Car Insurance Coverage for Kia and Hyundai Vehicles
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Consumer Alert for Car Insurance Coverage for Kia and Hyundai Vehicles
March 2nd, 2023 - As the expert on issues affecting California insurance consumers, the California Department of Insurance has responded to recent media reports about increased thefts of certain Kia and Hyundai cars.
Please know that we have strong consumer protection laws for California drivers – your constituents. While other states have seen insurance non-renewal and premium increases for owners of these particular vehicles, it is not happening in California to the same degree.
California has a long-standing “good driver” law requiring insurance companies offer and sell a good driver discount policy regardless of what type of car they drive under Insurance Code 1861.02 (b)(1). Good drivers are those who have been licensed for three consecutive years and have no points on their license.
An insurance company would be required to prove an objective basis to increase rates or to decline non-good drivers and submit their revised rates and underwriting rules to the Department.
In California, under Proposition 103 passed by voters in 1988, insurance companies must file all auto insurance rate increases and rule changes with my Department for review and prior approval. Using objective data, they have to tell us first if they are charging a certain vehicle more or not writing coverage for certain types of vehicles.
With the automakers’ recent announcement of steps they are taking to help prevent thefts, my Department will continue to closely monitor this issue to make sure California drivers are protected. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to my Community Relations & Outreach Branch staff with questions and/or if you hear any issues from your constituents regarding this at CROB@insurance.ca.gov.
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Led by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, the California Department of Insurance is the consumer protection agency for the nation's largest insurance marketplace and safeguards all of the state’s consumers by fairly regulating the insurance industry. Under the Commissioner’s direction, the Department uses its authority to protect Californians from insurance rates that are excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory, oversee insurer solvency to pay claims, set standards for agents and broker licensing, perform market conduct reviews of insurance companies, resolve consumer complaints, and investigate and prosecute insurance fraud. Consumers are urged to call 1-800-927-4357 with any questions or contact us at www.insurance.ca.gov via webform or online chat. Non-media inquiries should be directed to the Consumer Hotline at 800-927-4357. Teletypewriter (TTY), please dial 800-482-4833.
