Every safe on this site lists a security rating and a cash/valuables cover figure, but if you've never bought a safe before those letters and numbers don't mean much on their own. Here's what they actually tell you.
Why ratings exist at all
A security rating isn't a marketing claim — it's the result of independent testing where the safe is physically attacked using standard tools and techniques for a set amount of time, to see what it takes to get in. The rating tells you, and your insurer, how much resistance the safe genuinely offers, so you're not relying on the manufacturer's word for it.
EN14450 (S1 and S2) — entry to mid-level security
This European standard covers lighter security safes, split into two grades:
- S1 — typically rated for around £2,000 cash or £20,000 valuables cover.
- S2 — a step up, typically rated for around £4,000 cash or £40,000 valuables cover.
This range suits home use, small retail tills, or office petty cash — situations where the risk is opportunistic theft rather than a determined, tooled-up attack.
EN1143-1 (Grade 0 to Grade V) — high security
This is the standard used for genuinely high-security safes, and it's graded in Roman numerals from Grade 0 (lowest) up to Grade V (highest):
- Grade 0 — around £6,000 cash / £60,000 valuables
- Grade I — around £10,000 cash / £100,000 valuables
- Grade II — around £17,500 cash / £175,000 valuables
- Grade III — around £35,000 cash / £350,000 valuables
- Grade IV — around £60,000 cash / £600,000 valuables
- Grade V — around £100,000 cash / £1,000,000 valuables
These figures are a general guide — always confirm the exact cover with your insurer, since individual policies vary.
Why cash cover is lower than valuables cover
You'll notice valuables cover is consistently around 10x the cash figure. This isn't arbitrary — cash is treated as higher risk because it's immediately usable the moment it's stolen, whereas jewellery or other valuables typically need to be sold on, which takes time and reduces their value to a thief. Insurers price that risk difference into the rating.
Other marks worth knowing
- ECB.S Certified — confirms the test was carried out and certified by the European Certification Body for Security, an independent testing authority.
- Secured by Design (Police approved) — a UK police initiative recognising products that meet a proven standard for reducing crime.
- AiS (Association of Insurance Surveyors) — recognition from UK insurance surveyors, useful when discussing cover with your insurer.
What this means when you're choosing a safe
Work out the value of what you're storing first, then match it to a rating with sufficient cover — not the other way around. Buying a safe because it looks solid, without checking its actual rating against your insurer's requirement, is the most common mistake people make.
Every product page on this site lists the exact security rating and cash/valuables cover for that model, so you can check it against your policy before buying. If you're not sure what your insurer requires, get in touch and we can help you figure out the right level of cover.
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