Short answer: State Farm did temporarily stop accepting some new auto-policy applications for certain Kia and Hyundai model years and trims in some states during 2023. However, the company did not publish a permanent nationwide blacklist, and its current public website does not show a definitive Kia/Hyundai list. The model ranges below come from contemporaneous 2023 reporting—not a guaranteed current rule.
If you are buying, refinancing, or changing coverage on one of these vehicles, do not rely on an online list. Give State Farm or an agent the vehicle identification number (VIN) and ask whether that exact year, trim, ignition system, and state of garaging qualify for a new policy.
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Important: “State Farm won’t insure Kia and Hyundai models” is too broad. The reported action applied to new business for some vehicles in some states. It was not reported as an automatic cancellation of policies already in force, and eligibility could depend on the model year, trim, passive engine immobilizer, state, and current underwriting rules.
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The reported 2023 State Farm Kia and Hyundai list
In January 2023, State Farm said it had temporarily stopped providing new auto policies for some Kia and Hyundai model years and trims in some states because vehicle thefts had increased dramatically. In its public statement, State Farm did not identify the affected models or states. That statement was reported by CBS News.
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A more detailed list later circulated through WWL-TV reporting and was reproduced by automotive publications. MotorTrend reported in March 2023 that it had received a list of every Hyundai and Kia model then considered ineligible. The list was described in reporting as applying in Georgia, Louisiana, Oregon, Washington, and Pennsylvania.
The table below is therefore best read as a reported 2023 underwriting list, not as a current official nationwide State Farm policy.
| Make | Model or variant | Model years on the reported list |
|---|---|---|
| Hyundai | Kona | 2015–2021 |
| Hyundai | Santa Fe | 2015–2021 |
| Hyundai | Sonata | 2015–2021 |
| Hyundai | Accent | 2015–2021 |
| Hyundai | Elantra | 2015–2021 |
| Hyundai | Tucson | 2015–2021 |
| Hyundai | Veloster | 2015–2018 |
| Kia | Forte | 2015–2021 |
| Kia | Optima | 2015–2021 |
| Kia | Optima Hybrid | 2015–2016 |
| Kia | Rio | 2015–2021 |
| Kia | Sedona | 2015–2021 |
| Kia | Sorento | 2015–2018 |
| Kia | Soul | 2015–2021 |
| Kia | Sportage | 2015–2021 |
Source: the most complete list reported by MotorTrend in March 2023. The ranges should not be treated as a current State Farm eligibility determination.
Why online versions of the list do not match
Contemporaneous publications did not reproduce exactly the same information. The Drive published a closely related list that omitted the Hyundai Sonata and gave the Kia Sorento as 2015–2016 rather than 2015–2018. Kelley Blue Book reproduced information supplied by two State Farm employees through WWL-TV; its version included the Hyundai Accent, Elantra, Kona, Santa Fe, Tucson, and Veloster, along with several Kia models, but did not separately list the Sonata or Kia Optima Hybrid.
These differences are not minor formatting issues. They show that the reported restriction may have been applied at a more detailed level than make and model—for example, by trim, ignition system, factory equipment, state, or underwriting file. They are also why a third-party list cannot tell you whether State Farm will insure your particular vehicle today.
Use the table as a warning flag, not a coverage decision. State Farm’s current public auto-insurance pages direct shoppers to its quote process and indicate that vehicle information such as the year, make, model, body style, and VIN is used in the insurance process. A VIN-specific quote or an answer from a State Farm agent is more reliable than a 2023 web list.
What “State Farm won’t insure it” actually meant
The reported action was a restriction on new policies or new customer applications. It was not described as an automatic cancellation of existing policies. The Drive and Kelley Blue Book both reported that State Farm would not cancel an existing policy solely because the vehicle appeared on the reported list.
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That distinction matters:
- Already insured: The 2023 reporting did not say that State Farm would automatically terminate an existing policy.
- Buying a policy now: State Farm could decline a new application if the exact vehicle was outside its underwriting rules at that time and in that state.
- Renewal or policy changes: A renewal, address change, replacement vehicle, lapse in coverage, or other policy event can involve separate underwriting decisions. Do not assume that an existing policy guarantees acceptance of a newly purchased vehicle.
- Other insurers: A State Farm restriction would not mean that every insurer refuses the vehicle. Each company sets its own underwriting rules, subject to applicable state law and regulatory requirements.
In practical terms, the reported policy was an underwriting or new-business eligibility limitation—not a universal declaration that every Kia or Hyundai was uninsurable.
Why certain Kia and Hyundai vehicles became a theft-insurance problem
The central issue was the absence of a passive engine immobilizer on many affected vehicles and trims. A passive immobilizer uses a transponder in the key or fob to verify that the correct key is present before allowing the engine to start. It is different from a vehicle alarm, remote keyless entry, or a mechanical steering-wheel lock.
The Highway Loss Data Institute reported that only 26% of 2015 Hyundai and Kia vehicle series had standard passive immobilizers, compared with 96% of vehicle series from all other manufacturers combined. HLDI also found that theft claim frequency and overall losses for affected 2015–2019 vehicles had risen to about twice their 2019 level by the first half of 2021, with especially severe increases in Wisconsin and Colorado.
Social-media videos then publicized a theft technique involving certain key-start Kia and Hyundai vehicles. In February 2023, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the trend had resulted in at least 14 reported crashes and eight fatalities. NHTSA also said Hyundai and Kia were developing free theft-deterrent software for millions of vehicles that lacked immobilizers.
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Does every Kia or Hyundai on the list lack an immobilizer?
No. A model-year range does not tell you whether a particular trim has a factory immobilizer. Some vehicles on the reported list had immobilizers depending on their equipment and production timing. Kelley Blue Book reported that State Farm agents could offer coverage after verifying the presence of a passive engine immobilizer through an inspection.
Do not treat any of the following as conclusive proof of an immobilizer:
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- A key fob or push-button remote-entry system
- A factory alarm
- Remote locking
- A software update
- An aftermarket alarm or immobilizer
- A dealer’s general statement about the model rather than the specific VIN
Remote-entry equipment may be an indicator, but it is not proof. Ask the manufacturer, dealer, or insurer how the exact vehicle’s anti-theft equipment is verified. If State Farm offers an inspection route, ask what documentation or physical inspection it requires before assuming the vehicle will qualify.
When did Hyundai and Kia begin adding immobilizers?
The answer depends on whether you are discussing a model, a trim, or the vehicle’s production date.
The Drive reported that Hyundai made immobilizers standard on all models beginning in 2021 and Kia made them standard in 2022, while individual models received the feature earlier. Hyundai separately says immobilizers became standard on all Hyundai vehicles produced as of November 2021. HLDI’s later research reported that immobilizers were standard across all Hyundai and Kia models by 2023.
Those statements describe factory equipment and production timing. They do not guarantee that State Farm will accept every vehicle from a particular model year, nor do they override an insurer’s state-specific underwriting rules.
Manufacturer anti-theft remedies
Hyundai software update and steering-wheel lock
Hyundai says nearly four million affected vehicles are eligible for a free anti-theft software upgrade. The update is intended for certain turn-key vehicles and adds an ignition-kill function. Hyundai explains that owners must lock the vehicle with the key fob for the relevant security logic to activate.
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Hyundai also says vehicles that are not eligible for the software update may receive a free steering-wheel lock through a dealer. Check eligibility through Hyundai’s official anti-theft program or a Hyundai dealer rather than assuming that a vehicle is covered because it is from an affected model family.
Kia software update and ignition protection
NHTSA said Hyundai and Kia were rolling out free software updates that extended the alarm duration and required the key to be in the ignition to start the vehicle. NHTSA described the campaign as involving approximately 3.8 million Hyundais and 4.5 million Kias.
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Kia later announced a free ignition-cylinder protector for vehicles that were not eligible for its software upgrade. Kia said the protector reinforces the ignition-cylinder body and is intended to make the social-media theft method more difficult. Kia has also reported distributing steering-wheel locks and continuing to provide software upgrades to eligible vehicles.
Availability can depend on the VIN, production configuration, and whether the vehicle is eligible for the software campaign. A dealer should confirm the remedy rather than substituting a paid aftermarket part for a free manufacturer program.
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Will an anti-theft update make State Farm insure the vehicle?
Not automatically. A manufacturer remedy can materially reduce theft risk, but completing it is not the same as receiving an insurer’s approval.
HLDI’s 2024 research found that vehicles receiving the software upgrade had theft claim frequencies 53% lower than eligible vehicles without the upgrade. Whole-vehicle theft frequency was 64% lower. HLDI also cautioned that theft and vandalism remained elevated, and that the software’s effectiveness depends in part on the driver locking the vehicle with the fob.
State Farm may consider the update, an immobilizer inspection, the trim, or other security equipment under its current rules. None of those items should be described as a guaranteed workaround. After completing a remedy, save the dealer invoice or campaign completion record and ask State Farm whether it changes eligibility for the specific VIN.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.State laws can change how insurers handle these vehicles
Insurance rules are not identical across the country. In a March 7, 2023 bulletin, Michigan’s insurance department said insurers generally could not refuse eligible Michigan consumers solely because a Kia or Hyundai lacked anti-theft technology or was associated with national theft trends, except under specified statutory circumstances.
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- 🧲Hidden Magnetic Closure: The glove box document holder are built with hidden magnetic closure, which will keep your car paperwork organizer neat and tidy and ensure the certifications stay closely and and completely protective within the registration pouch.
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The reported list was associated with Georgia, Louisiana, Oregon, Washington, and Pennsylvania, but State Farm did not publicly publish a definitive nationwide list confirming those details. The Louisiana Department of Insurance told reporters it had not been notified of such a restriction at the time. If you live in one of those states—or elsewhere—ask about the rule currently filed and used for your policy, not just what a 2023 article says.
What owners should do before buying or insuring one
- Identify the exact vehicle. Record the VIN, model year, trim, body style, ignition type, and whether the vehicle has a physical key or push-button start.
- Check manufacturer remedies. Use Hyundai or Kia’s official anti-theft resources or contact a dealer to determine whether the VIN qualifies for the free software update, a steering-wheel lock, or a Kia ignition-cylinder protector.
- Ask how the immobilizer is verified. If the vehicle is in a reported model range, ask State Farm whether an inspection is available and what evidence it needs. A key fob alone is not enough.
- Get the quote before committing to the vehicle. Provide the VIN and the address where the vehicle will be kept. Ask specifically whether the exact vehicle is eligible for a new policy in your state.
- Ask about the completed remedy. If the vehicle received a software update or hardware protection, provide the completion documentation and ask whether it affects underwriting.
- Compare alternatives. If State Farm declines the application, obtain quotes from other insurers or a licensed independent agency. Use the exact VIN and coverage limits so the comparisons are meaningful. A quote is not coverage until the insurer accepts the application and the policy is bound.
- Protect the vehicle regardless of the insurer. Park in a secure, well-lit location, lock the vehicle consistently, and use the manufacturer-provided remedy when available.
For a vehicle without a factory immobilizer or one that cannot receive a manufacturer update, a steering wheel lock for car can be a practical additional theft deterrent. It is a security aid—not proof of a passive factory immobilizer and not proof that State Farm will issue a policy.
What about an aftermarket alarm or immobilizer?
An aftermarket security product may be useful in some vehicles, particularly when the manufacturer’s free software campaign is unavailable. However, compatibility must be checked by model, year, trim, and ignition configuration. Installation quality also matters.
Most importantly, do not assume that an aftermarket immobilizer, alarm, or tracking device satisfies a reported State Farm factory-immobilizer inspection requirement. Ask the insurer in advance whether it recognizes the specific device, what documentation it requires, and whether installation must be performed by an approved facility. A vehicle-specific anti-theft device should be considered only after confirming compatibility and insurance acceptance.
Before-you-buy checklist
- Have I provided the insurer with the actual VIN?
- Has the insurer confirmed eligibility in my state, rather than relying on a national list?
- Does the vehicle have a passive factory immobilizer, and how will that be verified?
- Is the vehicle eligible for Hyundai’s or Kia’s free anti-theft remedy?
- Will the dealer provide written proof that the update or hardware protection was completed?
- Have I confirmed the full premium, deductible, comprehensive coverage, and theft-related terms?
- If State Farm declines it, have I obtained more than one alternative quote?
- Will my lender accept the policy and coverage limits if the vehicle is financed?
For a current decision, the most useful next step is to compare car insurance quotes using the exact VIN, state, garaging address, and desired coverage. Do this before signing a purchase contract or allowing an existing policy to lapse.
Source and date note
This article distinguishes the reported 2023 list from current eligibility because State Farm’s public pages do not display a universal, current Kia/Hyundai blacklist. The historical list and underwriting explanation were reported by State Farm/CBS News, WWL-TV reporting reproduced by Kelley Blue Book, MotorTrend, and The Drive. Theft and immobilizer information comes from the Highway Loss Data Institute and NHTSA. Manufacturer remedy information comes from Hyundai and Kia. State-law context comes from the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services and the Connecticut Insurance Department.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is State Farm currently refusing to insure all Kia and Hyundai vehicles?
No. The available evidence supports a temporary 2023 restriction on some model years and trims in some states, not a permanent nationwide refusal to insure every Kia or Hyundai. State Farm’s current eligibility must be checked with the exact VIN and state.
Which Kia and Hyundai models appeared on the reported State Farm list?
The most complete reported 2023 list included Hyundai Kona, Santa Fe, Sonata, Accent, Elantra, Tucson, and Veloster, plus Kia Forte, Optima, Optima Hybrid, Rio, Sedona, Sorento, Soul, and Sportage. The reported year ranges varied by model, and other publications reproduced different versions.
Will State Farm cancel my existing Kia or Hyundai policy?
The 2023 reporting described a restriction on new policies and said existing policies would not automatically be canceled. Renewal, replacement-vehicle, address-change, and other underwriting decisions can involve separate rules, so policyholders should confirm their own status with State Farm.
Does completing the Hyundai or Kia anti-theft software update guarantee insurance coverage?
No. The update can reduce theft risk and may be considered by an insurer, but it does not guarantee State Farm eligibility. Keep the completion record and ask whether the update changes underwriting for your specific VIN.
How can I find out whether my vehicle has a passive engine immobilizer?
Ask the manufacturer or dealer to verify the equipment for your VIN, and ask State Farm whether it requires an inspection. A key fob, alarm, remote-entry system, or aftermarket device is not automatically proof of a passive factory immobilizer.
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Bottom line: State Farm’s reported Kia and Hyundai list is historical, state-specific, and more complicated than a simple make-and-model blacklist. Treat the 2023 ranges as a reason to verify—not as a final answer. Before buying or changing coverage, obtain a VIN-specific quote, ask about immobilizer verification and manufacturer anti-theft remedies, and compare insurers if necessary.
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