In 2023 vehicle owners of a 2010 – 2021 Kia or a 2015 – 2021 Hyundai (with key starters) were suddenly (nearly overnight) at an increased risk for vehicle theft, more so than the average risk for vehicle theft. So much so that insurance carriers swiftly issued moratoriums and changes to underwriting and eligibility guidelines that either outright declined coverage for physical damage (i.e. theft) or require proof of additional features or measures installed by vehicle manufacturers before providing rates for physical damage coverage.
Since October of 2022 Kia and Hyundai vehicles have been stolen in record numbers, all because of a “Kia Challenge” that emerged on social media and encouraged stealing certain vehicles and taking them out for a “joy ride.” The National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA.gov) states that the trend “has resulted in at least 14 vehicle crashes and eight fatalities.”
Kia and Hyundai both report that they are testing solutions, that will be free of charge to Kia consumers, but the timeline for availability of a solution is still unknown.
Because of the increases in theft losses for Kia and Hyundai vehicles, insurance carriers, like Progressive Insurance and State Farm, took notice and quickly released statements confirming that insuring these vehicles is difficult.
If you own a Kia or Hyundai vehicle we advise you stay up to date with any recall or solution available to fix the problem.