Poll Finds Many Fail to Protect Their Deliveries from Package Thieves

SEATTLE, Nov. 14, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- These days, Northwest consumers can get just about anything shipped to their home or office with the click of a button. But while many can relate to the excitement of getting a delivery in the mail, a new poll from PEMCO Insurance finds that nearly half of residents here also have shared the experience of having a package stolen from their home. But despite those disheartening discoveries, many say they don't do anything to protect their deliveries from thieves.

According to the PEMCO Insurance Northwest Poll, the vast majority of residents in Washington and Oregon (94 percent) order items online. But when it comes time to receive their mailed deliveries, many say they don't always arrive: almost half of respondents (48 percent) have had a delivery stolen from their household. Some folks (8 percent) say they have their items swiped often.

Despite the reality of package theft, the poll found that residents take a relaxed approach to protecting their deliveries. Of those who take action, most (38 percent) say they combat thieves by making sure someone's at home to receive the delivery, while others (18 percent) install some form of security technology to guard against thieves, and 15 percent allocate an inconspicuous space or container to hide items.

But the poll also found one in four recipients (28 percent) don't do anything at all to protect their deliveries from theft.

"We were surprised to find that so many people take the risk of leaving their packages unprotected, even though a significant number of residents have had something stolen from them," said PEMCO Spokesperson Derek Wing. "And while some folks have taken steps to thwart would-be 'porch pirates,' these results suggest many of us could do more to protect our deliveries."

In time for some of the busiest delivery days of the year, PEMCO offers a few steps consumers can take to keep porch pirates at bay:

• Instruct shippers to deliver packages to a specific location hidden from plain sight. For example, "inside the carport" or "behind the planter box."
• Require a signature before packages can be left. Just realize that if you're not there to sign, you'll need to work with the shipping company to reschedule delivery.
• Install a lockbox on your front porch or use other technology-enabled security devices to keep your packages safe until you get home.
• Ship your order to a trusted neighbor who you know will be home during delivery hours.
• Or, if your employer permits it, use your work address rather than your home address for deliveries.

"Don't give porch pirates any easy targets," Wing said. "By planning ahead and taking some preventive steps to outsmart thieves, you can enjoy all the benefits of online shopping without any of the headaches that can come with stolen packages."

For a complete summary of PEMCO's poll results, visit www.pemco.com/poll, where you'll find the responses collected by FBK Research of Seattle in June 2018.

About the PEMCO Insurance Northwest Poll
PEMCO Insurance commissioned this independent survey, conducted by FBK Research of Seattle, that asked Washington and Oregon residents questions about driving habits and attitudes toward current Northwest issues. The sample size, 600 respondents in Washington and 600 in Oregon, yields an accuracy of +/- 4.1 percent at the 95 percent confidence level. In other words, if this study were conducted 100 times, in 95 instances the data will not vary by more than the associated error range.

About PEMCO Insurance
PEMCO Insurance is a true Northwest company providing auto, home, and boat insurance to our neighbors since 1949. Consistently ranked highest in customer satisfaction, people are the heart of our business. They can depend on us to anticipate and support their changing needs. PEMCO is committed to serving organizations that positively impact our local communities. We were started by a Seattle schoolteacher and stay true to our roots by focusing on nonprofits and organizations that support youth, education, and public safety. To learn more, visit www.pemco.com.

CONTACTS:

Derek Wing
PEMCO Insurance
206.628.4622
[email protected]

Kristi Herriott
Firmani + Associates Inc.
206.443.9357
[email protected]

SOURCE PEMCO Insurance

Related Links

http://www.pemco.com