A whole bunch of Kias and Hyundais have been stolen within the U.S. previously few months, inflicting some main insurance coverage corporations to drop their protection of the automobiles, claiming they’re too straightforward to steal.

2015 Hyundai Santa Fe

Automobile thieves, with names just like the “Kia Boyz,” have preyed upon some Kia and Hyundai vehicles, manufactured between 2011 and 2019 as a part of a social media development known as “keyless automobile thefts.”

Consequently, some main insurance coverage carriers akin to Progressive and State Farm are refusing to insure these vehicles in choose cities the place the theft is rampant, like Denver and St. Louis, in accordance with CNN.

2016 Kia Soul

“State Farm has briefly stopped writing new enterprise in some states for sure mannequin years and trim ranges of Hyundai and Kia automobiles as a result of theft losses for these automobiles have elevated dramatically,” the insurer advised CNN. “This can be a significant issue impacting our clients and the whole auto insurance coverage business.”

In line with the Freeway Loss Information Institute, some Hyundai and Kia fashions constructed between 2015 and 2019 are nearly twice as more likely to be stolen as different vehicles of an identical age. What makes them really easy to steal? Many lack anti-theft know-how, which was commonplace in 96% of different vehicles throughout that interval.

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Blame social media

Police imagine the thefts have been on the rise after movies appeared on social media displaying tips on how to begin these vehicles with out the usage of a key.

The criminals bypass ignition cylinders, permitting them to start out and drive off with the automobile. Robbers shoot movies of themselves stealing vehicles in mere seconds.

Kia and Hyundai reply

Kia and Hyundai have since added anti-theft units to all their newer automobiles. For these with older fashions, Hyundai affords a safety equipment that clients can set up to maintain the thieves at bay. The equipment could be bought at Hyundai dealerships and licensed installers. Hyundai can be providing a free software program replace starting subsequent month that can scale back theft.

Each corporations are working with police to supply free steering wheel locks to car house owners. Examine together with your native supplier.