How acquainted are you with the Kia Problem?
Even should you answered “In no way,” you could 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 Site visitors Security Administration. Whereas each Kia and Hyundai have introduced software program updates to deal with the problem, lots of these automobiles are nonetheless unprotected, based on 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 automobile is at the moment 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 known as the Kia Boyz. They gained native notoriety in 2021, however discovered a nationwide viewers in July 2022 when a TikTok video confirmed tips on how to 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, based on the NHTSA. A number of fashions from 2011-2022 don’t have anti-theft expertise that’s change into the trade normal. And when the Kia Problem grew to become a viral pattern, it precipitated 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, based on the workplace of the legal professional normal of Wisconsin. And Milwaukee is only one affected metropolis — Atlanta, Chicago and Denver even have seen will increase in thefts of the automobiles. You possibly can test for information on automobile thefts in your space by means of USAFacts, a nonprofit that collects U.S. authorities information. The group compiled information on reported automobile thefts from greater than 500 police departments and federal companies nationwide.
How the Kia Problem could have an effect on your insurance coverage
Having your automobile stolen is a nightmare. After submitting a police report, you might also must submit separate insurance coverage claims for the automobile and any valuables inside, which is able to 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 corporations cautious of masking these automobiles. In an emailed assertion, State Farm confirmed it has “briefly stopped accepting” purposes in some states for some Hyundai and Kia automobiles.
Progressive has taken an analogous 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 electronic mail that the corporate will proceed insuring present clients however has issued fewer new insurance policies and elevated premiums in some places.
What you are able to do to remain insured
In case you drive a Kia or Hyundai, listed here are a couple of methods to enhance your probabilities of staying insured and preserving your charges in test.
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’ve gotten.
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 season.
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 various anti-theft gadgets like alarm kits.
Kia homeowners: Name 800-333-4542.
Contact your insurer
It’s exhausting 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 ultimately ease any price burden for affected drivers. In an emailed assertion, Progressive inspired homeowners to get the software program replace “as quickly as doable” and stated it’ll monitor the software program’s effectiveness and modify Progressive insurance policies accordingly.
In case you haven’t acted but, make the decision to your agent or firm quickly. “Most individuals do not need to cope with insurance coverage till they must file a declare,” says Scott Holeman, a spokesperson for the Insurance coverage Info Institute, a company consisting of insurance coverage provider member corporations.
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 should you want it.
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How are my charges impacted? Don’t be stunned in case your charges go up while you renew your coverage, particularly should you reside in a high-crime space. Typically, the extra widespread a automobile is to steal, the dearer it’s to insure.
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How can I get a greater value? Ask about reductions and different methods to decrease prices. For instance, should you don’t drive a lot or should you park in a storage, you may qualify for decrease charges. And let your insurer know should you’ve gotten the software program replace or put in anti-theft gadgets.
Store round
Some fee will increase are exterior your management. “The excellent news is that auto insurance coverage is a extremely aggressive trade,” Holeman says. Even should 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.
UM recommends evaluating automobile insurance coverage quotes at the very least yearly. You also needs to store round any time you progress, purchase a brand new automobile or expertise an enormous life change like getting married.
Learn how to keep away from getting your automobile stolen
There are a couple of finest practices you may observe to scale back the chances of getting your automobile stolen, no matter its make:
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Park good. When doable, park in extremely seen areas, corresponding to beneath a streetlamp or in safe places like garages. Lock your doorways, shut your home windows and maintain valuables out of your automobile.
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Set up an anti-theft system. Take into account 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 assume twice about stealing your automobile, Holeman says. Hyundai and Kia additionally supply window stickers for patrons who get the software program replace. You possibly can 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 automobile restoration system, think about including one. You possibly can even disguise a small monitoring gadget like an Apple AirTag someplace in your automobile, Holeman says.
All of the prevention on this planet cannot shield you fully from automobile theft. Nevertheless, following these steps gave us peace of thoughts, and we hope it helps you, too.