Auto theft cases surrounding Hyundai and Kia cars have become so serious that even the National Insurance Crime Bureau recently asked YouTube to remove tutorial videos showing how easy it is to break into the cars.
With theft cases still on the rise, both Progressive and State Farm have begun to decline insurance coverage for Hyundai and Kia cars, particularly in cities where the problem is worst, such as Columbus, OH and Denver, CO. driving news website unit reported that various news outlets in those cities have independently confirmed that Kia and Hyundai owners have been denied coverage even if their vehicles do not have physical ignition keys.
A Progressive spokesperson confirmed in a statement to The Drive that it would no longer issue new insurance policies for “certain” Hyundai and Kia vehicles.
“Due to the risk of theft that some Hyundai and Kia vehicles present, in many cases it makes these vehicles difficult to insure, so in certain areas of the country we have adjusted our acceptance criteria for new business (no change for existing customers). ) on some of these models,” the representative said. “We will continue to monitor how this issue develops and look forward to revising our decision as the risk of theft decreases and community awareness improves.”
The Drive also contacted State Farm for a statement, and the insurer pointed to the news website’s crime and insurance ratio resources; it was assumed that the insurer wanted the driving portal to conclude that some Hyundai and Kia cars are not insurable.
Both Hyundai and Kia were also contacted for comment, with the two sending similar statements saying they were “regretting” the decision made by the two insurers.
Are State Farm and Progressive justified in denying insurance coverage for Hyundai and Kia automobiles? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
