What is the solution for this? My personal use is items that should be locked and protected, and I don't really have a place in my house to bolt a fireproof/waterproof safe. Bank safety deposits also have downsides in case of death.
1. Buy private safe deposit box insurance. I won't link it to avoid impropriety, but easily found via Google.
2. Have joint ownership, so that death isn't an issue.
3. Keep all your items in a dry bag if the bank is in a flood-prone area.
4. Assess the probability of the bank emptying your box (nearly zero) vs a safe in your house being stolen.
5. Digitally scan irreplaceable original documents, so you at least have a copy.
6. Print out a high quality document with a fake letterhead of your favorite 3-letter agency, informing the opener that they are committing a federal crime and will be personally liable. Maybe claim that the bag (See #3) is a diplomatic pouch and opening it is an international incident. Or other stern warning. Print a phone number on it to call immediately. Also put a fake gun in the box to give an air of danger. YMMV.
Modified #6: a notice that opening the box has sent a signal to a safe deposit box monitoring company. Maybe include a device that starts buzzing as soon as the box is opened.
10 comments
[ 3.2 ms ] story [ 31.9 ms ] thread1. Buy private safe deposit box insurance. I won't link it to avoid impropriety, but easily found via Google.
2. Have joint ownership, so that death isn't an issue.
3. Keep all your items in a dry bag if the bank is in a flood-prone area.
4. Assess the probability of the bank emptying your box (nearly zero) vs a safe in your house being stolen.
5. Digitally scan irreplaceable original documents, so you at least have a copy.
6. Print out a high quality document with a fake letterhead of your favorite 3-letter agency, informing the opener that they are committing a federal crime and will be personally liable. Maybe claim that the bag (See #3) is a diplomatic pouch and opening it is an international incident. Or other stern warning. Print a phone number on it to call immediately. Also put a fake gun in the box to give an air of danger. YMMV.
(its a safe deposit box, not a safety deposit box)