Vault & Storage
Insurance.
Specialist insurance considerations for valuable assets held within vaults, secure storage facilities, warehouses and other controlled locations.
Valuable assets require controlled environments.
Vaults, secure warehouses and specialist storage facilities can hold significant concentrations of valuable assets. The insurance assessment can therefore involve the physical premises, security controls, custody arrangements, access procedures and the value and nature of the assets being held.
Storage arrangements may also form part of a wider asset journey involving acquisition, processing, transportation, temporary custody and eventual delivery.
Valuable assets held in secure storage.
The assets that may be considered depend on their nature, value, ownership, custody structure, storage environment and applicable underwriting requirements.
Gold & Bullion
Eligible gold bars, bullion coins and other valuable precious metal holdings maintained within approved storage arrangements.
Precious Metals
Gold, silver, platinum, palladium and qualifying refined metal inventories held under controlled custody.
Precious Stones
Diamonds, gemstones, loose stones and other eligible high-value stone inventories requiring secure storage.
Jewellery
Eligible jewellery inventories and high-value pieces held by jewellers, dealers, manufacturers or custodians.
Cash & Valuables
Qualifying cash, valuable documents and other physical assets requiring controlled storage and access procedures.
Specialist Assets
Other qualifying high-value assets where secure premises and specialist custody arrangements are required.
Understanding where storage exposure can arise.
A storage risk assessment can consider both the physical facility and the processes used to protect, control and account for valuable assets.
Physical Security
Building construction, perimeter controls, secure areas, doors, barriers and other physical security measures.
Access Control
Procedures governing who can enter secure areas and how access is authorized, recorded and reviewed.
Surveillance
CCTV, monitoring, alarm systems and other security technologies may form part of the overall facility controls.
Custody & Inventory
Asset registers, custody records, reconciliation procedures and controlled movement can be important considerations.
Fire & Environmental Risk
Fire protection, environmental controls, building systems and emergency procedures can influence the facility risk.
Concentration Risk
Maximum values, asset concentration and accumulation within a single facility can be relevant to underwriting.
From receiving to final release.
Valuable assets can pass through several controlled stages while being held in a secure storage environment.
Receiving
Verify incoming assets and documentation.
Verification
Record identity, value and custody details.
Secure Storage
Place assets within designated secure areas.
Monitoring
Maintain appropriate surveillance and controls.
Release
Authorize movement through documented procedures.
Transfer
Complete final custody and delivery records.
Different facilities can have different risk profiles.
The physical location, purpose, security model and operational procedures of a storage facility can all be relevant to the insurance assessment.
Specialist Vaults
Dedicated secure environments designed for valuable assets, with controlled access and specialist security infrastructure.
Secure Warehouses
Commercial storage facilities holding valuable inventory under defined security and custody procedures.
Bullion Storage
Facilities designed to hold bullion and precious-metal inventories with appropriate custody controls.
Financial Facilities
Eligible facilities operated by financial or commercial organizations with valuable physical assets.
Jewellery Storage
Secure environments used for jewellery, gemstones and high-value merchandise.
Third-Party Custody
Storage arrangements where valuable assets are held by an independent custodian or specialist service provider.
The right information helps explain the facility and exposure.
Information requirements vary by risk. A detailed submission can help insurers understand the premises, assets, values, security arrangements and operational controls.
Facility Information
- Facility location and purpose
- Building construction and layout
- Secure areas and access arrangements
- Security systems and monitoring
- Fire protection and emergency procedures
- Operating hours and staffing
Asset & Operational Information
- Types of assets stored
- Typical and maximum values
- Ownership and custody arrangements
- Inventory and reconciliation procedures
- Movement and release controls
- Previous loss or claims information
Building a structured approach to storage security.
Insurance can form one part of a broader risk-management framework. Physical security, technology, people and operational procedures should work together around the assets being protected.
Layered Security
Combine perimeter, building, secure-area and access controls appropriate to the facility and assets.
Controlled Access
Define authorized personnel, access permissions and procedures for entering sensitive areas.
CCTV & Monitoring
Maintain suitable surveillance, alarm and monitoring systems according to the facility's requirements.
Inventory Controls
Keep accurate records and perform appropriate reconciliations for assets held within the facility.
Emergency Planning
Establish procedures for fire, security incidents, system failures and other relevant emergencies.
Custody Procedures
Document receiving, movement, release and transfer of valuable assets between authorized parties.
Explore related insurance solutions.
Vault & Storage Insurance FAQs.
What is vault and storage insurance?
Vault and storage insurance refers to insurance arrangements that may address specified risks involving eligible assets while they are held within an insured storage environment. The actual scope depends on the applicable insurer, policy wording, limits, conditions and exclusions.
What assets can potentially be stored under a specialist policy?
Depending on the insurer and risk profile, arrangements may consider bullion, precious metals, gemstones, jewellery, cash and other eligible high-value physical assets.
What security information may an insurer require?
Requirements vary, but may include information about physical security, access controls, CCTV, alarms, monitoring, staffing, custody procedures, fire protection and emergency arrangements.
Does the value of assets affect the insurance assessment?
Yes. The nature and value of the assets, including typical and maximum concentrations, can be relevant to underwriting and policy limits.
Can third-party storage facilities be considered?
Certain third-party custody and storage arrangements may be considered depending on the facility, contractual structure, security controls, asset type and applicable underwriting terms.
Does insurance replace physical security?
No. Insurance and physical risk management serve different purposes. Appropriate security, access control, monitoring, custody and inventory procedures remain important considerations.
Can storage and transit exposures be considered together?
Depending on the insurance structure, storage and transit exposures may be addressed through related or coordinated arrangements. The applicable policy wording determines the actual scope of protection.
Does this page guarantee that stored assets will be covered?
No. This page provides general information only. Whether a particular asset or storage facility can be insured depends on the insurer, underwriting assessment, policy wording, limits, conditions, exclusions and applicable jurisdiction.
Discuss Your Storage Risk.
Provide details about your facility, assets, maximum values, custody arrangements and security controls so the storage risk can be considered in context.