We travel for months at a time and when we do, I sign up for the OnStar unlimited data plan at $25/month. It is much better than our Verizon iPhones at picking up a signal.

I opt out of all their other services.

We had OnStar service for 5 years provided by our dealer when we purchased the truck.  We didn’t use many of the OnStar services.

We did take advantage of the initial offering of their unlimited data plan at $15 a month.  It was mostly just okay but occasionally very useful.

Supposedly we were “grandfathered” into the data plan at $15 but when our dealer provided OnStar subscription expired they accidentally cancelled our data plan as well.  I spent hours on the phone trying to get it reinstated.  Everyone I spoke to agreed that it shouldn’t have been cancelled and we should get the $15 plan but no one could do anything because the plan was no longer in their system.    My experience dealing with OnStar customer service led me to conclude that I didn’t want to deal with them in the future.

For emergencies I carry a Garmin InReach.  I’ve also thought about an Apple Watch for crash detection but haven’t followed through on that yet.

When we purchased our truck in 2015 they compared on-star to satellite coverage, NOT. It would not work in a remote campground that we frequent but hiking 100’ up an adjacent hill we can get enough cell coverage for texting but not on-star function. We cancelled our subscription and purchased a Garmin Mini which is connected to a real satellite network.

I have Onstar. May not be best in the outback, but going thru cities, I find it useful.  Emergencies, one button… and not have to go thru the process of the cellphone- where are you, what service is needed, call back #, etc. Onstar can provide info to EMS about you, including your location.  

There are APPs that can provide the same functionality to any cellphone in terms of crash detection/EMS response; one example is Life 360 ($15 a month).  The advantage is that it is on your phone - not limited to one vehicle.  Your family members are able to see each other's location on a map in real time.  If you are waiting for a family member, you know where they are - on the road headed to you, in the camp ground or where inside the Home Depot.  Like OnStar, it requires cell service to work.

If you want complete coverage outdoors, Garmin InReach devices are your best best.

Supposedly, T-Mobile phones will be able to access Starlink satellites directly starting next year for messaging.

We have a Garmin InReach.  It is a handheld GPS with a built in map, and it is an emergency communicator to any cellphone in the world and Garmin's 24/7 emergency center.

I think it depends on what other plans you have or have access to. We used the very basic onstar wifi service because we are generally luddites and do not have data plans or even cell phones. The basic plan was ok and we used it on a number of trips. The ‘full meal deal’ was way more than we would ever use and seemed to me to be a lesser version of what we could have through apps etc. if we were interested in all that stuff.

Hi Guys

I have the Alberta Motor-vehicle Association (AMA) membership which covers both my truck and my trailer for $150 a year.

My wife’s car is also covered under the same membership so in total we pay about $250 CAD.

AMA is also affiliated with AAA so I am cover when I am in the US.

As far as I know OnStar does not cover trailers and it is very expensive.

If you have a new cellular phone you are way better off than OnStar. My new Apple 14 has Sat sos coverage if it is an emergency. We also have a Satellite communicator so no need for OnStar.



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New Reply By Techguy

Is OnStar worth the money Reply by Techguy Hi Guys I have the Alberta Motor-vehicle Association (AMA) membership which covers both my truck and my trailer for $150 a year. My wife’s car is also covered under the same membership so in total we pay about $250 CAD. AMA is also affiliated with AAA so I am cover when I am in the US. As far as I know OnStar does not cover trailers and it is very expensive. [ View Reply ]

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@Stretch posted:

If you have a new cellular phone you are way better off than OnStar. My new Apple 14 has Sat sos coverage if it is an emergency. We also have a Satellite communicator so no need for OnStar.

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 5, 2023, at 3:29 PM, Lance Owners of America <admin@lanceowners.org> wrote:

Hi Stretch
Does that include iPhone 11?

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New Reply By Techguy

Is OnStar worth the money Reply by Techguy Hi Guys I have the Alberta Motor-vehicle Association (AMA) membership which covers both my truck and my trailer for $150 a year. My wife’s car is also covered under the same membership so in total we pay about $250 CAD. AMA is also affiliated with AAA so I am cover when I am in the US. As far as I know OnStar does not cover trailers and it is very expensive. [ View Reply ]

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Don't know if OnStar is the same as the early days.

On mine if I got into an accident and unconcious. OnStar will call you to see if you need help. If you don't respond they will contact 1st responders with your location.

Can your phone make a call if you're unconcious?

@pau hana posted:

Don't know if OnStar is the same as the early days.

On mine if I got into an accident and unconcious. OnStar will call you to see if you need help. If you don't respond they will contact 1st responders with your location.

Can your phone make a call if you're unconcious?

The answer is - yes.  Probably not without a second party APP, like Life 360.  Life 360 is one fee for your family members versus per car for OnStar.

The advantages to Life 360 and other APPs like it are:  that it is on your phone (it goes with you to any car (others you own, friend's, rental and etc.) and it tracks you and your family members phones (you know where your phone is, you know how far away your family member that is meeting you is, you know where your spouse is inside the big store and etc.

The only way OnStar works (unless something has changed) is if you have cell service. No bars, no emergency help.



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New Reply By Elliott

Is OnStar worth the money Reply by Elliott @pau hana posted: Don't know if OnStar is the same as the early days. On mine if I got into an accident and unconcious. OnStar will call you to see if you need help. If you don't respond they will contact 1st responders with your location. Can your phone make a call if you're unconcious? The answer is - yes.  Probably not without a second party APP, like Life 360.  Life 360 is one fee for your family members versus per car for OnStar. The advantages to Life 360 and other APPs like it are:  that it is on your phone (it goes with you to any car (others you own, friend's, rental and etc.) and it tracks you and your family members phones (you know where your phone is, you know how far away your family member that is meeting you is, you know where your spouse is inside the big store and etc. [ View Reply ]

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My 2009 Chevy dually had On Star until this winter.  They quit recognizing G2 signals.  Now I use my phone to connect to On Star Guardian.  I miss the pickup's service needed reminders though.

Late to this party:

In the early 2000's, I was teaching Information Technology stuff to GM management in Detroit and around the globe.

From what the folks I was teaching told me, it was the historical location records that GM kept about OnStar users that helped them help law enforcement catch the DC Snipers.

Be careful what you allow to be recorded about you.

Good point Simon, I also hear that our smart phones do the same thing if not better than OnStar.