These Kia and Hyundai Are Blacklisted by Some Insurance Companies
Auto insurance companies don’t take unnecessary risks, and for State Farm and Progressive, many Hyundais and Kias now represent a risk they’re not prepared to take, at least temporarily. Cause? The same viral TikTok trend from ” Kia Boyz ” that we covered back in February when users learned how to easily connect cars. Thefts have only increased since then, with 18 attorneys general recently calling on the federal government to intervene and demand the recall of affected Kia and Hyundai vehicles.
Blacklisted vehicles
The following is a list of all Hyundai and Kia models that are blacklisted to add or renew State Farm and Progressive insurance policies, given the many reports of stolen vehicles that have surfaced, according to The Zebra :
- Hyundai Accent 2015-2021 (all body styles)
- Hyundai Elantra 2015-2021 (two-door and four-door)
- 2015-2021 Hyundai Kona
- 2015-2021 Hyundai Santa Fe
- 2015-2021 Hyundai Tucson
- 2015-2018 Hyundai Veloster
- Kia Forte 2015-2021
- Kia Optima 2015-2021
- Kia Optima Hybrid 2015-2016
- Kia Rio 2015-2021 (all body styles)
- Kia Sedona 2015-2021
- Kia Sorento 2015-2016
- Kia Soul 2015-2021
- Kia Sportage 2015-2021
Not everyone will be affected equally – it depends on the vehicle and location. In State Farm’s latest official statement, Georgia, Louisiana, Oregon, Washington, and Pennsylvania are listed as states that will be denied new or updated policies. Cities such as Denver and St. Louis , as well as states such as Texas , have also introduced bans or increased premiums. The restrictions apply to those seeking a new policy, not to current policyholders. However, at least most of the vehicle owners on the list will see an increase in their auto insurance, if provided at all.
The restriction is lifted if the vehicles are equipped with an engine immobilizer , an electronic security technology that makes it harder for thieves to hijack vehicles if they do not have the key to start the engine.
Keep in mind that these are just cars that two insurance companies have labeled as too risky to cover. If you’re a Hyundai or Kia owner, you should know that hot-wiring people aren’t just targeting blacklisted cars. Nearly 4 million of their vehicles are targeted, according to Hyundai, from the 2011 Elantra, Tucson and Sonata to the 2022 Accents, Konas and Santa Fes.
What to do if your car is blacklisted?
Your best bet is to call your insurance company and ask if they plan to renew your policy. If they say no, start buying a new carrier.
A software update due out this summer will add an “ignition off system” that activates when you use the car’s key fob, require the key to be in the ignition to turn the car on, and add or extend the triggered alarm to 60 seconds.
In addition to waiting in line to receive a software update from the dealership, you can take some preventive precautions to protect yourself from theft yourself:
- Get free wheel locks from Kia, Hyundai, or your local police department ( some police departments got these from car manufacturers and offer them as well).
- Always leave windows fully up.
- Make sure your doors are always locked.
- When parking your car overnight or for a long period of time, leave it in a well-lit area or in a garage and, if possible, in a place with a security camera.
- If you park it at home, it’s worth investing in installing motion sensors and a home security camera. At the very least, it will deter some would-be thieves from trying to steal a car.
If you have questions about your Kia vehicle, please call Customer Service directly at 1-800-333-4542 or online through the Owner Portal . Hyundai owners can call 800-633-5151 for software update information.