Kia and Hyundai are two of the most popular car brands in the United States, known for their reliability, affordability, and sleek designs. However, recently, car thefts involving Kia and Hyundai models have been on the rise, leaving car owners worried and frustrated. The Highway Loss Data Institute, a division of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, discovered in September that Hyundai and Kia vehicles without immobilizers had a vehicle theft claim rate of 2.18 per 1,000 insured vehicle years. This trend has been observed across different states, including California, Texas, Florida, and New York.
In this blog post, we will explore the reasons behind this trend and provide some tips and tricks on how to prevent your Kia or Hyundai car from being stolen.
A TikTok "Kia Challenge" video that went viral in July 2022 demonstrated how to easily hijack specific kinds of Kia and Hyundai automobiles with only a USB connection. While TikTok promptly removed the video each time it returned, the harm had been done.
Electronic immobilizers, a safety measure that employs a unique chip in the key fob, were not available in automobiles at the time. Vehicles equipped with this technology will not start until the right key is inserted, making them significantly more difficult to hot-wire. Without a such mechanism, anyone in an older Kia or Hyundai could remove the steering column and plug a USB into the ignition before driving away.
In February, Hyundai and Kia offered free anti-theft software updates for millions of their vehicles, which increased the duration of the alarm sound from 30 seconds to one minute and required the key to be inserted in the ignition switch to start the vehicle. Kia has informed around 1.1 million drivers about the software upgrade and plans to notify an additional 2 million by the end of March. Installing the technology takes less than an hour, according to dealerships.
To further reduce thefts, Kia has provided steering-wheel locks to over 120 U.S. law enforcement agencies and launched a website that allows drivers to check if their vehicle is eligible for the software upgrade using their VIN. Kia is also working with major insurance carriers to ensure their customers have access to comprehensive coverage. However, the software upgrades won't be available to most Hyundai and Kia owners until June, and some drivers with vehicles manufactured between 2011 and 2022 are not eligible for the software.
While both companies are rolling out upgrades to fix this mess, you can take some safety measures to keep your car safe.
Be Aware of Your Surroundings: When you park your car, take a moment to look around and make sure there are no suspicious individuals or activities nearby. If something seems off, trust your instincts and move your car to a safer location.
You can also seek assistance from your automaker at the numbers provided below for information on eligibility and schedule for the software update:
If you are a Kia or Hyundai car owner in the USA, it is essential to protect your investment from theft. At C.V. Mason Insurance Company, we understand the importance of safeguarding your vehicle and 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.
