Onstar Antenna

[TrueBlue]

I thought I had read here somewhere that the Onstar antenna is behind the left a-pillar. Is that right?

 

I read recently that many manufacturers are selling driving information to lexusnexus(sp?), who is turn selling it to insurance companies. Sometimes "permissions" to do so are embedded deep in the fine print of user agreements, sometimes it is done under the terms of "Smart Driver" programs, sometimes it is done even if explicit permission is not even given. Since I don't use onstar I would like to just disconnect the antenna. Especially given that my insurance premium went up almost 75% this year, with no accidents and no tickets. I don't have a lead foot but I do drive my truck in a spirited manner once in awhile. It is not unusual for insurance companies to use any means possible to raise rates. I'd like to eliminate their possible use of my data as, how fast one takes off from a standing start, whether or not we brake going into corners, whether or not we ever exceed the posted speed limit, and how hard we brake to stop are just some of the data points being provided.

 

So if the antenna is there, is there a specific right way required to remove that pillar such that no tabs are broken?

 

Thanks!

[Ltz6.2]

12 hours ago, TrueBlue said:

I thought I had read here somewhere that the Onstar antenna is behind the left a-pillar. Is that right?

 

I read recently that many manufacturers are selling driving information to lexusnexus(sp?), who is turn selling it to insurance companies. Sometimes "permissions" to do so are embedded deep in the fine print of user agreements, sometimes it is done under the terms of "Smart Driver" programs, sometimes it is done even if explicit permission is not even given. Since I don't use onstar I would like to just disconnect the antenna. Especially given that my insurance premium went up almost 75% this year, with no accidents and no tickets. I don't have a lead foot but I do drive my truck in a spirited manner once in awhile. It is not unusual for insurance companies to use any means possible to raise rates. I'd like to eliminate their possible use of my data as, how fast one takes off from a standing start, whether or not we brake going into corners, whether or not we ever exceed the posted speed limit, and how hard we brake to stop are just some of the data points being provided.

 

So if the antenna is there, is there a specific right way required to remove that pillar such that no tabs are broken?

 

Thanks!

My good friend is my agent, and we had a very in depth conversation this year pertaining to rising rates. What is happening is the vehicles (and components especially) are getting to be insanely expensive and hard to get ahold of due to a still limited supply due to the whole covid conundrum. Thus they need to raise rates to be able to cover this increased cost. He was telling me i could use a broker, get a better deal, but good luck collecting on a claim. They charge less and pay less or not at all because of their fine print they weasel out of claims. 75% is absurd but call and talk to them as to why. i have had my headlight replaced and was told if i wasn't still under warranty that it would be about 1200 dollars. Heck if i hit a deer, that could easily see that being 6-10k as opposed to 5 years ago pry a 2-4k bill. Home, auto, everything this year has increased.

 

idk maybe this helps, maybe not,  just thought id share my .02

[TrueBlue]

I understand about rising costs, supply chain issues, and the need to make a profit in order to stay in business. However this is our only Chevy at this time, and we have three other cars on our policy. None of them went up by anything close to 75%. In fact we had been warned that insurance rates in our state would be increading 12-25% with the next policy renewal. And the other vehicles' increases were in line with that range. It was just my truck that went up by so much. Apples and oranges I know, and I cannot prove that GM/Onstar sold my driving data, however when I called and spoke to my agent she could give me a reasonable explanation on why it was only my truck that increased so exorbinantly.

It may in fact have nothing to do with my data, however I think that since I don't use Onstar, and have not given explicit permission to use my data it would make sense to remove that possibility from the list of factors that might be responsible for this very large increase.

Thanks for the input though, I appreciate it.

[repairman54]

How many people think their vehicles are boats? Just watch the news of floaters in underpasses not to mention crossing and driving on flooded roads and storm damage. You could bring back a '60's vehicle from flood damage, not anymore in the computerized world.  

Water damaged claims are totaled out vehicles. Somebody has to pick up the costs, which is everyone. 

Let's not even get into driving habits.

They figure costs also by claims per model also. The data driven world has Ins. Co. knowing exactly what the claim costs per vehicle factors are, drives age, location, etc. I remember when engine size determined coverage prices back in the muscle car days. Big blocks meant big bucks back then. 

[Steve-2019]

Here's a way to opt out of tracking you (if you would trust it).

 

https://gmauthority.com/blog/2024/03/how-to-opt-out-of-gm-sharing-your-driving-data-with-insurance-companies/

[TrueBlue]

Thanks. I was reading on another site of users who have turned that off only to find it on again when they went back into the app. I'd really like to be able to pull a fuse or better yet disconnect the onstar antenna, whereever that connection is on my truck.

[GETGONE]

The antenna connector is on the drivers side A pillar. There's two covers you can see in the trim. Use a small flat tip screw driver or a plastic trim tool to pop the covers off. There's a 10mm bolt behind each cover. Remove those and pull the trim back from the top. You'll see the burgundy and gold connectors for OnStar and XM.

[TrueBlue]

Thank you Sir!

[dieselfan1]

I'd be finding a new insurance company instead of being paranoid if onstar is watching you.

[GETGONE]

I'm pretty sure all insurance companies use the same reporting company LexisNexis to obtain driving record information from the information I have found.

[TrueBlue]

There's that, and also I'm pretty sure another insurance company would ding me as a new customer.

[Nuxze]

It sounds like you're making a smart move by considering disconnecting your OnStar antenna to protect your driving data privacy. With insurance rates seemingly on the rise for various reasons, it's essential to take control where you can. Wade's instructions on accessing the antenna connector behind the driver's side A pillar should help you manage that with ease. By the way, have you ever considered adding a 50 caliber bullet antenna for your pickup? It can enhance both style and functionality without the worry of data tracking

Edited July 19, 2024 by Nuxze

[TrueBlue]

How does a "bullet" antenna reduce the worry of data tracking? Just curious.