Not less than two major automotive insurers are refusing to guard certain Kia and Hyundai models because they lack anti-theft common in today’s cars, based on reports.
Each State Farm and Progressive confirmed with CNN that they now not write policies for some Kia and Hyundai models manufactured between 2015-2019.
In September 2022, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, or IHHS, and Highway Loss Data Institute reported that vehicle theft claims for 2015-19 Hyundai and Kia vehicles were nearly twice as common because the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat.
“Automobile theft spiked in the course of the pandemic,” HLDI Senior Vice President Matt Moore said within the report. “These numbers tell us that some vehicles could also be targeted because they’re fast or value lots of money, and others because they’re easy to steal.”
The report also noted that the Hyundai and Kia vehicles being stolen lack electronic mobilizers that may hinder a thief’s ability to steal a automotive from just breaking into the automotive and bypassing the ignition. Once immobilizers were added to the cars, Moore said, vehicle thefts of Kias and Hyundais “plunged.”
The report also notes that immobilizers were standard in 26 percent of Kia and Hyundai vehicle models in 2015, but standard in 96 percent of all other manufacturers.
State Farm and Progressive didn’t immediately reply to inquiries looking for additional information concerning the claims.
In a press release to CNN, State Farm confirmed the temporary halting of writing insurance policies in some states for some Kia and Hyundai model years and trim levels.
Progressive also confirmed with CNN that they were making changes. In some areas, Progressive is increasing rates and limiting the sale of latest insurance policies for many who have Kias and Hyundais that fit throughout the slot of vehicles which can be at substantial risk.
Kia and Hyundai vehicle thefts are up as much as 300% over the past two years in some cities.
Videos posted on social media show people the way to start the vehicles without keys, but as a substitute with the tip of a phone charger or USB cable, and the trend has prompted juveniles across the U.S. to attempt to steal Kia and Hyundai vehicles to go for a joyride.
The manufacturers are working through the thefts, with Hyundai offering steering wheel locks through municipalities like Clearwater, Florida.
One other fix making the rounds was created by the Suntrup Automotive Group in St. Louis, Missouri, involving a redesigned off-the-shelf Bluetooth switch that could possibly be hardwired to the automotive to immobilize the ignition.
