Are You Insured Against Porch Pirates? 

Online shopping offers convenience, near-endless choice and great value for the money. Unfortunately, it also comes with a risk: porch pirates. 

The good news? Whether or not you’re insured, there are multiple ways to recover the value of your item. We’ll go into more details below. 

What Is a Porch Pirate? 

A porch pirate is anyone who steals a package (usually an online order) delivered to someone else’s doorstep. It’s a type of theft, and illegal in every state.  

Porch piracy is a relatively common problem. In fact, over $15 billion worth of packages were stolen from American consumers in the last year, according to the 2025 SafeWise Package Theft Report.

Are You Insured Against Porch Pirates? 

Unless you’ve paid for coverage issued by the seller or delivery service, it’s unlikely your package is insured. However, in most cases, you can still get a replacement or a refund — either through the seller, the delivery service or your credit card company.

Homeowners and renters insurance covers stolen packages, but only if the item is worth more than the deductible (typically between $500 and $2,000).

“Homeowners and renters’ policies will cover the theft of items from porch pirates, but the loss would be subject to the deductible and any limits for certain items, such as jewelry,” said Greg Smolan, AAA Northeast’s vice president of insurance operations. “Always look at your policy or speak with an insurance professional.”

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What To Do if Your Package Is Stolen

Whether or not your package was insured, following the steps below will help you recover its value. 

• Track your package. Start by using the tracking number (usually included in the order confirmation email) to ensure the package was received. Packages are sometimes marked as delivered several hours before they arrive. 

• Check with your neighbors. Check that your neighbors didn’t receive the package before reporting it missing. Remember to check behind plants and vehicles — it may have been hidden in a safe place by the delivery driver. 

• Contact the seller. Every seller is different, but in some cases they may be willing to replace or refund the stolen item. Around 35% of stolen packages were purchased from Amazon in 2025, according to the SafeWise report. Amazon requires you check with the carrier first before contacting customer service.
• File a claim with the shipping company. In some cases, sellers may tell you to contact your shipping company, such as FedEx, DHL, United Parcel Service (UPS) or the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). Many companies offer online claim filing, or you can contact them by phone.

• Contact your credit card company. If you paid for 100% of the purchase with a credit card and report the theft within a certain number of days, the credit card company may reimburse you. You’ll likely need to file a police report beforehand. Credit card providers don’t cover high-value items, usually over $500 or $1,000.

• Contact your insurance. If you have homeowners or renters insurance, you can claim it on your insurance. “Filing a claim is a self-choice,” Smolan said, “but some things to think about include the value of the item meeting your deductible, if you’ve filed other claims and how your premium will be impacted moving forward.” 

How To Prevent Porch Pirates

The steps below can save you thousands of dollars and a headache down the line — especially during the holidays, when porch thefts surge. 

Choose a Safe Pickup Spot

If you’re buying from a retailer, consider in-store pickup instead of delivery. You can also send packages to a USPS facility, your local UPS store or an Amazon locker facility. 

Opt-in to Delivery Management

Many services offer shipment update services, so you can track your packages and make sure you’re at home when they arrive. You can also specify if you’d like your package to be signed for in person or left with a neighbor.

Use a Lock Box

Purchase a combination lock box to protect your package until you get home. Include the combination lock code in the delivery instructions. 

Invest in Home Security

Consider installing a doorbell camera or security camera. In some cases, this may be enough to deter thieves — if not, you’ll have evidence when you file a police report or make an insurance claim. 

Consider Insurance

If you’re purchasing a higher-ticket item like a new phone or computer, consider an insurance plan through the seller or delivery service. Homeowners and renters insurance can also help protect you from porch pirates, and some policies extend to protecting items stolen from your vehicle. 

Get a Home Insurance Quote

Have you ever had a package stolen from your doorstep? Tell us in the comments.