RFID-enabled Vehicles: Pinch My Ride

Billosaur writes "Wired has an excellent article on the problems with the theft of RFID-enabled vehicles and how insurance companies are so over-confident in the technology, they are denying claims when such vehicles are stolen. Example: "Emad Wassef walked out of a Target store in Orange County, California, to find a big space where his 2003 Lincoln Navigator had been. The 38-year-old truck driver and former reserve Los Angeles police officer did what anyone would do: He reported the theft to the cops and called his insurance company. Two weeks later, the black SUV turned up near the Mexico border, minus its stereo, airbags, DVD player, and door panels. Wassef assumed he had a straightforward claim for around $25,000. His insurer, Chicago-based Unitrin Direct, disagreed." Their forensic examiner concluded that since all the keys were accounted for, there was no way the engine could have been started, despite the evidence that the ignition lock had been forced and the steering wheel locking lug had been damaged."

I call bullshit

[sjonke]

They didn't bother to steal the plus-sized, chrome spinny wheels?

Moral of the story is...

[Cpoff]

Throw away one of your keys before you call the insurance company? :)

Re:DNA

[Shippy]

If the glove don't fit, you must acquit!

Re:DNA

[Anonymous Coward]

I don't think there was any need to bring your girlfriend into the conversation.

Oh right, you don't have one. My mistake!

Excuse My ignorace.

[fish_in_the_c]

Excuse my ignorance but could somebody explain to me what is so magical about these refid vehicles as to cause one to expect the impossibility of starting them after they are broken into?

Exactly what parts of the car are disabled when refid token is not present?
More over how do those parts KNOW it isn't present?

I mean unless the refid reader is somehow coupled to the spark control computer so that it is impossible to interpose between the refid receiver and the spark control computer I don't see what would stop someone from simply jumpering around the detector.

Even if the spark control computer was in fact coupled tightly to the refid receiver in one apoxy sealed unit so you couldn't interfere, last time I checked replacing the spark control computer could be done in under 15 min if you were good at it. I mean it's not that much different then replacing a hard drive. Even a less compatible control computer would probably allow the vehicle to run (poorly) for a while if I'm not mistaken.

Re:Who really telling the truth

[mrxak]

That's no excuse. If he has a boat and so many kids, then he should just make the kids push the boat around while he drives next to them in his two-seater hybrid yelling at them to put their backs into it.

Re:Who really telling the truth

[Anonymous Coward]

a prius allows a certain pattern of engaging and disengaging the parking brake to over ride the security system

Shave and a haircut?

Reminds me of the Simpsons

[antifoidulus]

Homer wants to get rid of a trampoline but can't until Bart puts a bike lock on it, then Snake shows up right away to steal it.

Re:Denied

[Overzeetop]

She is made of iron, sir. I assure you, she can. And she will. It is a mathematical certainty.

Without a doubt, my favorite line from the movie. Though, to be honest, it's not high on my "what to watch" when I've got three hours to kill. A close second would have been a hearty "Game over, man!" from Bill Paxton, but it just never appeared.

Re:DNA

[andrewman327]

No one wants to serve 10-15 for serving 10-15 in your mother.

You're supposed to help *our* people

[Overzeetop]

quoth imdb:

Bob: Did I do something illegal?
Gilbert Huph: [begrudgingly] No.
Bob: Are you saying we shouldn't help our customers?
Gilbert Huph: [pacing back and forth] The law requires that I answer, No.
Bob: I thought we were supposed to help people.
Gilbert Huph: You're supposed to help *our* people! Starting with our stockholders! Who's helping them out, Huh?

Re:Who really telling the truth

[the eric conspiracy]

The station wagon is probably better for a number of reasons:

          1. Less likely to run out of gas while sitting at the gas pump.
          2. Less likely to cause you to exceed credit limit while refueling.
          3. Less likely to roll over while on highway exit ramp.
          4. Less likely to be targeted by thieves.
          5. Less likely to use so much disposable income you have to shop at Target.

Re:Who really telling the truth

[jeffehobbs]

VOICEOVER: Adrian Brody. Mel Gibson. Dave Navarro. What do these people have in common? They all suffer from L.B.S. -- in fact, one in every one-hundred Americans are diagnosed with L.B.S., or "Large Boat Syndrome", every day. And it gets worse: L.B.S. victims routinely have to cope with Sports Utility Vehicle fees and marina docking rental costs just to make it through, day-to-day, with their disease. For just $130 dollars a day --the cost of a single Nintendo DS Lite! -- you can help these fellow Americans. Won't you donate, today?

~jeff

Re:Who really telling the truth

[andrewman327]

"you neglect to account for the possible neccesity of such a vehicle, perhaps this many has a large family and a boat which he frequently tows?"

Towing your family? That, good sir, is utterly barbaric! Won't someone please think of the children?!? With an SUV that big, there should never arise an occassion where it becomes necesary to tow your family behind you! I am outraged!

List incomplete

[stormy_petral]

Where is my Dodge Caravan with cracker crumbs and baby puke stains?

Re:7" RF Fallacy

[Enigmafan]

I laughed at the bit where they say the key's RF signal only goes 7 inches. I get the same laugh when I read about those RF credit card transponders only going 11 inches.

Mine does 13 inches...

Re:Apparent InsCo greed aside...

[Anonymous Coward]

"...my own insurance premiums rise after my car was hit while parked"

If you want to keep the premiums down you keep that car in your garage where it belongs! You don't have a garage? Well then, I do believe our rates have just increased by 10%.

Re:List incomplete

[jratcliffe]

It's exactly where you left it - nobody's going to steal that thing. :)

Re:In other news

[TClevenger]

Pull the magnets from a 5 1/4" full height drive with 10 platters. I can pick up an empty file cabinet with mine.

Re:Apparent InsCo greed aside...

[TenLow]

Wouldnt you think that statistically speaking, the longer you go without an accident, the more likely it will be that you'll get in an accident? Simple law of averages.

Although the idea that if you've had one accident you're going to have another soon is the simple law of women drivers.