Porch Pirates in the PNW: Are Your Packages Protected?

Whether you live in Everett or Enumclaw, you know how much of a pain your local porch pirate can be. After placing your latest order for Labubus, you probably whispered a quick prayer to the Puget Sound gods, hoping for some “clean sailing” when it comes to your delivery. Unfortunately, up here in the PNW, and in Seattle specifically, package theft is  almost as common as coffee shops. 

But here’s the slightly better news: in Washington, your homeowners or renters insurance may help when Captain Cardboard Jacker strikes. You just need to know how the coverage actually works. That’s what this guide from Vern Fonk Insurance is for — so be sure to read on and see how you can get a porch pirate insurance quote today! 

How Home and Renters Insurance Cover Package Theft

Your typical homeowners and renters insurance policies in the PNW treat stolen packages as a “theft of personal property” — basically, it’s the same as if someone broke in and stole something off your kitchen table. Think of it like porch pirate insurance that’s already built into your policy. Most policies are going to give you coverage for belongings inside and outside your home, and that includes your doorstep and even your vehicle (note that the theft of belongings from your vehicle actually falls under your homeowners or renters policy, not your auto policy). 

In plain English: “If someone swipes a package off your porch in Tacoma, it usually falls under the same coverage that would apply if they broke in and stole your TV.” 

The Role of Personal Property Coverage

Tens of millions of packages get scooped up every year in the United States, and one Office of the Inspector General report from 2024 estimates that this equaled nearly $16 billion in merchandise. Oof. On your policy, the part that responds to porch pirates is usually called Personal Property (or “Coverage C” on homeowners policies). There’s some fine print here, though: 

1. The package has to be your property. That means that if it’s still owned by the seller (such as with business shipments or consignment), things get a bit murkier in the policy language. But for your everyday Amazon delivery, this should be fine, even for renters’ insurance theft situations.

2. Some policies will pay the replacement cost (what it costs to buy it new today). Others pay actual cash value (replacement cost minus depreciation). You should know which applies to you.

3. If you’re running a side hustle in your Spokane bungalow and a porch pirate makes off with $1,500 of inventory, that might fall under special, lower limits for business property at home. Ask your agent before you order 40 pairs of drop-shipped Crocs to your front door.

When Your Porch Pirate Insurance May Not Have Package Theft Coverage

There are also some reasons that your homeowners’ insurance theft protection might not cover your stolen property. Some examples include the value of the shipment being below your deductible, prior reimbursement from the shipper, high-value items, or if you’ve bought overlapping coverage from some other service. 

Limits and Deductibles to Know

Here’s a short and sweet rule when using your porch pirate insurance: $150 stolen Bluetooth speaker? Probably not worth a claim. $1,800 gaming PC? Maybe worth it, depending on your deductible (what you pay first before insurance helps) and claim history. Most policies will usually be in the $500 to $2000 range, depending on the policy you purchased (again, check the fine print). 

On the limits side: This is usually a percentage of your dwelling limit on homeowners (often 50%–70%) or a fixed number on renters. Make sure that the number actually reflects what it would cost to replace your stuff, plus all the cardboard boxes to which you’re emotionally attached. 

How To File a Claim for a Stolen Package

Okay, the worst has happened, and it’s time to file a claim for stolen packages. Your tracking shows “Delivered,” your porch is bare, and your Ring cam simply displays 12 straight minutes of rain hitting the lens. Now what?  

Step one: Make sure that the delivery actually happened and that your package dropper didn’t just report it delivered. If no luck, and something high-value got stolen, that’s a good time to go ahead and file a claim. Many insurers (and retailers) will want a police report for theft claims, even if Seattle PD can’t send an entire task force to track down your missing Instant Pot. 

What Documentation You’ll Need

Here’s a short list of what you’re going to need when you go to file a claim (obviously, though, talk to your claims processor to know for sure): 

• Order confirmation: Includes item description, the original purchase price, and when you bought it.

• Tracking details: Ideally, this needs to show “delivered” to rule out other causes.

• Photos or video evidence: If you have a doorbell cam showing the thief in action, that’s great. If nothing else, though, showing the package present and then not there is good enough.

• Police report: Most reports have a case number, responding officer, and other details — all that is necessary for your insurer to process the claim.

Prevention Tips to Outsmart Porch Pirates

Porch piracy is very much a crime of opportunity, and Seattle’s high delivery volume plus all those half-covered, kind-of-private porches make it extra tempting. The good news? You can make your front steps a less attractive target without turning your Capitol Hill triplex into Fort Knox. 

Smart Cameras and Secure Lockboxes

Security experts consistently point to visible cameras and doorbells as one of the most effective deterrents. Even if they don’t stop every thief, they can help with claims and police reports. As for lockboxes, they can hide packages from the view on the street and keep most opportunists away. Just double-check that your HOA or landlord doesn’t mind you bolting one to the front porch. 

Alternate Delivery Options

You can also shrink the time packages sit alone on your stoop with Amazon lockers, UPS access points, FedEx office locations, or have packages shipped to work. Some other options include scheduling deliveries for when you know you’ll be home. Think of it as playing “keep-away” with thieves, except the prize is your new espresso machine. 

Protect Your Packages and Your Wallet with Vern Fonk

With Vern Fonk’s porch pirate insurance options, you can’t control every hoodie-wearing porch bandit roaming your neighborhood, but you can control how well you’re protected when your packages go missing. We’re here to help with stress-free homeowners insurance, renters insurance, and more. Give us a call at (800) 455-8276, visit us today, or get started with your customized online quote for all your Pacific Northwest insurance needs! 

FAQs

Does Insurance Cover Stolen Amazon or UPS Packages?

Often, yes, Amazon “theft coverage” is part of the policy. In Washington, standard homeowners and renters policies generally cover theft of personal property, including packages stolen from your porch, as long as the value is high enough to exceed your deductible. Amazon and some retailers may also reimburse you under programs like the A-to-Z Guarantee, so always start there first. 

Is There a Deductible for Package Theft Claims?

Yep. Package theft claims usually fall under your standard property deductible, which might be $500, $1,000, or more, depending on your policy. 

Will Filing a Claim Raise My Premium?

It can. Any claim, including theft, may affect your future premiums or eligibility, especially if you file multiple claims over a few years. That’s why many people only use insurance for larger losses (like a stolen $1,500 laptop, not a missing $30 pack of socks). 

What’s the Best Way to Prevent Porch Theft?

Reduce porch time, add visible security, and use alerts and signatures for high-value items. No guarantees, of course. But a little bit of security can go a long way without breaking the bank. 

Does Renters Insurance Cover Theft Outside My Door? 

Typically, yes. Renters insurance in Washington usually covers your belongings inside and outside your rental, including packages swiped from the doorstep or from your car, subject to your deductible and policy limits.