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Quiz: What Do You Know About Safe Deposit Boxes?

When — and when not — to use them

By
AARP
 
Published March 13, 2025
safe deposit boxes
Sarah Rogers (Getty 1)

 This quiz was created with the assistance of generative AI. It was reviewed by editors before publication.

Question 1 of 10

What is the primary reason the contents of a safe deposit box are not insured by the FDIC?

Banks also do not provide insurance for the contents, meaning you must get a separate insurance policy to cover valuable items stored in the box.

Question 2 of 10

What should you do if you want someone else to have access to your safe deposit box?

Simply giving someone the key and passcode might not be enough, as many banks will still deny access if the person isn’t a joint renter on the lease.

Question 3 of 10

What could happen if you don’t pay your safe deposit box rental fees?

The bank also may charge you for drilling costs and penalties.

Question 4 of 10

Why is it not recommended to store certain items like passports or credit cards in a safe deposit box?

Safe deposit boxes are not accessible 24/7.

Question 5 of 10

Are safe deposit box rental fees tax-deductible?

However, if the box is used for business purposes, it might still be deductible as a business expense.

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Question 6 of 10

What happens to a safe deposit box after the owner dies?

Family members may not have immediate access to important documents stored inside the box.

Question 7 of 10

Which of these items are typically prohibited from being stored in a safe deposit box?

It’s important to check with your bank about their specific list of prohibited items.

Question 8 of 10

Is it possible for a safe deposit box to be stolen or broken into?

If a bank is robbed or there’s a security breach, it’s possible the boxes could be accessed and their contents stolen.

Question 9 of 10

Can law enforcement access a safe deposit box without the owner’s permission?

This is often done if law enforcement suspects illegal activity or if it is investigating a criminal case.

Question 10 of 10

Why are some banks discontinuing safe deposit box services?

High costs, limited income from rental fees, employee training expenses and liability concerns are leading to the trend.

You have unanswered questions. Please go back and complete those questions to finish the quiz.

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