Don’t be a victim of package thefts from your home or vehicle

With numerous great holiday shopping deals both in stores and online, the potential for package theft from your home or car increases. Holiday shopping is off to a strong start this year as a record 200.4 million consumers shopped between Thanksgiving Day and Cyber Monday, according to an annual survey by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics.

“Unless you’re careful, porch pirates, and smash and grab car break-ins can dampen your holiday season,” said Robert Passmore, department vice president, personal lines, for the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA).

If you suspect that a package was stolen from your porch, follow these simple steps: 1. Attempt to track the shipment of the item through the delivery company to ensure it was delivered and if the delivery service will reimburse you.

2. If the package was delivered and the delivery company will not provide reimbursement, your next step may be to contact the retailer to see if they will replace the item or reimburse you for the loss.

3. File a police report of the theft. 4. If you purchased the package with a credit card, check to see if they provide purchase protection and will reimburse you for the loss.

5. If the item is of high value, you can claim the loss with your homeowners insurer. However, your deductible will apply.

Thieves often target vehicles or packages that are stored in cars as shoppers race from store to store during the holiday season, follow these tips to avoid becoming a victim of theft: 1. Don’t leave bags and packages in plain sight in your car. Hide your purchases or put them in the trunk.

2. Park in well-lit areas and lock your doors. 3. Never leave your car running. 4. Don’t leave keyless entry fobs in the car. 5. If packages are stolen from your car and their value is high enough, you may want to file a claim with your homeowners insurance. However, your deductible will apply.