46% of Americans Have Been Porch Pirate Victims

This year, 95% of holiday shoppers will do at least some of their shopping online, making them potential targets for porch pirates looking to steal packages, according to a survey by Insurify. 

As shoppers increasingly rely on online shopping, package theft has also increased. In fact, nearly half (46%) of those surveyed reported experiencing package theft before, and 32% said it occurs multiple times each year. 

Understandably, package theft increases around the holidays, and about 49% of Cyber Monday shoppers said they’ve had a package stolen. Additionally, data shows that online searches about stolen packages consistently spike every December.  

So, how much are Americans losing from porch pirate crimes? The majority (82%) reported having lost out on a delivery worth $100 or more, and 20% stated that the most valuable package they had stolen was worth more than $500. 

When asked what their biggest holiday home concerns were, package theft topped the list: 

1. Package theft (28%) 
2. Break-ins while traveling (26%) 
3. Burst pipes or water damage from freezing (22%) 
4. Fires from decorations, candles or cooking (10%) 
5. Slips or injuries on their property (e.g., guests, delivery drivers) (16%) 

Here are some ways to prevent porch pirates from striking this holiday season: 

• Track packages closely to know when they’ll be delivered. Retrieve them as soon as possible to decrease thieves’ window of opportunity. 
• Get packages delivered to secure pickup locations, like lockers, lockboxes, delivery hubs, etc. A trusted neighbor, family member or friend can also be helpful.  
• Install a video doorbell. Porch pirates who know they’re being recorded may be less inclined to steal, and video proof of the crime can be beneficial.