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This Not That: What to Store in Your Safe Deposit Box

This Not That: What to Store in Your Safe Deposit Box

Financial Education / This Not That: What to Store in Your Safe Deposit Box


Just because safe deposit boxes1 have been around for over 150 years doesn’t mean they are relics of the past. As you plan for your future and check off new life milestones, you will begin to collect valuables and documents that you simply cannot afford to lose. There is no question that safe deposit boxes and bank vaults are safer and more secure than a file cabinet or dresser drawer at home. Allow yourself some peace of mind and let us do the protecting for you.

So, what personal items deserve safekeeping?

We’ve created a helpful guide below to educate you on the dos and don’ts of safe deposit box storage. While this list is not all-inclusive, it is a helpful guide for what to store and not to store in your safe deposit box.

This

Not That

Documents:
The documents listed below are typically not necessary for routine business, and are only needed on rare occasions or milestones. They are also a hassle to replace, making them perfect candidates to store in your safe deposit box.

  • Birth Certificate
  • Social Security Card
  • Trust Document
  • Marriage License
  • Power of Attorney Documents
  • Passport
  • Life Insurance Policies
  • Mortgage Deed
  • Automobile Titles
  • Copy of a Will
  • School Transcripts and Diplomas
  • Stock Certificates
  • Savings Bonds

Valuables:
The valuables listed below can be sentimental in nature and priceless in value. They can also be the priciest items you own. These items are best kept in your safe deposit box until a special occasion arises.

  • Jewelry
  • Artwork
  • Pictures
  • Family Heirlooms
  • Gold bars/Bullions/Coins
  • Priceless Antiques

In Case of an Emergency:
The documents and items below are better kept in a safe location inside your residence than in a safe deposit box in case of an emergency.

  • Letters of Instruction or Other End-of-Life Documents
  • Medical Directives
  • Cash
  • Spare Keys
  • COVID-19 Vaccination Card

Illegal Substances or Uninsured Valuables:
You must comply with state and federal laws when it comes to storing items in a safe deposit box. You’ll also want to leave out any items that are uninsured or perishable in nature. 

  • Firearms or Explosives
  • Drugs
  • Hazardous Materials
  • Items Banned in Your State
  • Uninsured Valuables
  • Perishable Goods 

Opening a safe deposit box is straightforward and simple. Open an account at any of our locations  and get started with your safe deposit box today!

1. Safe Deposit Boxes. Safe deposit boxes are not FDIC-insured. 

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