EUROGRADE SAFES, WHAT ARE MY INSURANCE COMPANY ASKING FOR?
Eurograde Safes, What Are My Insurance Company Asking For?
If your insurance company has told you that you need a Eurograde safe, they are asking for a safe with a recognised and certified burglary-resistance grade.
They may say “Eurograde”, “Euro Grade” or quote a specific number such as Eurograde 1. This page explains what that means and how it relates to cash and valuables ratings.
What your insurer usually means
If your insurer says you need a Eurograde 1 safe, they are not just asking for any generic safe. They are asking for a safe that has been tested and certified to a recognised burglary-resistance level.
For example, a Eurograde 1 safe is generally suitable for storing up to £10,000 in cash or up to £100,000 in valuables.
This is simply a structured way for insurers, customers and safe suppliers to understand how much protection a safe is designed to provide.
Why the Eurograde system exists
Tested to a recognised level
Eurograde safes are not rated casually. They are tested so there is a recognised measure of their resistance to attack.
Each grade relates to a value
Each Eurograde corresponds to a cash rating and, in this guide, a valuables rating of ten times that amount.
Everyone understands the same thing
The system removes confusion by giving insurers and safe companies a common language for the level of protection required.
The main Eurograde ratings at a glance
These are the core grades your insurer is most likely to refer to.
Up to £60,000 valuables
Up to £100,000 valuables
Up to £175,000 valuables
Up to £350,000 valuables
Up to £600,000 valuables
Up to £1,000,000 valuables
Up to £1,500,000 valuables
What does EN1143 mean?
The Eurograde rating system is applied to safes that are designed to be theft and burglary resistant. The testing standard behind this is commonly referred to as EN1143.
So, if someone is referring to a Grade 1 Eurograde safe, the associated standard is generally described as EN1143-1.
In other words, the standard name and the grade are linked together.
Two ways of writing the same grades
How a safe becomes Eurograde certified
Before a Eurograde rating can be attributed to a safe, it has to undergo formal testing by recognised testing agencies such as VdS and ECB·S.
Testing begins
A safe is examined and tested using recognised procedures designed to assess its resistance to attack.
Resistance is assessed
The testing process looks at how well the safe resists attack and how difficult it is to gain entry.
A grade is assigned
Once the resistance level has been determined, the safe is attributed the appropriate Eurograde level.
A certification plate is fitted
A metal certification plate is normally fixed to the safe, often on the inside of the door.
Where is the certification plate?
Most Eurograde safes will have a metal certification plate confirming the testing and certification. Normally this plate can be found on or inside the safe door.
If you are buying an insurance-approved safe and want reassurance, it is sensible to check whether the product page clearly states the certification and rating.
Is the fire rating part of the Eurograde test?
Some safes are also described as offering a fire rating such as 175 degrees for 30 minutes. That may be a useful additional feature, but it is not the same thing as the Eurograde EN1143 burglary-resistance certification.
It is best to think of fire protection and Eurograde burglary resistance as two separate performance characteristics.
The safe also needs to be installed correctly
Buying the correct Eurograde safe is only part of the process. If a safe is intended for insurance purposes, it also needs to be installed and anchored correctly in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and the structure of the building.
That is why we always recommend speaking to us if you are not sure what your insurer requires or whether a particular installation position will work.
Still not sure what your insurance company are asking for?
If you have been told that you need a Eurograde safe but you are unsure which grade is required, give us a call and we will be happy to help you interpret the requirement.