Cheap Safes V Quality Safes
The vast range of safes and strongboxes available in Australia is extensive. When you start researching, you will see the varying difference in the quality...
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Cheap Safes V Quality Safes
By Dinesh Bulasara | October 14, 2024
The vast range of safes and strongboxes available in Australia is extensive. When you start researching, you will see the varying difference in the quality and levels of protection from one product to another. So, let’s look at the definition of a safe. A safe, also called a strongbox is a secure lockable box used for securing valuable objects against theft and/or damage from fire.
Why Cash Ratings Matter
One of the easiest ways to separate a cheap safe from a quality safe is by checking its cash rating. A cash rating is the maximum amount of cash that an insurance company will cover if stored in that specific safe. Quality safes undergo rigorous testing by independent bodies to achieve these ratings.
- Cheap Safes: Often have no official cash rating. They are made from thin metal that can easily be pried open.
- Quality Safes: Constructed with solid steel doors, drill-resistant hard plates, and re-lockers. They come with verifiable cash ratings starting from $5,000 up to $250,000+.
Fire Resistance
A true quality safe will have a certified fire rating (e.g., 60 minutes at 900°C). Cheap safes often use thin drywall for insulation, which provides minimal protection when exposed to actual structural fires. If you are protecting important documents or digital media, investing in a certified fire-resistant safe is non-negotiable.