Compare
Private Vault vs. Bank Safe Deposit Box
The two look similar and behave very differently — most of all when someone dies, when a bank closes a branch, or when a hurricane is 48 hours out.
Private, by appointment. No account relationship required to visit.
Side by side
| Category | Florida Intervault | Bank Safe Deposit Box |
|---|---|---|
| Vault rating | 9R — highest available, Federal Reserve standard | Typically B- or C-rated |
| Vault doors | Two 14,000-lb John Tann doors; waterproof, airtight | Standard commercial vault door |
| Hurricane rating | 250+ mph, Category 5+ | Not specifically engineered for hurricane zones |
| Contents insurance | Lloyd’s of London coverage available | None — safe deposit contents are not FDIC insured |
| Access hours | Mon–Fri 9–6, emergency access by appointment | Branch hours only, and branches keep closing |
| If the bank fails | No effect — the facility is independent of the banking system | Closure or regulatory action can restrict access |
| On death of renter | Beneficiary designation; trust rental avoids probate | Box is often frozen; probate required |
| Entity rental | LLC, trust, or corporate rental available | Limited, and the bank relationship still applies |
| Security incidents in 40 years | Zero | Robberies and regulatory closures both occur |
Our view
The honest verdict
The honest summary: a bank box is cheaper and usually closer. A private vault wins on structure, on insurance, and above all on what happens to your family when you are gone.
Other comparisons
Private Vault vs. a Home Safe
A home safe solves convenience. It does not solve burglary, flood, or the problem of being at home when someone wants what is inside.
Read more →
Private Vault vs. a Self-Storage Unit
Self-storage is built for furniture. The economics only work because the security and the insurance are thin.
Read more →
Compare it in person instead.
Tours are private and by appointment. You will see the vault door, the man-trap entry, and the box sizes in person. No account relationship is required to visit.