How to Protect Against Package Theft

As much of the world has shifted toward increasing its online shopping over the last couple of years, more people have also taken to preying on unattended packages. According to a study by Security.org, more than 49 million Americans had at least one package stolen over a 12-month period ending in November 2021. We've gathered some advice to protect yourself against porch pirates, as well as what you can do if you find yourself a victim of package theft.

Preventing Package Theft

There are several measures you can put in place to help keep your deliveries safe:

• Opt in to Tracking Notifications - Most delivery services allow you to sign up for tracking and delivery updates by email or text. Take advantage of these alerts to stay informed on when and where your package is and try to adjust your schedule accordingly when it's set to arrive.
• Provide Specific Delivery Instructions - Give detailed directions about where delivery drivers should leave packages. Instruct them to drop off parcels at a back door, garage or a trusted neighbor's house, rather than in plain sight on your front porch. Alternatively, many shippers give you the option to ship to a store or a secure delivery location, such as Amazon's lockers.
• Increase Security - Security cameras or video doorbells are becoming more affordable and easier to install. These surveillance measures can be a crime deterrent, as most come with the capabilities to check in on your home from your phone, take video and even speak or set off an alarm through the app to stop any would-be thieves.
• Added Layers of Protection - If you're expecting something important, require a signature for delivery to ensure the package won't be left alone. Additionally, you may want to consider shipping insurance sold by postal services, courier companies and shipping insurance companies.

What to Do if Your Package is Stolen

If you do become a victim of package theft, here are a few things you can do:

• Contact the Seller - Reach out to the store or seller and see if you're able to file a claim and ask them to send a replacement.
• Contact the Shipping Company - You can also file a claim with the postal service that delivered your package. Most shipping services have a claim-filing system that may be able to help you track down your package.
• Check Your Credit Card - Some credit cards have purchase protection to cover lost or stolen items. Check with yours to see if it offers this type of coverage and be sure to use your credit card when making online purchases.
• File an Insurance Claim - There's a possibility your homeowners or renters insurance policy may cover mail theft. However, filing a claim only makes sense for high-value packages that are worth more than your policy's deductible.

We hope these tips and tricks will help you protect your deliveries from theft. If you have any questions about what your homeowners or renters insurance policy covers, reach out to one of our friendly Insurance Agents.