340,
Congrats on getting the gun safe. After a couple years, even if you get one with no fire insulation, you'll wonder how you got along without it and as mentioned earlier, in today's society there is a real expectation that you can demonstrate control "in absentia" over your weapons --- its not just a theft issue, it is a liability issue. (And perhaps justly so.)
As always the answer is "it depends"....
I would get some degree of fire protection but not necessarily the highest and most expensive. If your safe is on the second floor of a two story home it will get a lot hotter in a fire than if it is in the basement so consider insulating accordingly.
Though you didn't ask for it, a few other thoughts:
1. Don't use your safe as "furniture" in plain sight for vistors to see. If thieves come knowing there is a gun safe and bring their Makita Grinder with a few cut off blades you WILL lose you guns. Be discrete with the safe, "hide" it --- caution is the better part of valor.
2. Since I hope I've convinced you not to "strut it" now you don't need a fancy finish on the safe and can buy a cheaper one and still get the insulation. The "rough finish" safes are just as strong, cheaper, and won't show a scratch. [Even if they weren't just as strong, if the thieves come unprepared they won't get it open.]
3. I recommend a Sargent and Greenleaf tumbler set.
4. If you are getting a "medium" (400lbs or so) or bigger, then you have a second problem --- those heavier safes are dangerous, if they get away from you (smooth, no handholds, big, cumbersome) it can be a life altering experience. So, if it is a bigger one, then you should be pricing the "package" of safe PLUS delivery by an EXPERIENCED tough delivery man with a "power cart" --- these medium to large safes are too wicked to just wrestle like a refrigerator.
Even a simple 8 inch step can be a major issue. If it has to go up or down wood stairs (say into your basement) then they may have to be reinforced temporarily to be safe. Please do not underestimate what a risky situation can develop if the delivery person is inexperienced/poorly equipped or if clearances are not thoroughly thought out in advance.
5. If you are putting your gun safe in a basement, then your ultimate enemy may not be theft or fire but rather water. Consider building a platform 12" or so high to set the safe up on. High and dry.
6. Have a gun rack of sorts outside of your safe. If you want the rifle in the back, then the best route is to just "take out" everything that is in front of it and having a rack prevents mishaps from having too many guns, standing, laying, leaning around while you go for the one you want.
FWIW, I got a Liberty safe and then pickep up an old, tall "file storage" safe about the same size, installed a new Sargent & Greenleaf tumbler set and was ready to go. Now the guns are all stored seperate from the ammo and ancillary stuff. The "ammo safe" also has room for 3 or 4 rifles that have just been cleaned to stand barrel down (for any oil drain for a few days before returning to their designated spot in the other gun safe.
That is all.
EKM