The hotel room safe looks reassuring. It’s bolted inside a closet or tucked into a cabinet, and a digital keypad promises to keep your valuables protected while you’re away. But a hotel safe isn’t the same as a bank safe deposit box, and placing expensive belongings inside doesn’t guarantee they’ll be protected against theft, damage, or loss. Hotel policies, insurance exclusions, and the safe’s actual condition can all influence what happens if something disappears. Before locking away your passport, jewelry, cash, or electronics, there are seven things worth checking.