Toyota Corolla Cross owners insured by Discovery Insure are facing new security requirements after the insurer classified certain models as presenting a significantly higher risk of theft and hijacking.
The move follows an internal review of insurance claims, which identified a sharp increase in incidents involving specific vehicle models and locations. As a result, some Corolla Cross owners will now be required to install additional vehicle recovery technology to maintain full insurance protection.
Discovery Insure said it regularly reassesses the risks associated with the vehicles it covers to ensure that policies remain sustainable while providing appropriate protection for customers.
For policyholders with affected vehicles, including the Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 XR, the installation of two Crowd Search Sensors has become mandatory.
The wireless tracking devices connect to Discovery’s recovery network and are intended to improve the likelihood of recovering stolen vehicles. Customers who do not install and activate the required devices within the specified notice period could have theft and hijacking cover removed from their comprehensive insurance policies.
Although the sensors are installed free of charge initially, policyholders will pay a monthly Stolen Vehicle Recovery (SVR) fee of R135 per vehicle from their next policy renewal. The fee is waived for motorists who already have an approved third-party tracking system.
Private Security Industry Reports Similar Trend
Discovery’s decision mirrors warnings issued by private security companies that have reported a steady increase in Toyota Corolla Cross thefts since the model entered the South African market in 2021.
Blue Hawk Tactical previously warned that organised criminal groups had been actively targeting the vehicle across Gauteng, while security experts believe its growing popularity has made it increasingly attractive to organised crime syndicates.
According to Fidelity Services Group CEO Wahl Bartmann, criminals often target vehicles that are both common and visually inconspicuous. Popular models can move through traffic without attracting attention, particularly when finished in common colours such as white or silver.
Once stolen, vehicles are frequently dismantled for spare parts or illegally re-registered before being sold again, creating a profitable market for organised criminal networks.
High Sales Volumes Can Increase Criminal Interest
Industry sales figures published by Naamsa show that many of South Africa’s most frequently stolen or hijacked vehicles are also among the country’s top-selling models.
Security experts caution that this relationship does not necessarily mean a particular model is inherently less secure. Instead, vehicles with large numbers on South African roads naturally appear more often in crime statistics because they are more widely available and their replacement parts are in greater demand.
Hijackings remain concentrated in urban and peri-urban areas, particularly in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape.
While no vehicle owner can completely eliminate the risk of theft or hijacking, security specialists recommend maintaining situational awareness, varying daily travel routines, avoiding displaying valuables inside vehicles and remaining vigilant when arriving home.
They also encourage motorists to consider emergency response tools, including portable panic buttons and vehicle tracking systems, which may improve response times during incidents.
As insurers continue adjusting risk assessments in response to changing crime patterns, motorists may increasingly encounter additional security requirements designed to reduce losses while improving the chances of recovering stolen vehicles.
Source: Discovery Insure, Fidelity Services Group, Blue Hawk Tactical, Naamsa.