How acquainted are you with the Kia Problem?
Even in the event you answered “By no means,” you will have nonetheless heard in regards to the TikTok pattern of individuals hot-wiring and stealing Kias and Hyundais for enjoyable.
This was an alarming flip of occasions for the homeowners of round 8.3 million at-risk automobiles, a quantity estimated by the Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration. Whereas each Kia and Hyundai have introduced software program updates to handle the difficulty, lots of these automobiles are nonetheless unprotected, in line with the NHTSA — together with the automobiles owned by each writers of this text.
For full transparency: Ryan drives a Hyundai, Drew drives a Kia and neither car is presently eligible for the software program updates. So this text is extra than simply one other task — it’s additionally the recommendation we’re following to guard our automobiles.
What’s the Kia Problem?
The Kia Problem began in Milwaukee with a bunch referred to as the Kia Boyz. They gained native notoriety in 2021, however discovered a nationwide viewers in July 2022 when a TikTok video confirmed hot-wire a Kia with solely a screwdriver and a USB cable.
Kias and Hyundais had been focused due to an ignition software program vulnerability, in line with the NHTSA. A number of fashions from 2011-2022 don’t have anti-theft know-how that’s grow to be the business normal. And when the Kia Problem turned a viral pattern, it induced a spike in automobile theft.
In 2021, 6,970 Kias and Hyundais had been reported stolen in Milwaukee, in contrast with 895 Kias and Hyundais in 2020, in line with the workplace of the legal professional basic of Wisconsin. And Milwaukee is only one affected metropolis — Atlanta, Chicago and Denver even have seen will increase in thefts of the automobiles. You may examine for data on car thefts in your space via USAFacts, a nonprofit that collects U.S. authorities knowledge. The group compiled knowledge on reported automobile thefts from greater than 500 police departments and federal businesses nationwide.
How the Kia Problem could have an effect on your insurance coverage
Having your car stolen is a nightmare. After submitting a police report, you may additionally must submit separate insurance coverage claims for the car and any valuables inside, which can seemingly have an effect on your insurance coverage charges.
Now, the elevated danger for particular Kia and Hyundai years and fashions has made insurance coverage firms cautious of protecting these automobiles. In an emailed assertion, State Farm confirmed it has “quickly stopped accepting” functions in some states for some Hyundai and Kia automobiles.
Progressive has taken an identical stance, saying in an emailed assertion that the corporate has seen theft enhance by an element of 20 in some areas. A spokesperson confirmed through e mail that the corporate will proceed insuring present prospects however has issued fewer new insurance policies and elevated premiums in some areas.
What you are able to do to remain insured
If you happen to drive a Kia or Hyundai, listed here are a couple of methods to enhance your possibilities of staying insured and retaining your charges in examine.
Contact your carmaker
Kia and Hyundai have rolled out free anti-theft software program updates for fashions on the highest danger. Contact your producer to see in case your mannequin is eligible, and if not, what choices you will have.
For instance, Drew discovered his Kia is eligible for the software program replace, though the replace received’t roll out for his explicit automobile till someday this summer time.
Ryan was in a position to get reimbursed for a steering wheel lock (with receipt) after a cellphone name to Hyundai confirmed his automobile is ineligible for the software program replace. Hyundai did announce plans to reimburse homeowners for different anti-theft gadgets like alarm kits.
Kia homeowners: Name 800-333-4542.
Contact your insurer
It’s laborious to foretell how the software program replace will affect Hyundai and Kia homeowners’ automobile insurance coverage within the close to time period, however there’s hope the replace could finally ease any value burden for affected drivers. In an emailed assertion, Progressive inspired homeowners to get the software program replace “as quickly as attainable” and mentioned it’ll monitor the software program’s effectiveness and modify Progressive insurance policies accordingly.
If you happen to haven’t acted but, make the decision to your agent or firm quickly. “Most individuals do not wish to take care of insurance coverage till they must file a declare,” says Scott Holeman, a spokesperson for the Insurance coverage Data Institute, a company consisting of insurance coverage service member firms.
You can begin by asking the next questions:
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Do I’ve the protection I want? Complete protection pays for automobile theft and vandalism, and rental reimbursement protection helps pay for a rental automobile in the event you want it.
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How are my charges impacted? Don’t be stunned in case your charges go up once you renew your coverage, particularly in the event you dwell in a high-crime space. Usually, the extra common a automobile is to steal, the dearer it’s to insure.
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How can I get a greater worth? Ask about reductions and different methods to decrease prices. For instance, in the event you don’t drive a lot or in the event you park in a storage, you would possibly qualify for decrease charges. And let your insurer know in the event you’ve gotten the software program replace or put in anti-theft gadgets.
Store round
Some fee will increase are outdoors your management. “The excellent news is that auto insurance coverage is a extremely aggressive business,” Holeman says. Even in the event you drive an at-risk Kia or Hyundai, some insurers will supply higher charges than others, so don’t be afraid to buy round, Holeman says.
FinanceGrabber recommends evaluating automobile insurance coverage quotes not less than every year. You must also store round any time you progress, purchase a brand new automobile or expertise a giant life change like getting married.
The best way to keep away from getting your automobile stolen
There are a couple of finest practices you possibly can comply with to cut back the chances of getting your automobile stolen, no matter its make:
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Park sensible. When attainable, park in extremely seen areas, resembling underneath a streetlamp or in safe areas like garages. Lock your doorways, shut your home windows and preserve valuables out of your automobile.
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Set up an anti-theft system. Contemplate including safety like an aftermarket engine immobilizer or alarm system.
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Add visible deterrents like a steering wheel lock or blinking mild. The presence of an anti-theft gadget could make would-be thieves suppose twice about stealing your automobile, Holeman says. Hyundai and Kia additionally supply window stickers for patrons who get the software program replace. You would even purchase a faux anti-theft blinking mild or window sticker on-line.
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Monitor your automobile (simply in case). In case your automobile doesn’t have a car restoration system, think about including one. You may even disguise a small monitoring gadget like an Apple AirTag someplace in your automobile, Holeman says.
All of the prevention on the planet cannot shield you solely from automobile theft. Nevertheless, following these steps gave us peace of thoughts, and we hope it helps you, too.