A whole lot of Kias and Hyundais have been stolen within the U.S. previously few months, inflicting some main insurance coverage firms to drop their protection of the automobiles, claiming they’re too straightforward to steal.
2015 Hyundai Santa Fe
Automotive 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.”
In consequence, some main insurance coverage carriers reminiscent of Progressive and State Farm are refusing to insure these vehicles in choose cities the place the theft is rampant, like Denver and St. Louis, according to CNN.
2016 Kia Soul
“State Farm has quickly 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 instructed CNN. “It is a significant issue impacting our clients and the whole auto insurance coverage business.”
Based on the Highway Loss Data 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 expertise, which was normal in 96% of different vehicles throughout that interval.
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Blame social media
Police consider the thefts have been on the rise after movies appeared on social media exhibiting learn 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 gadgets to all their newer automobiles. For these with older fashions, Hyundai provides a security kit that clients can set up to maintain the thieves at bay. The package may 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 firms are working with police to supply free steering wheel locks to automobile homeowners. Examine together with your native vendor.
Supply: Entrepreneur