CNN
—
The two largest auto insurers in the U.S., Progressive and State Farm, have taken out policies in certain cities for some older Hyundai and Kia models that were deemed too easy to steal, according to the companies. refusing to tie.
According to some reports, companies have stopped offering insurance for these vehicles in cities including: Denver, Colorado When St. Louis, Missouri. The insurer did not tell CNN which cities or states were involved.
The Highway Loss Data Institute released insurance claims data last September to see what various social media accounts were doing. Say: Some Hyundai and Kia models from 2015 to 2019 are about twice as likely to be stolen as other vehicles of the same age. because Many of them lack some of the basic automotive anti-theft technology that was included in most other vehicles of the time. According to HLDI.
Specifically, these SUVs and cars do not have electronic immobilizers. It relies on a computer chip in the car and another in the key to communicate to make sure the key really belongs to that vehicle. Without the proper key, an immobilizer would have to do it. In other words, stop the movement of the car.
According to HLDI, 96% of vehicles sold between 2015 and 2019 models had immobilizers as standard, compared to only 26% of Hyundai and Kiaz. At that time. Rather than relying on a metal key that you have to insert and turn, vehicles with push-button start systems have immobilizers, but not all models with turnkey ignition do.
stealing these vehicles According to HLDI, the trend on social media in 2021 is because car thieves have started posting videos of theft and fun and even videos explaining how to steal a car. In Wisconsin, where crime was first rampant, Hyundai and Kia theft claims surged in dollar terms more than 30 times what he did in 2019.
In a statement provided to CNN, the insurer said, “State Farm has temporarily increased theft losses for certain model years and trim levels of Hyundai and Kia vehicles in some states. “This is a serious issue affecting our customers and the auto insurance industry as a whole.”
Progressive is also cutting insurance on these cars in some markets, spokesman Jeff Sibel said in an email.
“In the past year, theft rates for certain Hyundai and Kia vehicles have more than tripled, and in some markets, these vehicles are almost 20 times more likely to be stolen than others.” he wrote. “Considering that we price insurance based on the level of risk, in many cases it is very difficult to insure these vehicles as thefts have exploded. In response, we have increased rates in some regions and limited the sale of new policies on some of these models.”
Progressive continues to insure people who already have policies with the company, he said. Progressive also offers advice on how to protect your vehicle from theft.
Insurance Information Institute spokesman Michael Barry said it’s very rare for auto insurance companies to simply stop creating new policies for a particular make or model of vehicle.
“They generally want to increase their market share depending on where they are doing business,” he said.
Although Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors operate as separate companies in the United States, Hyundai Motor Group owns a significant stake in Kia Motors, and various Hyundai and Kia Motors models share much of their engineering. increase.
Engine immobilizers are now standard on all Kia and Hyundai vehicles, the companies said in separate statements. Both automakers also said they were developing security software for vehicles that were not originally equipped with immobilizers. Kia said it has begun notifying owners that the software will be offered free of charge.. Hyundai said a free update to its free software will be available next month.
Hyundai also said it is offering free steering wheel locks to several police stations across the country to give to local residents who have Hyundai models that could easily be stolen. Hyundai dealers also sell and install security kits for vehicles, the company said.
Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly listed the price of the Hyundai Security Kit.