Yes good point, thanks. I'm aware that the relevant EIA RS-232-C specification mandates -15 < V- < -3V and 3V < V+ < 15V.
I have not seen anything produced in the last 5 years that actually had much more then 5V swing, though.
To be clear, I'll be using the thing for modern electronics, not legacy devices. That means I'm fine with either 3.3V or 5V TTL signal levels, not fine with anything above 6V and negative voltages with respect to common ground.