🔥 Why Safe Ratings Matter More Than Ever in 2025

Safe insurance ratings provide a useful way to compare the burglary resistance of security safes and estimate the value of cash or valuables that may be suitable for storage inside them.

However, a cash rating is not an automatic promise of insurance cover. Insurers can apply different limits depending on the premises, contents, installation, lock type and wider security arrangements.

The most important rule is therefore simple: identify the value you need to protect, check the safe’s independently tested security grade, and confirm any insurance requirement with your insurer or broker before ordering.

This guide explains UK safe insurance ratings, EN 1143-1 Euro Grades, EN 14450 S1 and S2 ratings, cash and valuables ratings, certification, AiS approval, installation and fire protection.

If you are ready to compare products, browse the Total Locker Service safe range or see our high-security safes.

Quick Guide to UK Safe Insurance Ratings

Security level	Standard	Common UK guide cash rating	Common valuables guide
S1	EN 14450	£2,000	Often up to £20,000
S2	EN 14450	£4,000	Often up to £40,000
Euro Grade 0	EN 1143-1	£6,000	Often up to £60,000
Euro Grade I	EN 1143-1	£10,000	Often up to £100,000
Euro Grade II	EN 1143-1	£17,500	Often up to £175,000
Euro Grade III	EN 1143-1	£35,000	Often up to £350,000
Euro Grade IV	EN 1143-1	£60,000	Often up to £600,000
Euro Grade V	EN 1143-1	£100,000	Often up to £1,000,000
Euro Grade VI	EN 1143-1	£150,000	Often up to £1,500,000

Important: these figures are commonly used UK insurance-rating guides, not guaranteed insurance limits. Your insurer may apply a higher or lower figure according to the safe, premises, contents, lock, installation and overall risk.

What Is a Safe Insurance Rating?

A safe insurance rating is a guide to the value of cash or valuables that may be considered appropriate for storage in a particular security safe.

The rating is linked to the safe’s resistance to burglary attack, normally supported by a recognised testing and certification standard.

It helps answer questions such as:

• How much cash is the safe intended to protect?
• What value of jewellery or other valuables may be appropriate?
• Has the safe been independently tested?
• Which burglary-resistance standard applies?
• What security grade has it achieved?

The rating should be used as part of safe selection, not as a substitute for checking the insurance policy.

What Does Euro Grade Mean?

Euro Grade generally refers to the burglary-resistance grade achieved by a safe tested and certified to EN 1143-1.

The standard assesses resistance to forced entry using controlled attack testing.

The resulting grade provides a consistent way to compare different high-security safes.

Common grades include:

• Grade 0
• Grade I
• Grade II
• Grade III
• Grade IV
• Grade V
• Grade VI

Higher grades represent increasing levels of tested burglary resistance.

EN 1143-1 Explained

EN 1143-1 is a European burglary-resistance standard used for secure storage units including safes.

During testing, the product is subjected to defined attack methods and tools. Its resistance is assessed and the product is assigned the appropriate security grade when the required performance is achieved.

When comparing EN 1143-1 safes, check:

• The exact security grade
• The testing and certification information
• The certification plate or label on the product
• The fitted lock specification
• The manufacturer’s installation requirements

Do not treat phrases such as “heavy duty”, “high security” or “insurance safe” as alternatives to an independently verified security grade where formal certification is required.

EN 14450 S1 and S2 Safes

EN 14450 covers secure safe cabinets providing a lower level of burglary resistance than the higher Euro Grade classifications associated with EN 1143-1.

It uses two main classifications:

• S1
• S2

These products can suit applications where a recognised security classification is required but the value or risk does not justify a higher Euro Grade safe.

Classification	Standard	Common UK cash-rating guide
S1	EN 14450	£2,000
S2	EN 14450	£4,000
Grade 0	EN 1143-1	£6,000

Always verify the individual safe and insurer requirement rather than assuming every product described as S1 or S2 carries identical insurance terms.

Euro Grade 0 Safes

Euro Grade 0 is the first commonly encountered grade within EN 1143-1 rated safes.

A commonly published UK guide rating is:

• Cash: £6,000
• Valuables: up to approximately £60,000

Grade 0 can be suitable for homes and businesses requiring independently tested security above lighter safe-cabinet classifications, subject to insurer approval.

Total Locker Service supplies a range of Euro Grade 0 safes.

Euro Grade I Safes

Euro Grade I provides a higher level of tested burglary resistance.

A commonly used UK guide rating is:

• Cash: £10,000
• Valuables: up to approximately £100,000

It is commonly considered for business and domestic applications where the value held exceeds the typical Grade 0 range.

Euro Grade II Safes

Euro Grade II increases the tested burglary resistance further.

A commonly published UK guide rating is:

• Cash: £17,500
• Valuables: up to approximately £175,000

Grade II safes can suit commercial applications involving higher-value cash or valuables where the insurer accepts the grade and installation.

See the Total Locker Service Euro Grade II safe range.

Euro Grade III Safes

Euro Grade III safes provide a considerably higher level of burglary resistance and are used where larger values need protecting.

A commonly published UK guide rating is:

• Cash: £35,000
• Valuables: up to approximately £350,000

The correct grade should still be confirmed against the maximum value stored and the insurer’s requirements.

Euro Grades IV, V and VI

Higher Euro Grades are intended for increasingly demanding security applications.

Grade	Common UK cash-rating guide	Common valuables guide
Grade IV	£60,000	Up to approximately £600,000
Grade V	£100,000	Up to approximately £1,000,000
Grade VI	£150,000	Up to approximately £1,500,000

At these levels, safe specification should be closely coordinated with the insurer or broker before purchase.

Total Locker Service also supplies higher-security safe ranges including products certified to EN 1143-1 at higher grades.

Cash Rating vs Valuables Rating

Safe ratings are commonly expressed as a cash rating and a larger valuables rating.

A frequently used UK industry guide is that valuables cover may be around ten times the cash rating.

For example:

Cash guide	Typical valuables guide
£6,000	£60,000
£10,000	£100,000
£17,500	£175,000
£35,000	£350,000
£60,000	£600,000

This multiplier is a useful selection guide, but it should not be treated as a universal insurance rule. Confirm the value and type of contents with your insurer.

Why Can Insurance Ratings Vary?

Two customers buying the same safe may not necessarily receive identical insurance terms.

An insurer may consider:

• The value and type of contents
• The premises
• Local risk
• Whether the safe is domestic or commercial
• Alarm protection
• Building security
• The lock fitted to the safe
• The safe’s installation
• Fixing or anchoring
• Who has access
• Whether cash remains overnight

This is why the manufacturer’s cash rating is best viewed as a strong purchasing reference rather than an insurance contract.

Check With Your Insurer Before Buying

If insurance cover is one of the reasons for buying the safe, contact the insurer or broker before placing the order.

Ask them to confirm:

• The maximum cash value to be stored
• The maximum valuables value
• The required security grade
• Whether a particular certification is required
• Whether the safe must appear on an approved list
• Any lock requirements
• Any anchoring or installation requirements
• Whether alarm or other security conditions apply

Keep that information with the safe specification and installation records.

What Is AiS Approval?

AiS refers to the Association of Insurance Surveyors.

You may see an AiS Approved Safe mark on products that are recognised within the insurance-security market.

AiS approval can be useful when discussing a safe with an insurer, but it should not be confused with the product’s underlying EN testing and certification.

When specifying a safe, check both:

• The recognised burglary-resistance standard and grade
• Any relevant insurer-oriented approval or listing

Do not state or assume that an AiS mark by itself guarantees that every insurer will accept the safe for every value or premises.

Testing, Certification and Approval Are Not the Same Thing

Safe descriptions can use several related terms, and they should not be treated as interchangeable.

Term	What to look for
Tested	The product has undergone a defined test
Certified	A recognised certification body has certified the tested product to a stated standard and grade
Approved/listed	The safe may appear on an insurer, industry or scheme approval list
Manufacturer rating	A rating provided by the manufacturer, which should not automatically be treated as independent certification

For a Euro Grade safe, look for clear information identifying the standard, achieved grade and relevant testing or certification details.

Look for the Certification Plate

Certified safes commonly carry a plate or label identifying information about their security certification.

Depending on the safe, this may include:

• Security standard
• Security grade
• Certification organisation
• Safe model or series
• Certificate or production references

If formal certification is important and the product information is unclear, request the relevant documentation before purchase.

Safe Locks and Insurance Ratings

The lock is part of the complete safe certification and should not be considered separately from the safe body.

Certified safe ranges can be available with options such as:

• High-security key locks
• Electronic safe locks
• Mechanical combination locks
• Dual locking arrangements on selected high-security products

Where the safe is being purchased to meet a particular insurance requirement, confirm that the chosen lock option is covered by the relevant safe certification and accepted by the insurer.

Safe Installation and Insurance

Correct installation can be an important condition of both the safe manufacturer’s rating and the insurance arrangement.

Before ordering, check:

• Manufacturer fixing instructions
• Required anchor points
• Floor or wall construction
• Safe weight
• Access to the fixing position
• Any insurer installation conditions

Do not assume that every safe must be installed using exactly the same method. The correct fixing arrangement depends on the safe, certification, substrate and manufacturer’s instructions.

Safe Weight and Floor Loading

Higher-security safes can be very heavy. Weight should be considered during both delivery and installation planning.

Check:

• Total safe weight
• Floor construction
• Whether the safe will be installed upstairs
• Lift capacity
• Stair access
• Door and corridor widths
• The final fixing position

Where there is doubt about the supporting structure, obtain suitable building or structural advice before installation.

Fire Ratings Are Separate From Insurance Security Grades

Euro Grades measure burglary resistance, not fire protection.

A Grade II safe is not automatically a fire safe, and a 60-minute fire safe is not automatically Euro Grade II.

If you need both:

• Burglary protection
• Fire protection

choose a product with suitable independently stated performance for both requirements.

For fire protection, read our Fire Safe Buying Guide UK.

Paper and Digital Media Need Different Fire Protection

If fire resistance is also required, consider what the safe contains.

Paper documents and temperature-sensitive digital media do not necessarily require the same internal conditions during a fire.

If the principal contents are USB drives, hard drives, backup media or similar items, consider a suitable data safe rather than assuming a standard document fire safe is appropriate.

Which Safe Grade Does a Business Need?

There is no single Euro Grade that every shop, office, jeweller or other business must use.

The correct level depends on:

• Maximum cash held
• Total value of valuables
• Type of valuables
• Insurance policy
• Premises risk
• Alarm and building security
• Access arrangements
• Whether contents remain overnight

A retailer holding £5,000 overnight may have a very different requirement from another retailer holding £30,000, even though both businesses fall within the same general sector.

Retail and Cash-Handling Businesses

For shops, hospitality businesses and other cash-handling sites, calculate the maximum amount likely to be held rather than relying only on an average day.

Consider:

• Busy weekends
• Bank holidays
• Seasonal peaks
• Delayed banking
• Cash floats
• Multiple tills

If staff need to deposit cash without gaining access to the main safe compartment, a deposit safe may also be worth considering.

Jewellery and High-Value Items

Jewellery, watches and other compact high-value items can quickly exceed the valuables guide associated with a lower safe grade.

Calculate the maximum combined value that may be stored at one time and confirm the required security level with the insurer before selecting the safe.

Do not assume that every jeweller automatically needs one particular Euro Grade. The value stored and insurer’s assessment should determine the specification.

Home and Domestic Safe Insurance Ratings

Domestic customers may need an insurance-rated safe when protecting jewellery, watches, cash or other high-value possessions.

If the insurer has specified a minimum safe rating:

• Get the requirement in writing where possible.
• Check whether it refers to cash or valuables.
• Confirm the required standard and grade.
• Check fixing requirements.
• Check whether a particular lock type is required.

Do not purchase solely on the assumption that a particular jewellery value automatically requires Grade 0, Grade I or another grade without checking the policy.

Do Controlled Drugs Use Euro Grade Ratings?

Controlled-drug storage should not be specified from a general safe insurance table alone.

Medicine and controlled-drug storage has its own legal, operational and security considerations, and the correct cabinet or safe depends on the setting and substances involved.

See our Controlled Drug Cabinet Requirements UK guide rather than assuming a particular Euro Grade is automatically required.

Allow for Growth, But Do Not Guess the Next Grade

If cash holdings or valuables are likely to increase, future requirements should be considered before buying.

However, it is better to estimate the likely future value and discuss it with the insurer than simply buying “one grade higher” as a universal rule.

Also consider:

• Internal safe capacity
• Future contents
• Changes to the insurance policy
• Possible business expansion
• Whether higher-value stock is seasonal

Common Safe Insurance Rating Mistakes

1. Treating the Cash Rating as Guaranteed Insurance Cover

The published cash rating is a guide. Your insurer still determines the cover available for your particular risk.

2. Assuming the Valuables Multiplier Is Universal

Ten times the cash rating is commonly used as a guide, but insurers can apply different limits.

3. Confusing AiS Approval With EN Certification

AiS approval or listing and EN product certification are related pieces of information, but they are not the same thing.

4. Buying Before Asking the Insurer

If the safe is required for insured valuables, confirm the required rating before purchasing it.

5. Confusing Fire Rating With Security Grade

A fire rating does not automatically provide a burglary rating, and a Euro Grade does not automatically provide fire protection.

6. Ignoring Installation Requirements

The safe may need to be installed and anchored according to specific manufacturer and insurer requirements.

7. Buying on Weight Alone

A very heavy safe is not automatically certified to a recognised security grade.

8. Trusting a Marketing Description Instead of the Certificate

Terms such as “insurance approved”, “commercial security” and “heavy duty” should not replace checking the actual standard and grade.

9. Assuming One Industry Always Requires One Grade

The safe requirement should be based on the actual value, contents, premises and insurance terms rather than a generic business category.

10. Forgetting the Maximum Value Held

Seasonal peaks, weekend cash and temporary stock increases may raise the maximum value well above the normal daily figure.

How to Choose an Insurance-Rated Safe

1. Calculate the maximum cash value likely to be stored.
2. Calculate the maximum valuables value likely to be stored.
3. Contact your insurer or broker and ask what security grade they require.
4. Confirm any certification requirement.
5. Select an appropriate independently tested safe.
6. Check the chosen lock option.
7. Determine whether fire protection is also needed.
8. Check usable internal dimensions.
9. Check safe weight and delivery access.
10. Confirm anchoring and installation requirements.
11. Keep the safe specification and installation information.

Safe Insurance Rating Buying Checklist

• Maximum cash held
• Maximum value of jewellery or other valuables
• Insurer or broker contacted
• Required security standard confirmed
• Required Euro Grade or S rating confirmed
• Testing and certification checked
• AiS or other relevant approval checked where required
• Chosen lock option confirmed
• Fire protection requirement considered separately
• Internal capacity checked
• External dimensions checked
• Safe weight checked
• Delivery route measured
• Floor or wall construction checked
• Anchoring requirement confirmed
• Installation instructions retained
• Insurance documents updated if required

Insurance-Rated Safes from Total Locker Service

Total Locker Service supplies security safes for domestic, office, retail and commercial applications across the UK.

Available ranges include:

• EN 14450 security safes
• Euro Grade 0 safes
• Euro Grade I safes
• Euro Grade II safes
• Higher Euro Grade safes
• Fire and security safes
• Deposit safes
• Office safes
• High-security safes

Browse the complete safe range or the high-security safe range.

If a safe is being purchased to meet an insurance requirement, tell us the required standard or grade when enquiring. You should also confirm the final product, installation and cover requirements with your insurer or broker.

Call 01284 749211 or email sales@totallocker.co.uk.

Related Safe Guides

• Fire Safe Buying Guide UK
• Fire Safe Ratings UK
• Fire Safe vs Standard Safe
• Data Safes vs Fire Safes
• Controlled Drug Cabinet Requirements UK