Porch pirates plundering your parcels? You may already have the protection you need

Explore all your options

Before you set up some Home Alone-style booby traps to protect your future purchases, remember that you’ve got a few other avenues to explore.

Retailers and shipping companies aren’t required by law to give you a refund if the package was delivered properly — but some have more Christmas cheer than others, so it’s worth asking.

If you used plastic to make the purchase, that could come with theft protection of its own. A good credit card might offer you coverage of up to $500 per claim, for example.

However, credit card purchase protection is often considered “secondary coverage,” so it may only take effect after you've exhausted your home insurance.

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Pull out your policy

Standard home insurance policies typically provide you with at least partial coverage for your belongings, both inside and outside your home. That can include items stolen from your car, your hotel room and, yes, your front porch.

Keep in mind that any items you claim will need to be worth more than your deductible. Ritzy jewelry or the latest electronics could fit the bill.

They’ll also need to be expensive enough to be worth risking a hike to your premium.

If your insurer denies your claim or jacks up your rates, that could be the prompt you need to find a better, cheaper provider. Some policies also have higher limits for stolen items, so it pays to compare.