Photo of Lowell Point taken by an Umialik employee.

Lowell Point, AK
Photo by | Umialik Employee

UmialikXpress


Agency Bulletin

May 8, 2023


Select Hyundai and Kia Models Only Eligible for Coverage with Vehicle Software Update

Due to the recent increase in thefts, effective immediately, Umialik will no longer write new policies for Hyundai and Kia models that are vulnerable to theft due to a lack of immobilizer. Affected vehicles will need to have the free, dealer-installed, anti-theft software upgrade to be eligible for coverage. Any Personal Auto new business submissions that include one or more of the vehicles listed below will not be approved until we receive documentation verifying installation of the software update or validation that the particular vehicle does not have the vulnerability.

We will be reaching out to policyholders with one of these vehicles on an existing policy and requesting documentation that verifies the affected vehicle has the security update installed. Policyholders will receive two letters requesting this documentation. If Umialik does not receive proof of corrective action from the policyholder, physical damage coverage for the vehicle will be nonrenewed.

Additional information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) about the anti-theft software upgrade is available here. Vehicle-specific information is available by inputting the VIN at one of the links below:

If you have any questions about this eligibility change, please contact Sandy Holmes, your Regional Agency Manager. Thank you for your continued partnership.