If you are thinking about renting a safe deposit box, one of the first questions you might have is simple: what would I actually put in it?

For many people, the answer isn’t simply their most expensive possessions.

Some of the things we value most are the things that could never truly be replaced.

A piece of jewellery passed down through generations. A watch that belonged to a parent or grandparent. Treasured photographs, important documents or a possession that carries memories stretching back years.

Their financial value may vary, but their personal and sentimental value can be impossible to measure.

That’s why people use safe deposit boxes for a mixture of financially valuable, difficult-to-replace and personally irreplaceable belongings.

So, what do people commonly keep in a safe deposit box? Here are five examples.

1. Jewellery and watches

Jewellery is one of the most obvious things people consider storing in a safe deposit box.

That might include valuable watches, rings, necklaces and bracelets, but monetary value is not always the main reason for choosing somewhere dedicated to keep them.

An engagement ring passed down through generations, a watch inherited from a parent or a piece of jewellery associated with an important moment can carry a significance that goes far beyond its price.

Some of these items can be replaced financially. Their history cannot.

If there are pieces you only wear occasionally, keeping them somewhere separate from your home can also mean you are not continually finding different places to store them between uses.

For valuable items, it is sensible to retain photographs, receipts and up-to-date valuations where appropriate, and to make sure you have suitable insurance arrangements in place.

2. Important documents

Some documents are used rarely but become extremely important when you actually need them.

Depending on your circumstances, this might include:

• Wills and other important legal paperwork
• Property deeds
• Bonds and certificates
• Important business documents
• Other original documents that would be difficult or inconvenient to replace

A safe deposit box can provide a dedicated location for documents that you do not need in your everyday filing system.

There is an important practical consideration, though: think about when a document might be needed and who may need access to it.

Something required urgently or unexpectedly may be better kept somewhere immediately accessible. Storage should be planned around your circumstances rather than simply putting every important piece of paperwork into a box.

3. Gold, silver and precious metals

Gold, silver and other precious metals are another common reason people consider a safe deposit box.

Coins, bars and other physical holdings can be relatively compact while representing significant financial value.

Rather than deciding where to keep them around the house, a safe deposit box provides a dedicated location away from your property.

If you are storing precious metals, keeping your own accurate records is important. Britannia recommends maintaining a detailed inventory and photographs or valuations of items where appropriate.

4. Irreplaceable and sentimental possessions

Not everything worth protecting has a large price tag.

In fact, some of the possessions that matter most may have relatively little financial value at all.

They matter because of who they belonged to, what they represent and the memories attached to them.

It might be a watch inherited from a parent or grandparent. A piece of jewellery that has been in the family for generations. Treasured photographs, medals, letters, family keepsakes or another small possession with a story behind it.

These are things that money cannot necessarily replace.

That distinction is important when deciding what to keep in a safe deposit box. Instead of only asking:

“How much is this worth?”

It can be more useful to ask:

“If this disappeared tomorrow, could I ever truly replace it?”

If the answer is no, it may be something you want to give particular thought to protecting.

Because sometimes the things worth protecting most aren’t the things with the highest price tag.

5. Collectables and other valuable items

Collectors can spend years building a collection, and individual pieces may become increasingly important over time.

Depending on their size and suitability for storage, examples might include coins, medals, small antiques or other collectable items.

A collection may also have a personal significance beyond its financial value. Something assembled over decades, inherited from somebody else or connected to a particular passion can be extremely difficult to recreate if it is lost.

Britannia’s own guidance also identifies paintings and antiques among the types of possessions that may be stored, subject to choosing an appropriate box and complying with its terms and conditions.

If you have a collection, it is worth considering not only where you keep it, but also how well you document it.

Keeping photographs, valuations, purchase information and an up-to-date inventory can make managing valuable possessions considerably easier.

What shouldn’t you keep in a safe deposit box?

A safe deposit box is suitable for many possessions, but that does not mean absolutely anything can be stored inside one.

Britannia prohibits illegal items or proceeds of crime, as well as certain hazardous substances and weapons, including firearms and ammunition.

Always check the facility’s current terms and conditions before deciding whether something is suitable for storage.

There is also a practical question to ask yourself:

Will I need immediate access to this item?

Anything you may need urgently at any time should be considered carefully before placing it somewhere that can only be accessed during the facility’s opening hours.

How do you decide what belongs in a safe deposit box?

A useful starting point is to look around your home and consider which belongings fall into one or more of these categories:

• Irreplaceable or deeply sentimental
• Financially valuable
• Difficult to replace
• Connected to your family or personal history
• Used only occasionally
• Important enough that you want a dedicated place to keep them

You may find that the things that matter most are not necessarily the things with the highest monetary value.

For one person, it might be gold or jewellery.

For somebody else, it could be an inherited watch, old family photographs, important documents or a small keepsake that would mean very little to anybody else — but everything to them.

The right contents will be different for everyone.

Choosing the right size safe deposit box

Once you have an idea of what you want to store, the next consideration is how much space you actually need.

Britannia offers a range of safe deposit box sizes, so it is worth considering your current belongings as well as whether you are likely to add more items later.

If you are unsure which size is appropriate, you can discuss your requirements with the Britannia team before opening an account.

Keep a record of what you store

Even when your belongings are kept away from home, maintaining your own records remains important.

Britannia recommends keeping a detailed inventory and, where appropriate, photographs and valuations of the items stored.

You should also consider appropriate insurance for valuable belongings. Keeping something in a safe deposit box should not be treated as a replacement for having suitable insurance cover.

What would you put somewhere this secure?

The things worth protecting aren’t always the things worth the most money.

For some people, it will be gold, jewellery or valuable documents.

For others, it will be an inherited watch, a piece of family jewellery, treasured photographs or a possession that would mean very little to anybody else — but carries a lifetime of memories for them.

Ultimately, deciding what to keep in a safe deposit box comes down to a combination of value, importance and replaceability.

And sometimes financial value is the least important of the three.

If losing something would mean losing a piece of your family history, an important memory or something that simply couldn’t be bought again, that can be just as important a consideration as its monetary value.

If you have possessions that are valuable, difficult to replace or simply irreplaceable to you, you can contact Britannia to discuss your requirements and arrange an appointment.

Frequently asked questions

What should I keep in a safe deposit box?

People commonly use safe deposit boxes for belongings such as jewellery, watches, precious metals, important documents, family heirlooms and collectables. The things you choose to store do not necessarily need to have a high financial value — sentimental and irreplaceable possessions may be equally important to you.

Can I keep sentimental items in a safe deposit box?

Sentimental belongings that are suitable for storage may be considered for a safe deposit box. This could include family jewellery, inherited watches, photographs, medals, letters or other keepsakes that would be difficult or impossible to replace.

Can I keep jewellery in a safe deposit box?

Yes. Britannia lists jewellery among the types of valuables that can be stored in its safe deposit boxes. Consider keeping photographs, valuations and suitable insurance arrangements for valuable pieces.

Can I keep important documents in a safe deposit box?

Documents can be suitable for safe deposit storage, particularly originals that are rarely required. However, consider whether you or somebody else may need immediate access to a particular document before placing it in a safe deposit box.

Can I keep gold in a safe deposit box?

Britannia lists gold and silver among the items its boxes can accommodate. The appropriate box size will depend on what you intend to store.

How do I choose the right size safe deposit box?

Think about what you intend to store now as well as whether you may want to add more belongings in the future. Britannia offers a range of box sizes, and you can discuss your requirements with the team before opening an account.