If you do a lot of online shopping during the holiday or year-round, be aware of the growing threat of package theft. Package thieves, also known as “porch pirates,” have become so brazen that some will even tail delivery drivers to swoop up packages the minute they are gone. In a recent year, over 260 million packages were stolen across the U.S., costing consumers millions of dollars.
Here are some tips to keep your packages safe from being ripped off:
Hide The Goods
A simple way to avoid theft is by making sure thieves can’t find your package. Leave instructions for delivery personnel to hide your package behind a fence, bench, shrub, or planter to be hidden from package thieves.
Use a Lockbox
These days, a host of lockbox options offer varying degrees of security for package deliveries. They range from extra-large post-mounted mailboxes and sturdy metal cabinets to fancy expandable doormats that transform into package receptacles with a combination lock. Choose what works for you and tell your delivery service how to use your setup.
Sign For Your Packages
If you can, a simple way to keep your packages safe without any extra technology is to request that they require a signature. If you plan to be home when your delivery arrives and sign in person, it doesn’t allow package thieves to steal your items.
Install Security Cameras
While cameras cannot prevent theft, they can undoubtedly deter thieves and help the police identify the culprit after the fact. Good options include those that are motion-activated and connected to your phone. This feature lets you get real-time alerts when someone is on your property. Some home security systems even have the option to turn on a siren or engage in two-way communication to scare off an intruder.
Consider Personal Insurance
When your property is stolen from your home by a porch pirate, this is covered by personal insurance. Most individual insurance, including renters and homeowners insurance, cover property theft. If you are only missing a dog toy you ordered, you may not want to file a claim, but having personal insurance coverage can protect you from the financial losses of expensive items.
Track Your Deliveries
Take advantage of online package tracking and plan to be home or nearby when your package arrives. You could ask a friend or neighbor for help picking up the goods and storing them safely until you return.
Arrange a Pick-Up Location
Maybe your home isn’t the ideal place to have an expensive item delivered. Why not use one of the many pick-up locations available? Often, big-box stores and online merchants have lockers, counters, or stations at the Post Office where packages can be retrieved. Check out what is available in your area, and have it delivered to one of these secure areas, where it will be stored until you arrive to pick it up.
Don’t let Porch Pirates Ruin Your Day—Protect Yourself with Insurance.
Personal property theft still happens even with cameras, lock boxes, and GPS tracking systems. Whether it’s your latest online purchase or an expensive item for your home, you can protect your financial health with personal insurance coverage. No matter how brazen thieves become, with the right insurance policy, you can have peace of mind that you are safe from unnecessary financial losses and the hassle of trying to resolve a stolen package.
Contact us for more information about individual insurance and how it can cover property theft losses. Our agents would be more than happy to answer your questions about the types of personal insurance that suit your budget and lifestyle.