Is Onstar Good For Auto Theft Recovery....no

[denalitwin]

I see all these commercials, all these ads, Onstar will work with the Police to try to recover your stolen vehicle........here is what they fail to mention.

 

My wife had her 2005 Avalanche 4x4 stolen while at work, in Scottsdale, AZ. She had parked in the parking lot, it was there at 3:00 PM, it was gone at 4:00 PM, she first called the Police Dept, they told her that this was 'not a priority call', took her name & phone number and then told her someone would contact her in a few hours.

 

She then called 'Onstar' and was told, they must contact the Scottsdale Police Dept for a police report first and then will work with the police dept.......well, they did that and 'Onstar' was told that there was NO police report and could not help.....you guessed it...........the Scottsdale Police Dept called about 8:00 PM (4 hours later), took the info, over the phone and said a police report will be ready the next day..........she explained 'Onstar' to them, ????, police dept said, that this is the way it is handled.

 

Onstar, tried to do what they advertise, but the truth is, until a police report is done, they have their hands tied.........so, you wonder, did they recover it, considering that Onstar could not track for about 12 hours and Mexico is 1 1/2 hours away, and there is a car stolen in the Valley every 10 minutes, and the judges suck, and police depts Valley wide DO NOT enforce immigration laws...never have seen it again...and it only had 12,000 miles

[asilverblazer]

Exactly what I was afraid of. It's the same thing here, vehicle theft is not a 'priority'. So Onstar won't give you any information at all? I would request either A) They remotely disable the vehicle, surely they can do that if they can remotely unlock the doors... or B) Give you the location of the vehicle... or C) Cancel your subscription...

 

Did Onstar eventually give the location to the Police? Did they try to seize it? Was it in another jurisdiction? Did Onstar contact that area?

[silverad03]

My thought on using OnStar to track a stolen vehicle is that it's not a good idea. In fact, this service actually deters me from purchasing their service.

 

Somebody steals my truck - I don't ever want to see it again. I want the insurance check and go get another one. I don't want my truck back after someone went joyriding with it, maybe picked up some hookers, maybe jumped some curbs and/or participated in a high speed chase, or possibly even hid drugs and drug paraphenalia in it somewhere. Or worse, it ends up only slightly dismantled at a chop shop and I get it back with all or some of the parts.

 

No sir, let it go. I'll take the insurance check and the higher premiums - and a truck that I know the history on. My version of "drive it like you stole it" and a thief's version of "drive it like you stole it" are likely two different things entirely.

[slomo007]

My thought on using OnStar to track a stolen vehicle is that it's not a good idea. In fact, this service actually deters me from purchasing their service.

 

Somebody steals my truck - I don't ever want to see it again. I want the insurance check and go get another one. I don't want my truck back after someone went joyriding with it, maybe picked up some hookers, maybe jumped some curbs and/or participated in a high speed chase, or possibly even hid drugs and drug paraphenalia in it somewhere. Or worse, it ends up only slightly dismantled at a chop shop and I get it back with all or some of the parts.

 

No sir, let it go. I'll take the insurance check and the higher premiums - and a truck that I know the history on. My version of "drive it like you stole it" and a thief's version of "drive it like you stole it" are likely two different things entirely.

 

I agree completely, as long as you have gap insurance.

[silverad03]

My thought on using OnStar to track a stolen vehicle is that it's not a good idea. In fact, this service actually deters me from purchasing their service.

 

Somebody steals my truck - I don't ever want to see it again. I want the insurance check and go get another one. I don't want my truck back after someone went joyriding with it, maybe picked up some hookers, maybe jumped some curbs and/or participated in a high speed chase, or possibly even hid drugs and drug paraphenalia in it somewhere. Or worse, it ends up only slightly dismantled at a chop shop and I get it back with all or some of the parts.

 

No sir, let it go. I'll take the insurance check and the higher premiums - and a truck that I know the history on. My version of "drive it like you stole it" and a thief's version of "drive it like you stole it" are likely two different things entirely.

 

I agree completely, as long as you have gap insurance.

 

 

Good point, slomo.

 

I bought my truck with enough money down that my loan balance has remained well ahead of the depreciation curve so gap insurance has never been an issue. All things considered, I would rather pay for the gap insurance than OnStar when it comes to theft recovery.

[NathanL]

A few years ago in Baton Rouge a family let their teenage son use their Suburban. He went missing while having the vehicle. The family tried to get Onstar to track the vehicle and they said NO because it wasn't stolen - he had permission to use the truck when he went missing.

 

It was in the news forever and Onstar said it was a privacy issue or whatever their defense was. Kid turned up dead along with the vehicle a few weeks later and Onstar never did anything.

 

Last I heard the parents were sueing but I'm not sure whatever became of it.

[hotwheels57]

Contact your city councilman and go to the next city council meeting...tell your story to them. I'd bet there'll be plenty of other ONSTAR customers in the audience. Contact ONSTAR and explain the PD policy to them. Maybe they'll have to change their policies. Contact the local newspaper and tv news channels to get the word out. It's surely happening in other jurisdictions as well.

Since police officers can't pursue stolen vehicles anymore w/o fear of lawsuit, unfortunately auto theft has become a lower priority. They have to prioritize their manpower committments.

Many cars stolen in Scottsdale end up on the Salt River Indian Reservation. As to immigration, most valley departments are not cross certified to enforce federal immigration law and their police chiefs are against it, anyway. That's changing as you are probably aware (MCSO, AZ DPS).

Here's the Scottsdale PD UCR comparison from 1995-2006 (Uniform Crime Report to the FBI)...

http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/Assets/documen...rime+Report.pdf

Add to that the fact that most departments are now understaffed with baby boomer age retirements and recruiting new officers is difficult with the competition from all over the country.

Now, if you'd like to help change your community, all departments need reserve officers. There has never been a better time (speaking of salary only) to be a full time sworn officer in AZ (or anywhere for that matter).

Scottsdale PD is starting new officers out of the academy at almost $48,000 and topping out at almost $69,000 (promotions bring more $)...not including the benefits and retirement package.

[asilverblazer]

While I wouldn't like my stolen truck back I would like the dirty b*****d to pay for it...

 

 

...in one way or another.

[denalitwin]

hotwheels57...you must live in the Valley, then you know that the Scottsdale city council has a large budget for the population, all Valley cities need more money for law enforcement...I had asked the city council for a moment on the agenda and still am waiting for an answer.

 

I have contacted all of the local news media on this issue as well as other issues and find their liberal views are self serving.

 

As far as police not cross certified to enforce immigration law is a very poor excuse, the Maricpa County Sheriff (who does enforce the immigration laws) has no problem in cross certifying his officers. As you know the last 3 police officers that have been shot (2 died) in the Valley were shot by people who were illegal. You are correct, it is the police chiefs who are against this enforcement.

 

Someone asked if Onstar ever found the truck...NO, also I agree with many, that I would not want it back, and you need to be prepared to argue with the insurance co on value, it only had 12000 and thanks to Onstar that I had signed up for the monthly diagnostics check, I was able to verify the milage and received much more than book from the insurance...so there is some good from your Onstar, and I still use it in the other 2 vehicles.

[hotwheels57]

I lived in the valley from '57 to '99...(moved north) the good ol' days of unlocked doors and wet sheets in the windows days. Times have changed. Don't blame the PD, they're trying to give the residents the best bang for their buck. The Scottsdale PD chief has his own problems (daughter in the news several times).

I do think that ONSTAR needs to be aware of how local law enforcement policies can effect the bottom line of their product though. If the biggest advantage of their product is defeated by law enforcement lower priorities, it may hurt them...the one year free subscription runs out and no renewal subscriptions. Perhaps ONSTAR could notify AZ DPS initially since it's statewide. You never know unless you ask. Maybe make friends with your friendly state law maker representatived as well.

I hope you make it before the city council. Go prepared as you'll probably have only a limited time to give your side. Good luck!

[denalitwin]

hotwheels57.....you are also well read, yes you know well about the Valley and I guess the gowing pains.

 

I did contact DPS in regards to any help, again dept policy dictates...they only get involved if known facts would include additional crimes, such as kidnapping, armed crime, simple auto theft - No, you must go through the local law enforcement regardless, so until it becomes a higher priority, you are at their will.

 

You are correct, the city council, getting on the agenda, or allowed speaking time, they control very well and I think 3 minutes was it.

 

Hope things improve as Onstar has plans to expand the capabilities of its system, by disabling the vehicle........if the law enforcement process does not improve, that will be of little help.

[MS3DALE]

Hope things improve as Onstar has plans to expand the capabilities of its system, by disabling the vehicle........if the law enforcement process does not improve, that will be of little help.

 

This is coming in '09,On-Star will "slow the vehicle down" to prevent high speed chases.....

 

------------

OnStar Announces Stolen Vehicle Slowdown Service

- Oct. 9th Press Conference in Washington, D.C. -

 

 

Beginning with select 2009MY GM vehicles, OnStar will offer Stolen Vehicle Slowdown, an enhancement to the existing Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance.

 

Stolen Vehicle Slowdown gives OnStar subscribers added security by allowing OnStar Advisors, while working with law enforcement, to send a signal to a subscriber's stolen vehicle and gradually slow it down. The service is also expected to help reduce the risk of property damages, serious injuries or fatalities resulting from high-speed chases of stolen vehicles

 

 

Approximately 1.6 million 2009MY vehicles will be equipped with Stolen Vehicle Slowdown, and Chevrolet vehicles will account for over two-thirds of those.

 

Stolen Vehicle Slowdown supports OnStar's commitment to deliver unparalleled security and enhanced public safety on the road. For more details, please refer to the attached press release or visit http://www.onstar.com.

 

Thank you for your continued support.

[Raymond Lowe]

Hope things improve as Onstar has plans to expand the capabilities of its system, by disabling the vehicle........if the law enforcement process does not improve, that will be of little help.

 

That looks to be in future GM vehicles.

 

http://email.gmcanada.com/corpdb/cachq/pre...ea?OpenDocument

[denalitwin]

Well Onstar can add all the high tech stuff in the world, but, if you have to depend on law enforcement to work with Onstar and auto theft is 'not a priority'....and 12 hours later there is finally a stolen report written, what good is it......start tough enforcement of laws, that is the answer, they catch em, punish em, they may not do it again.........you cuddle them, plea bargin them, just a litlle slap on the hand...they continue their life of crime.

 

In the Valley, they arrested a guy that had been caught 4 times for auto theft....why was he out walking around?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hope things improve as Onstar has plans to expand the capabilities of its system, by disabling the vehicle........if the law enforcement process does not improve, that will be of little help.

 

This is coming in '09,On-Star will "slow the vehicle down" to prevent high speed chases.....

 

------------

OnStar Announces Stolen Vehicle Slowdown Service

- Oct. 9th Press Conference in Washington, D.C. -

 

 

Beginning with select 2009MY GM vehicles, OnStar will offer Stolen Vehicle Slowdown, an enhancement to the existing Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance.

 

Stolen Vehicle Slowdown gives OnStar subscribers added security by allowing OnStar Advisors, while working with law enforcement

 

[VSB V-Max]

Gotta love living in AZ. where it's not a question of if, but when your vehicle will get stolen... Insurance FTW!!!