A whole bunch of Kias and Hyundais have been stolen within the US in latest months, main some main insurance coverage corporations to drop their protection for the autos, claiming they’re too straightforward to steal.

2015 Hyundai Santa Fe

Automotive thieves with names like “Kia Boyz” have been chasing some Kia and Hyundai vehicles made between 2011 and 2019 as a part of a social media development referred to as “keyless automobile thefts”.

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

2016 Kia Soul

“State Farm has briefly stopped writing new enterprise for sure mannequin years and trim ranges of Hyundai and Kia autos in some states as a consequence of a dramatic improve in theft claims for these autos,” the insurer instructed CNN. “It is a critical challenge affecting our clients and the whole auto insurance coverage business.”

In accordance with the Freeway Loss Knowledge Institute, some Hyundai and Kia fashions constructed between 2015 and 2019 are nearly twice as prone to be stolen as different vehicles of an analogous age. What makes them really easy to steal? Many lack the anti-theft expertise that was commonplace in 96% of different vehicles on the time.

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Blame social media

Police imagine thefts have elevated after movies appeared on social media exhibiting the way to begin these vehicles with out using a key.

The criminals bypass ignition cylinders and are capable of begin and drive the automobile. Robbers shoot movies of themselves stealing vehicles in a matter of seconds.

Kia and Hyundai are reacting

Kia and Hyundai have since fitted all of their newer autos with anti-theft units. For these with older fashions, Hyundai presents a safety package that clients can set up to maintain the thieves at bay. The package might be bought from Hyundai sellers and licensed installers. Hyundai can be providing a free software program replace beginning subsequent month that may cut back theft.

Each corporations are working with the police to supply free steering wheel locks to automobile house owners. Contact your native vendor.