You might be surprised to learn SIPC insurance is quite irrelevant when it comes to asset protection. In fact it has seldom been used over the 42 years it has been available. Simply put there are exceptionally few cases where investors have lost money due to a brokerage firm going out of business.

Is it safe to keep more than $500000 in a brokerage account?

Bottom line. The SIPC is a federally-mandated, private non-profit that insures up to $500,000 in cash and securities per ownership capacity, including up to $250,000 in cash. If you have multiple accounts of a different type with one brokerage, you may be insured for up to $500,000 for each account.

Is SIPC backed by the government?

No. SIPC is not an agency or establishment of the United States Government. SIPC is a non-profit membership corporation created under the Securities Investor Protection Act.