CR 04 12–SAFE DEPOSITORY

(February 2026)

INTRODUCTION

This endorsement is intended for businesses providing safe deposit box services to their customers. It is not available to financial institutions.

This analysis is of the 06 22 edition. Material changes are bolded, but format changes that do not affect coverage are not highlighted.

ELIGIBILITY

This endorsement can be added to the Insurance Services Office (ISO) Commercial Crime Coverage Form or Policy.

SCHEDULE

The endorsement schedule comprises designated fields for entering details related to the following two coverages. Completion of the information is required for the coverage to be effective. 

Customers’ Property–In Safe Deposit Boxes

There are fields to input the Premises Address, Limit of Insurance per Occurrence, and Deductible Amount per Occurrence.

Robbery or Burglary of Customers’ Property–Premises Damage.

There are fields to input the Premises Address, Limit of Insurance per Occurrence, and Deductible Amount per Occurrence.

ANALYSIS

This is an endorsement to the ISO Commercial Crime Coverage Form or Policy and is subject to their conditions, definitions, and exclusions. The only changes are those within this endorsement.

INSURING AGREEMENT

Section A. Insuring Agreements of the policy or coverage form now include the following:

Safe Depository

1. Loss of Customers’ Property–In Safe Deposit Boxes

This coverage pays for loss of or damage to customers’ property but only if the insured is legally liable.

Coverage is limited to when the property is in any of the following:

a. A safe deposit box located within a vault on the premises.

b. Stored within the vault located inside the premises.

c. Outside the safe deposit box or vault, but still within the premises. This applies only temporarily while items are being placed into or removed from the safe deposit box or vault.

The insured might face legal action for refusing to pay for loss of or damage to customers’ property. If the insured has the insurance company’s written approval to defend the case, the insurer will cover reasonable defense expenses. These expenses are paid in addition to the limit of insurance indicated on the schedule.

Examples:

A customer deposits money and securities into a safe deposit box. These items are missing the next time the customer opens the box. This loss could be covered under Loss of Customers’ Property–In Safe Deposit Boxes.

A customer sends an employee to remove items from its safety deposit box. The employee never returns and is presumed to have stolen the items. There is no coverage because the safe depository is not legally liable.

2. Robbery or Burglary of Customers’ Property–Premises Damage

This coverage covers loss of or damage to customers’ property caused directly by attempted or actual burglary or robbery, including damage or destruction. It applies regardless of the insured’s legal liability.

a. Coverage applies only when the property is in any of the following:

·         A safe deposit box located within a vault inside the premises.

·         Stored within the vault located inside the premises.

·         Outside the safe deposit box or vault, but still within the premises. This applies only temporarily while items are being placed into or removed from the safe deposit box or vault.

b. Coverage also includes loss caused by damage to the premises or its exterior due to an attempted or actual burglary or robbery. This coverage only applies if the named insured owns the premises or is responsible for any damage to the premises.

c. Loss of or damage to locked safe deposit boxes, safes, or vaults inside the premises is also covered if caused by an attempted or actual burglary or robbery.

Example: Burglars break down the insured’s door, blast open the vault, and steal customers’ property. Coverage applies to damage to the door, the vault, and the stolen customer property.

LIMIT OF INSURANCE AND DEDUCTIBLE

A per occurrence limit and deductible should be specified for the chosen coverage, whether it is Loss of Customers’ Property - In Safe Deposit Boxes, Robbery or Burglary of Customers' Property – Premises Damage, or both. 

The insurance company does not pay until the loss exceeds the deductible amount on the endorsement schedule. Once the loss exceeds the deductible, payments are made until the limit is reached or the loss is satisfied, whichever comes first.

EXCLUSIONS

1. Applicable to All Insuring Agreements:

Acts Committed by Your Employees, ERISA Plan Officials, Managers, Directors, Trustees, or Representatives, and Legal Fees, Costs, and Expenses do not apply to Loss of Customers’ Property–In Safe Deposit Boxes. 

2. Applicable to Specific Insuring Agreements: 

Three exclusions are added.

Assumption of Liability

This exclusion specifically applies to Loss of Customers’ Property–In Safe Deposit Boxes. It applies when loss occurs from the named insured assuming liability through a written agreement.

Fire

This exclusion specifically applies to Robbery or Burglary of Customers’ Property–Premises Damage. It excludes loss of or damage to property caused by fire. However, loss or damage by fire to safe deposit boxes, safes, or vaults is covered. 

Inherent Vice

This exclusion specifically applies to Robbery or Burglary of Customers’ Property–Premises Damage. It excludes loss of or damage to property resulting from wear and tear, inherent vice, gradual deterioration, insects, or animals. 

CONDITIONS

1. Applicable to All Insuring Agreements:

Records

The Records Condition stipulated in the Coverage Form or Policy is not applicable to this insuring agreement.  

Ownership of Property: Interests Covered

The following condition completely replaces the Ownership of Property: Interests Covered Condition in the Coverage Form or Policy:

The insuring agreement covers property belonging to the named insured’s customers. Coverage applies only if the property is in a safe deposit box, on the premises, or in the insured’s possession.

This insurance is exclusively for the benefit of the insured and does not provide benefits or rights to any other entities or individuals, including the insured’s customers. Claims for covered losses under these insuring agreements must be submitted by the named insured. 

NOTE: This coverage is for the benefit of the named insured as a first-party coverage. It is not third-party liability coverage. Only the named insured, who must meet all conditions specified in the coverage form or policy, can file a claim.

2. Applicable to Specific Insuring Agreements: 

Bankruptcy

This additional condition states that the insurance company is not relieved of its obligations under the insuring agreements even if the named insured or its estate becomes insolvent or bankrupt.

DEFINITIONS

The following definitions are added to F. Definitions in the Coverage Form or Policy.

Burglary

The meaning of burglary depends on the location of the items. If the items are within a locked safe deposit box inside a locked vault, it refers to property taken by someone who unlawfully enters both the box and the vault. No evidence of forcible entry is necessary.

If the items are not in a safe deposit box but stored inside a locked vault, it means property taken by someone unlawfully entering the vault. There must be evidence of forcible entry on the outside of the vault.

Customers’ property

Customers’ property has two meanings: