We are all going to be paying for this through increased insurance premiums.

2419 Views 52 Replies 19 Participants Last post by Sparklander, 2 d ago

Sparklander

Discussion Starter · 22 d ago

worldnewsera.com

Insurers Sue Hyundai And Kia Over Costs Of Vehicle Hot-wiring - WorldNewsEra

The widespread theft of vulnerable older Hyundai and Kia models not equipped with a crucial anti-theft device could end up costing the U.S. insurance industry

worldnewsera.com

21 - 40 of 53 Posts

jplotkin

· #21 · 17 d ago

Waldo Land said:
My son has a 2012 Sportage and got an email advising to bring in to local dealer for software upgrade. He probably won't get around to it but maybe this information will help others.

"Help enhance the security of your Sportage by installing an important software upgrade. When installed, this important update restricts the operation of your vehicle's ignition system if your locked vehicle is subject to a theft attempt without the key.

You can take advantage of this upgrade at no additional cost, so contact your Kia dealership today to schedule an appointment right away.* Most dealerships provide online scheduling.

Sincerely,
Kia America - Customer Care Department

*This is a limited time offer. Check the date on the notification letter we sent you previously for your vehicle's specific deadline. Also, note that compatibility issues may exist for vehicles equipped with a remote start accessory. Contact your dealer for more information"

Online
https://ksupport.kiausa.com/ConsumerAffairs

Phone
800.333.4Kia (4542)

Informational Portal
https://ksupport.kiausa.com/ConsumerAffairs/SWLD

I recently had this update for my 2020 Optima. This is activated when you use the remote to lock the car and will disable the ignition if an attempt is made to hot-wire the car. So, it enhances the anti-theft functionality. Your son is a fool to not take advantage of this update and you might have a problem with your insurance if a free security update is ignored.

Waldo Land

· #22 · 17 d ago

jplotkin said:
I recently had this update for my 2020 Optima. This is activated when you use the remote to lock the car and will disable the ignition if an attempt is made to hot-wire the car. So, it enhances the anti-theft functionality. Your son is a fool to not take advantage of this update and you might have a problem with your insurance if a free security update is ignored.

I agree that it's a mistake not to get the update. He's 44 years old so there is only so much I can push him on doing. I'll probably do the end run around him and talk to my daughter-in-law about getting it done. 😉

Sparklander

Discussion Starter · #23 · 17 d ago

SoCal949 said:
What providers are denying coverage? I haven't heard of one.

Progressive and State Farm are the primary ones denying coverage. Others, while not outright denying coverage, are raising rates on those brands.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/27/business/progressive-state-farm-hyundai-kia/index.html

Reactions: 1

RedGeminiPA

· #24 · 17 d ago

Sparklander said:
Progressive and State Farm are the primary ones denying coverage. Others, while not outright denying coverage, are raising rates on those brands.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/27/business/progressive-state-farm-hyundai-kia/index.html

My renewal in February increased my premium by 20%. When I asked my agent about it, she said Erie raised rates by 5% across the board. When I stressed that mine was 20% higher, she wasn't sure why. When I was looking at a 2005 Mercedes S500 as a cheap replacement for my Sportage, the premium was $20 less per year. The 2011 Volvo XC60 that I'll be buying will be over $300 per year less ($596). My '21 Rio is over $1,000 per year.

Reactions: 1

Brandong8man

· #25 · 17 d ago

RedGeminiPA said:
My renewal in February increased my premium by 20%. When I asked my agent about it, she said Erie raised rates by 5% across the board. When I stressed that mine was 20% higher, she wasn't sure why. When I was looking at a 2005 Mercedes S500 as a cheap replacement for my Sportage, the premium was $20 less per year. The 2011 Volvo XC60 that I'll be buying will be over $300 per year less ($596). My '21 Rio is over $1,000 per year.

You can’t really compare the rates on a 13 year old and an 18 year old vehicle to that of a new one though. Apples and oranges in terms of the amount of money the insurance company is on the hook for.

Duke70

· #26 · 17 d ago

Issue I had with the software upgrade to my 2012 Kia Sorento ... I have a remote starter, so Kia would not apply the software upgrade due to a conflict. They stated the appropriate software upgrade would not be available until at least October 2023.

The lawsuit states that Kia will provide steering wheel locks. Called the local Kia dealership which said the steering wheel locks are distributed by local police agencies. Called the Syracuse NY city police and county sheriff's offices and both advised they are not participating in the distribution. By comparison, both Buffalo and Rochester NY police agencies do participate and apparently distribute the steering wheel locks, but maybe only if you live in a high crime area? Called the Kia 800 support number and was advised they confirmed that Kia only provides to law enforcement agencies.

I don't blame the police/sheriff offices for not participating. They have limited resources and should not have to invest their time and effort keeping an inventory and distributing equipment to deal with Kia created issues.

Fortunately, I live in the country but still travel into the city several times a week, often parking in areas in the evening. Taking a chance every time I guess.

My insurance with Allstate is in the midst of the 6 month time frame, so we'll see if rates go up or not. It's reasonable at the moment.

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Reactions: 1

missingcurlybracket

· #27 · 16 d ago

My insurance went up dramatically renewing in Texas beginning of the year but judging from a cursory search of the net comparing varying rates state-to-state it seemed to be mostly if not all the move from VA to TX. (albeit the last time I was here for a few months and moving insurance over for a cycle - I don't believe the spike to be as high)

But I'm coming on 6 months here and my renewal is coming out to at an increase of ~22.6%. Nice.

RedGeminiPA

· #28 · 16 d ago

Brandong8man said:
You can’t really compare the rates on a 13 year old and an 18 year old vehicle to that of a new one though. Apples and oranges in terms of the amount of money the insurance company is on the hook for.

To an extent. There are many factors. When inquiring about the S500, she asked me if it cost over $80,000 new, saying the underwriting system showed that MSRP. When I told her it stickered for $86,000, she said it's asking because they have to base parts replacement cost on new OE parts. That would explain why so many high end vehicles are totaled out over relatively minor damage. A couple $2,500 headlights alone can hit over 40% of an older high-end vehicle's value pretty quick. The amount of damage a vehicle can cause to property or another vehicle doesn't change with age, which is part of factoring costs into insurance premiums under liability coverage. That's another reason why our rates don't really go down much as our vehicles age. The cost of new parts stays relatively the same, and the amount of damage the vehicle would do to another doesn't change. The only factor that really changes is how much it would cost to replace the older totaled vehicle from a full loss.

The Volvo I'm buying was totaled out over small dents in 2 doors, a tire and a fuel line. That was the only real damage. The rate she quoted for the '11 XC60 is very similar to the '06 and '08 XC90s I owned some years back, well before the rate increase this year.

I can tell you what DIDN'T change about my '21 Rio or the Sportage from last year to this year: how much damage it would cause to another, and the cost of replacement OE parts. Doesn't leave too many other reasons for the ~20% increase in premiums, other than a tarnished brand.

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Jaybird Skedattle

· #29 · 15 d ago

Waldo Land said:
My son has a 2012 Sportage and got an email advising to bring in to local dealer for software upgrade. He probably won't get around to it but maybe this information will help others.

"Help enhance the security of your Sportage by installing an important software upgrade. When installed, this important update restricts the operation of your vehicle's ignition system if your locked vehicle is subject to a theft attempt without the key.

You can take advantage of this upgrade at no additional cost, so contact your Kia dealership today to schedule an appointment right away.* Most dealerships provide online scheduling.

Sincerely,
Kia America - Customer Care Department

*This is a limited time offer. Check the date on the notification letter we sent you previously for your vehicle's specific deadline. Also, note that compatibility issues may exist for vehicles equipped with a remote start accessory. Contact your dealer for more information"

Online
https://ksupport.kiausa.com/ConsumerAffairs

Phone
800.333.4Kia (4542)

Informational Portal
https://ksupport.kiausa.com/ConsumerAffairs/SWLD

I hear it still can be stolen by breaking a window and climbing through not opening a door this has happened already

Brandong8man

· #30 · 15 d ago

Jaybird Skedattle said:
I hear it still can be stolen by breaking a window and climbing through not opening a door this has happened already

That’s how to enter the vehicle without the key and not set off the alarm. Doesn’t mean they can actually start the car.

Jaybird Skedattle

· #31 · 15 d ago

Brandong8man said:
That’s how to enter the vehicle without the key and not set off the alarm. Doesn’t mean they can actually start the car.

www.wwltv.com

First case of Kia stolen after security software upgrade reported in New Orleans

Kia rolled out a software update to prevent more than eight million vulnerable vehicles from easy theft, but already there’s been a case of a Kia stolen.

www.wwltv.com

Brandong8man

· #32 · 15 d ago (Edited)

Jaybird Skedattle said:
First case of Kia stolen after security software upgrade reported in New Orleans

Kia rolled out a software update to prevent more than eight million vulnerable vehicles from easy theft, but already there’s been a case of a Kia stolen.

www.wwltv.com

And do you honestly think that no other vehicles are ever stolen? Thieves have found ways to defeat security measures as soon as new ones are brought out. It’s just the nature of things. There’s always someone wanting to take what you have.

missingcurlybracket

· #33 · 15 d ago

Brandong8man said:
And do you honestly think that no other vehicles are ever stolen? Thieves have found ways to defeat security measures as soon as new ones are brought out. It’s just the nature of things. There’s always someone wanting to take what you have.

Of course no one thinks no other cars are stolen, it’s ease and accessibility here

That being said, the update’s track record is still spotty - people have tested it and set off the alarm while the car not starting, but we’ve also seen updated vehicles stolen. Whether it’s accidentally locking by not-the-fob or something worse (given anecdotes of issues that seem to pop up post-update don’t help) is anyone’s guess

Jaybird Skedattle

· #34 · 15 d ago

missingcurlybracket said:
Of course no one thinks no other cars are stolen, it’s ease and accessibility here

That being said, the update’s track record is still spotty - people have tested it and set off the alarm while the car not starting, but we’ve also seen updated vehicles stolen. Whether it’s accidentally locking by not-the-fob or something worse (given anecdotes of issues that seem to pop up post-update don’t help) is anyone’s guess

Yep just brake a window and crawl through and away they go just like before the update

GlitchKs

· #35 · 12 d ago

Brandong8man said:
And do you honestly think that no other vehicles are ever stolen? Thieves have found ways to defeat security measures as soon as new ones are brought out. It’s just the nature of things. There’s always someone wanting to take what you have.

true but in this particular case it is so easy that any idiot can do it so an easy target for kids just looking to trash something.

Sparklander

Discussion Starter · #36 · 12 d ago

The settlement was $200 million for 9 million vehicles. That works out to around $24/vehicle. Not sure it will be of any real benefit to owners of Kia vehicles. The lawyers are eating well right about now.

Jaybird Skedattle

· #37 · 12 d ago

Try testing after update and leave rear window open instead of braking and crawl through and see if you can start the car with a non coded key instead of braking the steering same thing and see if you can start and drive away. I wonder how it would turn out. it sure would be a good way to find out if the update did any good at all. my car has not been updated or I would try it

GlitchKs

· #38 · 12 d ago

Jaybird Skedattle said:
Try testing after update and leave rear window open instead of braking and crawl through

Or stay in the car and have someone lock it and walk away with the FOB. You are not laz... errr efficient enough

SamPham

· #39 · 11 d ago (Edited)

Sparklander said:
Insurers Sue Hyundai And Kia Over Costs Of Vehicle Hot-wiring - WorldNewsEra

The widespread theft of vulnerable older Hyundai and Kia models not equipped with a crucial anti-theft device could end up costing the U.S. insurance industry

worldnewsera.com

I recently purchased a new 2023 Niro EV. I got quotes from pretty much every insurance provider in the states. I was turned down by two, with no reason given, and they wouldn't tell me why. I have a clean driving record, never missed any payments or had any lapses in coverage. I had to wonder if it had something to do with previous KIA models? The systems are all automated through algorithms. It shouldn't matter because all the newer models have addressed the old theft issues and increased anti-theft protocols significantly, engine immobilizer, built in theft tracking and integrated options through virtual. Some quotes came in ridiculously high, while others were about the same as my previous gas. Two companies came in much lower. Allstate and Lemonade (formerly Metro Mile), both offer pay by the mile insurance, which is much cheaper for me since I don't drive much. Allstate was still significantly lower for full coverage without going the mileage route.

halco46

· #40 · 11 d ago

I have a 2008 Kia Sportage and bought it in 2009. I had a VIPER Alarm system installed at Best Buy. The alarm is Very sensitive,bump the car or glas and it starts Chirping Loudly,try to break in and the siren will drive you deaf and it also has a engine disabler!. All for $249 and free install. Slight discount on my Ins.

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