Car theft is a serious problem in the United States, and it affects car owners from all walks of life. In recent years, there has been a growing concern about car theft in the country, particularly among Kia and Hyundai owners. Both automakers have faced challenges in this area, but they are taking steps to protect their customers and their brand reputation. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at the issue of car theft among Kia and Hyundai owners in the USA, and what the automakers are doing to prevent it.
Car theft is a crime that involves stealing a car without the owner's consent. A disturbing viral phenomenon has emerged in which young car thieves are specifically targeting Kias and Hyundais, resulting in State Farm Insurance refusing to issue new policies for certain models of these brands. Reports from vehicle owners indicate that their cars have been stolen and returned multiple times. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that the targeted vehicles lack immobilizers, which could provide some deterrent against theft attempts. According to social media trends, the method used to steal these Kia and Hyundai vehicles involves manually overriding the ignition switch, which seems to be an effective technique.
Kia has responded by saying “Kia America regrets this decision by certain insurers and its impact on owners and lessees of select Kia vehicles, which we anticipate will be temporary. Engine immobilizers are now standard on all Kia vehicles and have always been standard equipment on Kia vehicles with push-button ignitions.”
Furthermore, in response to the rise in claim frequencies linked to the affected vehicles, Kia has implemented a series of measures. The company has been actively working on developing and testing advanced security software for cars that were not initially equipped with immobilizers. Kia has also initiated communication with owners of certain models, notifying them of the availability of this software upgrade, which will be provided at no cost to the consumers. The automaker anticipates making the software upgrades accessible for most of the affected vehicles by the middle of 2023. Additionally, Kia is continuing to offer free steering wheel locks, subject to availability, to law enforcement agencies across the country, which can be distributed to owners or lessees of affected models.
For any concerns or inquiries related to their Kia vehicle, owners can reach out to the Customer Care team directly at 1-800-333-4542 (4Kia) or visit the Owners Portal on kia.com.
Kia and Hyundai are aware of the problem and are taking measures to address it. Both automakers have implemented security features in their cars, such as alarms, immobilizers, and tracking systems, to prevent theft. They have also partnered with law enforcement agencies to investigate and recover stolen vehicles. In addition, they have launched awareness campaigns to educate their customers on how to protect their cars from theft. Kia and Hyundai have also collaborated with third-party companies to develop innovative solutions to prevent car theft.
While Kia and Hyundai are doing their part to prevent car theft, there are things you can do to protect your car. Here are some tips:
Car theft is a serious problem that affects car owners across the United States. Kia and Hyundai owners have been targeted by car thieves, but the automakers are taking measures to prevent it. They have implemented security features in their cars, partnered with law enforcement agencies, and collaborated with third-party companies to develop new anti-theft solutions. As a Kia or Hyundai owner, you can also do your part to protect your car by following some basic security measures.
At Knight Insurance, we understand the importance of protecting your car from theft. That's why we offer comprehensive auto insurance coverage that includes theft protection. Contact us today to learn more about our auto insurance policies and how we can help you protect your ride.
