Example of How FDIC Bank Insurance Limits Works

The limits of FDIC insurance is one of the most misunderstood forms of financial guarantee in the US, even amongst banking personnel. the short answer is always "FDIC insurance is limited to $250,000 per person, but this is not accurate.

Each person can avail themselves of $250,000 of insurance per banking category, as outlined by the FDIC. Those categories include individual accounts, joint accounts, assets held for others in pay on death accounts, certain types of retirement savings accounts, and several others. A single person, with assets spread over a number of qualified accounts, could theoretically have $500,000, $750,000, or even $1 million insured in bank deposits.

Compete Risk Free with $100,000 in Virtual Cash
Put your trading skills to the test with our FREE Stock Simulator. Compete with thousands of Investopedia traders and trade your way to the top! Submit trades in a virtual environment before you start risking your own money. Practice trading strategies so that when you're ready to enter the real market, you've had the practice you need. Try our Stock Simulator today >>