Some retailers offering package protection, but is it worth it?

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A growing number of retailers are offering consumers a new option when they check out online: order protection, sometimes called package protection. So, what does it cover, and is it worth your money?

An Action News viewer reached out to the Troubleshooters to find out if the new fee at checkout is a waste of money.

"All of a sudden, I would go to make a purchase, and there it would be," said Carolyn Vachani of Merion Station. They make you feel like, if I don't do this, I'm gonna be stuck."

These protection fees are generally supposed to insure against lost, stolen or damaged deliveries, and they typically range from $2 to $10.

Some retailers are now adding this as a required part of your purchase.

But if you have a choice, we talked to Kevin Brasler with Consumers' Checkbook, who advised you to save your money.

"If you're paying with a credit card, you're generally covered automatically from the biggest risks when packages are shipped to you," said Brasler. "So, if it never arrives, well, you're not responsible for that charge on your credit card. If what was sent to you arrives broken, you're not responsible for it."

Thanks to the Federal Fair Credit Billing Act, you can dispute the charge with your credit card company and usually get your money back.

However, according to Consumers' Checkbook, while the law protects against the merchant failing to send you your products, it does not necessarily cover package theft.

So, if your items get stolen by a porch pirate, that's where package protection could come in handy.

"But I think there are better solutions for dealing with package theft," said Brasler. "If that's a problem in your neighborhood, have stuff delivered to a locker or to one of these facilities that take packages and hold them for FedEx or UPS."

You can also require a signature upon delivery.

And of course, those options are free.

Also, a heads up to get money back from these protection policies. You do have to file a claim, often with back-up documentation and some policies even require proof of a police report.