Jewelry, weapons, and peace of mind: Tips for choosing a home safe

It doesn't matter if it is a dangerous weapon that must be kept out of the hands of children, valuable jewelry that is passed down from generation to generation in the family, important documents such as a will or even a passport, if you have decided to invest in a home safe, you probably have something very important to protect - and that's a good thing. 

On the other hand, one of the data that will surely surprise you is that in the main part of the theft of property from a safe, that safe was not broken into at all, but was moved from the wall. According to experts in the field, an average breaking into a safe takes about fifteen minutes, compared to an average breaking into which lasts only a few minutes. Therefore, many prefer to simply move the safe from its place and hack it at a later stage in a safe place for them.

And now for a much less surprising figure - the character of the average Israeli, the one who lives according to the common cliché "it won't happen to me." Vault experts say that about 80% of consumers who want to protect their home are those who have already been hacked. Or then they instantly turn from a state of complacency to over-protection, sure that the thief will return to the scene of the crime, and then they are not only interested in a home safe, but also an alarm, cameras and a permanent deal with the Ituran company. 

Types of safes

So which safe to go for, in a world saturated with types, sizes and mechanisms of safes? This depends on a number of factors, such as what you wish to store in the safe, and depending on the degree of investment desired. For example, if it is about securing documents, a relatively small safe weighing between 3-10 kg will suffice. On the other hand, as mentioned, it is important to remember that a potential burglar does not delay breaking into the safe, but uproots it from the wall and robs its contents, so it is possible that a smaller and cheaper safe It is an unnecessary expense and does not really meet the requirements of the average consumer. 

Heavier and more sophisticated safes, which are intended, among other things, for securing weapons or jewelry, weigh over 50 kg, and in addition the recommended thickness of the wall of the safe is a minimum of 6 mm, while the door must be at least 10 mm wide. Moreover, experts Safes recommend anchoring the safe to both the wall and the floor of the house, where the safest anchoring of all is using a plate that includes four steel anchors (jumbo) with a minimum of 13 mm for each of them.     

Other things to consider - check whether the lock of the safe is protected by the welded steel at an angle exceeding 30 degrees, since in this case it will make it very difficult to drill in an attempted break-in. In addition, it is recommended to go for a recessed safe door, because then it is not possible to insert a loom that helps break-in.   

Also, try to choose an electric motor and not an electric magnet, since the motor requires a full rotation of the bolts, which will make it difficult for optional break-in attempts. As for the lock, it is advisable to go for a double locking mechanism for deterrence - mechanical with a key alongside a digital lock.  

How much does it cost us?

So how much is our security worth in the form of a home safe? The price of a small safe, measuring 25-35 cm, is about NIS 350; a medium safe - 35-45 cm, will cost you about NIS 550, while the price of a large safe - 40-60 cm, is About NIS 990. It should be noted that these are lighter safes, weighing about 3-10 kg, plus an installation cost of about NIS 200.    

The heavier safes, which meet the requirements of the insurance companies (more on that later), with a size of 40-60 cm and a weight of 50 kilos or more, cost about NIS 2,000 , plus an installation cost of about 350 NIS including transportation. By the way, you can add Safe alarm - another protective measure that only protects the safe itself, at a cost of about NIS 1,500. 

As for the location of the safe, or if you want somewhere to hide it, it is recommended to place it near a concrete wall, in order to make access to it difficult. A residential secure space could be a good option, or alternatively, a Videm requires a ladder and will probably make it very difficult to remove the safe from the wall. And where not to put the safe? In the wardrobe, of course, the first place every novice burglar checks.

On insurance and protection

As far as the contents of the safe are concerned, the insurance companies know very well that the common way to steal the contents of the safe is to remove it from the wall, and therefore require the customer to insure the value of the items inside the home safe, as part of the contents insurance. 

Phoenix home insurance will provide you with full protection for your home, including coverage for a variety of risks such as fire or earthquake and more. In this context, it is important to make sure that your home safe is fire and water resistant, in order to keep various documents and certificates even in this type of case. 

And after all this, and despite the fact that the home safe is one of the most important protection mechanisms for your home, try not to spread on social media that you went on a long vacation away from home, and if possible, don't forget to lock the door well. Beyond the quality of the safe, peace of mind also has a price.

This information is general about the plan only and all of the above is subject to the full policy terms and conditions. In any place of contradiction between the information appearing in this publication and the terms of the policy, the terms of the policy prevail. Joining the insurance is subject to the joining processes and the company's underwriting policy. The above information does not constitute an opinion or recommendation and is not a substitute for advice that takes into account the data and the special needs of the insured.

The article was written in collaboration with The Phoenix Smart