This 1 Feature Could Make Your Car More Appealing to Car Thieves

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Last year was another record-breaking year for vehicle theft, with more than 1 million vehicles stolen in the U.S., up 29% from 2019.

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NCIB), thieves have developed more sophisticated car-stealing skills, including hacking keyless entry systems. And if you have a newer Hyundai or Kia, your car might be more at risk. Read on to learn how this could impact your car insurance costs.

Cars need an engine immobilizer

A couple of years ago, someone posted a video online showing how easy it is to steal some Kias and Hyundais because these brands failed to equip their vehicles with engine immobilizers.

An engine immobilizer is exactly what it sounds like: a device that can shut down the engine when needed. When a car has one, it can detect whether it's being started by the key that's programmed to match a specific vehicle. Without one, thieves can break into the vehicle, remove the steering column cover, and start the ignition using a USB cable.

Not only do many thieves know about this easy car-stealing tactic, but only 26% of Kia and Hyundai models had an immobilizer in 2015, compared to 96% for other manufacturers, making them a huge target. Indeed, six of the top 10 cars that were stolen last year were Kias and Hyundais.

Insurance companies know this, too

The lack of engine immobilizers led to 10-fold increases in Kia and Hyundai thefts between 2020 and 2023, and insurance companies have noticed. State Farm and Progressive won't insure some Kias and Hyundais, depending on where you live.

For some car owners, the lack of an engine immobilizer could mean paying higher insurance premiums. Insurance companies consider a long list of factors, including the likelihood of theft, to determine how much to charge customers.

To help avoid theft, the NCIB recommends:

• Parking in a well-lit area
• Closing the windows and locking the doors
• Hiding all valuables out of sight
• Not leaving a running car unattended

Your insurance premiums have likely increased

Even if you don't own a model that's more likely to be stolen, you're probably paying more for your insurance than you used to. Car insurance rates have soared 19.5% over the past year. Those higher premiums can easily weigh down your budget, and they're extra annoying because they are recurring costs you have to pay for.

So, what can you do to lower your car insurance premiums? Here are a few suggestions:

• See if bundling your home and auto insurance can get you a discount
• Increase your deductible
• Drop to a lower coverage tier
• Comparison shop for better insurance rates

Comparing car insurance quotes is one of the best ways to lower costs. Research from car app Jerry shows that 60% of people who comparison shop find cheaper car insurance .

Spending just a few minutes shopping for cheaper insurance could go a long way toward lowering your monthly auto insurance premiums. You might also want to contact your insurance provider before you purchase a car to see if the make and model will significantly increase your rates.

And if you have an older Kia or Hyundai, it may be time to shop around for something else: the Club steering wheel lock.

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