State Farm has blacklisted certain Hyundai and Kia models due to their high frequency of theft. A high number of Hyundai and Kia models were susceptible to theft because they lacked engine immobilizers, which prevented the engine from starting without a key or keyfob present. However, Hyundai has since rectified this issue by making engine immobilizers a standard feature on all models starting in 2021. Kia followed suit, making immobilizers standard on all models in 2022. Certain models, such as the Kia Optima Hybrid (2016), Kia Sorento, and Hyundai Veloster (2018), received the update earlier. The following is a list of the affected models:
• 2015-2021 Hyundai Accent (all body styles)
• 2015-2021 Hyundai Elantra (two-door and four-door)
• 2015-2021 Hyundai Kona
• 2015-2021 Hyundai Santa Fe
• 2015-2021 Hyundai Tucson
• 2015-2018 Hyundai Veloster
• 2015-2021 Kia Forte
• 2015-2021 Kia Optima
• 2015-2016 Kia Optima Hybrid
• 2015-2021 Kia Rio (all body styles)
• 2015-2021 Kia Sedona
• 2015-2016 Kia Sorento
• 2015-2021 Kia Soul
• 2015-2021 Kia Sportage
This blacklist means that these models will no longer be eligible for coverage under State Farm’s auto insurance policy. The company has taken this step to mitigate its losses due to the high number of theft claims for these specific models. The list allegedly applies to Louisiana, Georgia, Oregon, Washington, and Pennsylvania. Although, the Louisiana Department of Insurance claims it hasn’t been made aware of such restrictions. If you own one of the listed vehicles, you may need to consider alternative insurance options.
