash rating.

This indicates the level of security and the maximum amount of money that an insurer will cover in the event of theft, fire or damage.

The cash rating is based on the thickness of the walls, as well as the quality of the locks and the number of locks included. It’s also determined by the safe’s resistance to attack when broken into under test conditions. The more resistance it provides, the higher the cash rating it will be awarded.

A safe with a higher cash rating is generally better at keeping thieves out, and most insurers will be willing to cover a greater sum of money when stored in a safe with a high cash rating.

Who decides the rating?

Safes are awarded cash ratings from £1,000 to £5,000 by the UK’s accreditation body, the Association of Insurance Surveyors (AiS).

In the event of damage or theft, an insurance company is likely to insure the contents of an AiS-approved safe up to the amount certified by the rating.

Eurograde safes with cash ratings ranging from £6,000 to £250,000 are also approved by AiS.

What are Eurograde safes?

The Eurograde system is a security numbering system used throughout Europe. It certifies high-security safes which have been tried and tested for the protection of cash and valuables.

Eurograde safes are rated according to the level of defence they provide against physical attack.

These include:

•    Eurograde 0 – £6,000 in cash or valuables up to £60,000
•    Eurograde 1 – £10,000 in cash or valuables up to £100,000
•    Eurograde 2 – £17,500 in cash or valuables up to £175,000
•    Eurograde 3 – £35,000 in cash or valuables up to £350,000
•    Eurograde 4 – £60,000 in cash or valuable up to £600,000
•    Eurograde 5 –£100,000 in cash or valuables up to £1,000,000
•    Eurograde 6 – £150,000 in cash or valuables up to £1,500,000
•    Eurograde 7 – £250,000 in cash or valuables up to £2,500,000

Although Eurograde 7 safes are the strongest – perfect for commercial use – a Eurograde 0 safe provides ample protection for domestic use.

All Eurograde safes certified grade 4 and above include two locks with different keys for two people. Both keyholders need to be present to unlock the safe, providing an extra line of security and helping to restrict unauthorised access.

What can you store in a cash-rated safe?

Generally, you can store whatever you like in your safe. However, it’s worth double-checking with your insurance provider before you add anything else to your safe.

If you don’t follow their advice or the cash rating guidelines and store too much in your safe, your belongings may not be covered should the worst happen.

A cash-rated safe will cover valuables to ten times the amount of cash.

For example, a safe with a cash rating of £3,000 will allow you to store up to £3,000 in cash or valuable items worth £30,000 – not both! If you wanted, you could split that and have £1,500 in cash and £15,000 in valuables.

Ready to invest in a cash-rated safe?

Here at eSafes, we stock an extensive range of insurance-approved safes and Eurograde safes – all of which have been given a cash rating.

As with all the products we supply, our AiS-approved and Eurograde safes are manufactured to an exceptionally high quality and can be purchased for a highly affordable price, meaning you needn’t break the bank!

While you’ll need to check with your insurer to store high-value items, if you’re unsure or need further advice on cash-rated safes, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Either call 0800 783 2328, or email info@esafes.co.uk and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.