Millions of Americans will be getting everything from packages to groceries delivered to their doorstep this holiday season. But with the threat of “porch pirates,” one startup is set to offer insurance for stolen packages.
PorchPals, a subscription-based startup rolling out nationwide this week, offers coverage of up to $2,000 worth of deliveries or up to three claims per year. The service costs $120 annually.
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It’s part of efforts to lessen the blow when packages are stolen from doorsteps. The personal finance site ValuePenguin estimates nearly half of shoppers can expect to have at least one package taken by porch pirates during the holiday season.
Companies like Amazon often make accommodations for customers who don’t receive their deliveries. While retailers don’t have to provide a replacement or refund, they often do to keep customers happy.
Other companies have offered everything from doorbell cameras and lockboxes to locker rentals as options for people to keep their deliveries safe.
If you want to go the free route, there are options. You can try to be home when the packages are delivered, require a signature for drop-off or set up a pickup for your items at a local warehouse, locker or at the store.
It comes down to convenience and cost.
[JACK AYLMER]
Millions of Americans will be getting everything from packages to groceries delivered to their doorstep this holiday season. But with the threat of so-called “porch pirates,” one start-up is set to offer insurance for stolen packages.
PorchPals, a subscription-based startup rolling out nationwide this week, offers to cover up to $2,000 dollars worth of deliveries, or up to three claims per year, for an annual fee of $120.
It’s part of efforts to accommodate for the risk of packages being stolen from doorsteps. The personal finance site ValuePenguin estimates nearly half of shoppers can expect to have at least one package taken by porch pirates.
Companies do often accommodate for customers not receiving their deliveries. Retailers don’t have to provide a replacement or refund but often do so to keep customers happy.
In addition to the insurance offered by a company like PorchPals, other companies have offered everything from doorbell cameras to lock-boxes to locker rentals as options for people to keep their deliveries safe.
If you want to go the free route, though…
You can try to be home when the packages are delivered, require a signature for drop-off, or set up a pickup for your items at a local warehouse, a locker, or in-store. It comes down to convenience and cost.
For Straight Arrow News, I’m Jack Aylmer.
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