ONSTAR

Donstar · March 2, 2019

4 hours ago, Jacoby said:

Just an FYI guys. If youre in a serious accident and the OnStar button is your only option to call for help theyre not going to not help you out just because you don't pay them a monthly fee.

They would be liable if they didn't send help.

Interesting. I am not clear on how an inactive service can be liable if you haven't contracted them to provide you service. I assume your comment has something to do with laws around your duty to assist. I copied this statement from another internet site (www.abc.com) "there is no common law in the U.S. that states the public, outside of paid service such as law enforcement, doctors and firefighters, has a duty to rescue someone in danger." I like to believe that if you were able to connect to a human voice via Onstar, and you weren't a paid subscriber, that they would assist in some way. I imagine you would more than likely get a recording giving you instructions on how to renew your subscription! I wouldn't recommend an unpaid subscription to Onstar a s part of an emergency plan!

Jacoby · March 2, 2019

2 minutes ago, Donstar said:

I like to believe that if you were able to connect to a human voice via Onstar, and you weren't a paid subscriber, that they wouldn't assist in some way. I imagine you would more than likely get a recording giving you instructions on how to renew your subscription! I wouldn't recommend an unpaid subscription to Onstar a s part of an emergency plan!

You “like” to believe that someone wouldn’t assist you in an emergency if you aren’t paying for their service? Did I read that right. You like to believe that? Really!!!!

if you push the blue button you will get a live person every time not a recording. That’s how you sign up for OnStar in the first place.

If someone were to get kidnapped for instance and they’re only option is to contact OnStar you can bet your ass the OnStar rep isn’t going to say sorry you’re not a paying customer can’t help you. If you drive off a cliff and your only option is the OnStar button they’re not going to tell you to go pound sand.

I to don’t and never recommended relying on an unpaid subscription to OnStar as an emergency plan. By all means get one if you want to pay for it. I had one in my CTSV for a couple of years and I’m considering one for my truck as I want the data plan.

Donstar · March 2, 2019

1 minute ago, Jacoby said:

You “like” to believe that someone wouldn’t assist you in an emergency if you aren’t paying for their service? Did I read that right. You like to believe that? Really!!!!

if you push the blue button you will get a live person every time not a recording. That’s how you sign up for OnStar in the first place.

If someone were to get kidnapped for instance and they’re only option is to contact OnStar you can bet your ass the OnStar rep isn’t going to say sorry you’re not a paying customer can’t help you. If you drive off a cliff and your only option is the OnStar button they’re not going to tell you to go pound sand.

I to don’t and never recommended relying on an unpaid subscription to OnStar as an emergency plan. By all means get one if you want to pay for it. I had one in my CTSV for a couple of years and I’m considering one for my truck as I want the data plan.

Thanks for the edit! I fixed my post. Your point has been argued before on this forum and tOnstar can and will deny service. Members have pointed out situations where their car has been stolen or they've been locked out and Onstar would not help without a paid subscription. It would be a pretty poor business plan and unfair to those of us who pay if service was provided whether paid or not. Your extreme examples of going off a cliff or being kidnapped are not worth testing, imo. I've gone off the road on a remote logging road prior to Onstar and appreciate what a great service this can be for those of us who regularly drive out of the city limits.

Jacoby · March 2, 2019

I don’t care if u think it’s fair or not. It’s ethics plain and simple. A car being stolen or being locked out are in no way comparable to a life and death situation

agree to disagree

Donstar · March 2, 2019

13 minutes ago, Jacoby said:

I don’t care if u think it’s fair or not. It’s ethics plain and simple. A car being stolen or being locked out are in no way comparable to a life and death situation

agree to disagree

It is not a case of agreeing to disagree. I do like to believe you're right that Onstar will help unpaid subscribers in a "life and death" situation. My risk tolerance is not that great. A lot of readers take what they read on the internet seriously and I wouldn't like anyone to believe they can rely on emergency service from Onstar without a paid subscription. Maybe another member can share an example where their unpaid service supported them in a grave situation.

TXGREEK · March 2, 2019

I don’t care if u think it’s fair or not. It’s ethics plain and simple. A car being stolen or being locked out are in no way comparable to a life and death situation
agree to disagree

You guys BOTH have valid reasons. It’s a secure feeling for some and just added worthless hype for others, I’m somewhere in between. I have zero quarles paying for even 5 years up front, what I don’t like is being nickel and dime throughout life. It’s a wonder how we’ve all survived this far without so much technology and now we’re fighting over it.

In our family, 7 unlimited data devices plus, currently all 10S’s and 10S Max, iPads Aple Watches. In case you’re not familiar with these new devices, all you do is say “Hey Seri” and it does “EVERYTHING” for you, engaged mapping, calls, favorite radio stations...literally anything you ask it will do. IMHO, OnStar is a wonderful system that’s started a long time before WiFi Hotspots, unlimited data, google maps and others, texting, etc etc. The only thing I see it benefits is just Incase scenario, what if you’re in a situation that there is no one around, you get into a bad accident and can’t find your cell phone etc etc, then what? That’s when I see it as priceless. In the end, it’s just something else that’s nickel and dime us.

I bought a 2WD Yukon XL SLT, 5.3 as a dedicated road trip vehicle and yes, we’ve been up in the mountains many times and as the (family protector) never did any of this ever cross my mind until now, Donstar has made a valid and well educated assessment of why he recommends OnStar services. If you feel that you don’t need it, well than you’re the only one that can answer that one and agree with Jacoby as I live in a major metropolitan city where help is a view away and if traveling outside of it consists of airplane travels then no , no point having it, just MHO.

Sent from above

dieselfan1 · March 2, 2019

4 hours ago, Donstar said:

It is not a case of agreeing to disagree. I do like to believe you're right that Onstar will help unpaid subscribers in a "life and death" situation. My risk tolerance is not that great. A lot of readers take what they read on the internet seriously and I wouldn't like anyone to believe they can rely on emergency service from Onstar without a paid subscription. Maybe another member can share an example where their unpaid service supported them in a grave situation.

Not a grave situation but a friend locked keys in her Yukon. She let the subscription expire after the free trial. They made her renew before they unlocked it. She kept OnStar after that.

15 Z71 · March 2, 2019

I have it for 5 years free. I do like it. I also just pay 10 dollars a month for just the on star nav. And I only get that when I need it. Also i did purchase some phone minutes through on star just incase i need them or forget my cell phone.

Cjc · March 3, 2019

I have the 5 year basic,also pay for phone minutes because I don't have a cell phone.When the basic service runs out,I will buy a plan.I like it alot.

Bob985 · March 9, 2019

I have the 5 years free but the service is not that great

Ol'Jim · April 24, 2019

I guess I need to make a call and try to get a better deal. My OnStar plan alone is $35.99/Month, (not the high-end plan, either), and I have only pushed the button once in 14 months, to ask about getting my Navigation map updated. The guy told me it was $109 for a one-time update. I thought that was ridiculous, so I said "pass", and hit Google Maps on my phone. All I really need is the WiFi, which costs me another $20 per month. And I get hit like $15.99/Month for XM Radio, (which SUCKS, IMHO). I am wanting to know if I can get rid of everything except the WiFi? Or do I have to keep OnStar for access to the WiFi, even though I pay for it separately?

Paying $72 plus tax per month for nothing other than WiFi is stupid, I am bailing out unless I can get Basic OnStar for like $10-15...

rah7777777 · April 24, 2019

1 hour ago, Ol'Jim said:

I guess I need to make a call and try to get a better deal. My OnStar plan alone is $35.99/Month, (not the high-end plan, either), and I have only pushed the button once in 14 months, to ask about getting my Navigation map updated. The guy told me it was $109 for a one-time update. I thought that was ridiculous, so I said "pass", and hit Google Maps on my phone. All I really need is the WiFi, which costs me another $20 per month. And I get hit like $15.99/Month for XM Radio, (which SUCKS, IMHO). I am wanting to know if I can get rid of everything except the WiFi? Or do I have to keep OnStar for access to the WiFi, even though I pay for it separately?

Paying $72 plus tax per month for nothing other than WiFi is stupid, I am bailing out unless I can get Basic OnStar for like $10-15...

The ONLY thing I pay for is wifi. With tax its like $22 a month for unlimited.

I'd give them $5 a month for the app to use my phone as a remote, but I'm sure as hell not going to pay $15 a month for it. Just insane.....

NCPGMC · April 25, 2019

20 hours ago, rah7777777 said:

The ONLY thing I pay for is wifi. With tax its like $22 a month for unlimited.

I'd give them $5 a month for the app to use my phone as a remote, but I'm sure as hell not going to pay $15 a month for it. Just insane.....

Agreed, I have the old 5 year "basic" plan with mine but I pay for the unlimited wifi and use the pandora app either on the infotainment center or when I plug in and use Android Auto. It is cheaper for me to pay for unlimited data on my truck than to upgrade my cell plan to unlimited. I will NOT be renewing that basic plan when it runs out, it is nice to use the app on the phone every once and awhile but I am certainly not paying for what should be free with my $50k truck; just like updating the factory nav...