How much Onstar Costs, What it Includes, and other Frequently Asked Questions

One of the best things about buying a Chevrolet, Buick, or GMC vehicle, is having access to OnStar. OnStar is a premium service exclusive to these brands that provides drivers with additional safety and convenience features. If you’ve never used OnStar before, you may have some questions about how it works. Below, we’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about OnStar to help you better understand all the benefits it provides and how you can get it.

What Does OnStar Include?

Onstar can include a number of services, depending on what pricing plan you select. At the most premium level, you’ll get services like automatic crash response, emergency services, access to the OnStar Guardian app, crisis assistance, roadside assistance, stolen vehicle assistance, vehicle location, a remote key fob, and on-demand diagnostics. 

How Much Does OnStar Cost?

There are a few different pricing levels for OnStar services. The most basic plan is the Connected Vehicle plan and this costs $24.99 per month. With this plan, you get services like vehicle location and remote personalization. The next plan is the Safety and Security plan, which costs $29.99 per month. This plan includes OnStar’s safety features, like roadside assistance and automatic crash detection but does not include the connected services found in the Connected Vehicle plan.

To combine the features of the Connected Vehicle plan and the Safety and Security plan, you’ll want the Essentials plan. This plan costs $39.99 per month and includes all of the features found in the other two plans. The last plan option is the Premium plan. This plan also includes the features found in the Essentials plan, along with built-in Alexa capabilities. Since there are different plans available, you can decide which one you want to get based on the features you desire and how much you want to pay.

Can I Get a Free Trial of OnStar?

Some vehicle purchases come with a free trial of OnStar services. This is a great way to add more features to your new vehicle and test out OnStar before deciding if you want to buy it. When you purchase a vehicle that has OnStar capabilities, be sure to ask the dealership if there is any sort of free trial included or reduced cost.

Is OnStar Being Discontinued?

As of now, there are no plans to completely stop OnStar services. However, there may be some changes coming to how OnStar operates. For example, OnStar plans to phase out some of its hands-free calling features. This should not impact many of the other services provided by OnStar. In fact, with the recent release of the OnStar Guardian App, it’s more likely that OnStar will continue to offer even more services as time goes on. If you purchase a vehicle that comes with OnStar, you can rest easy knowing that there are no plans for OnStar to discontinue service in the near future.

Is OnStar Worth It?

In our opinion, yes, OnStar is worth getting. OnStar provides some great features to your vehicle that you’ll be very glad you have when the time arrives. For example, if you get into an accident, OnStar automatically detects this and alerts emergency assistance. If your car is stolen, OnStar can track it down and return it to you. Another great use of OnStar is when your car breaks down on the side of the road, as OnStar can send roadside assistance to your location using GPS. You may not use your OnStar services every day, but when the time comes that you need it, we think you’ll be glad you got it.

What Is the OnStar Guardian App?

The OnStar Guardian app allows you to access OnStar services directly from your smartphone. With the app, you can access services like mobile crash response, roadside assistance, and emergency services. You can also create a group through the app and invite your family members to join. By doing this, everyone in your family has access to the same OnStar features, plus you can view everyone’s location through a live map and receive real-time location updates. This is a great feature for parents with young drivers.

What Smartphones Are Compatible With OnStar?

The OnStar Guardian app is compatible with all the latest Android and Apple devices. If your Android device is running Android 7.0 or later, then it should be compatible with OnStar. The same goes for Apple iOS devices running 12.0 and above.

Which Vehicles Come With OnStar?

OnStar comes with Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac vehicles, manufactured from the year 2015 forward. While there are some features that are not available in every single model and trim, the majority of these vehicles have access to all OnStar services. New vehicle purchases typically come with a free trial of OnStar services. For pre-owned vehicles, you have the ability to connect your OnStar account to the existing equipment within the vehicle.

Can I Cancel My OnStar Service at Any Time?

Yes, you can cancel OnStar at any time. When you sign up for OnStar, you agree to a monthly payment. If you decide that you no longer wish to use OnStar services, you can cancel your plan and you will be able to continue using OnStar until the end of your current month.

Learn More About Getting OnStar for Your Vehicle

OnStar is one of the best reasons to get a Chevy, Buick, or GMC vehicle. If you want to learn more about how OnStar works or which vehicles have it, please contact Koons Clarksville Chevrolet Buick GMC. We can answer all your OnStar-related questions and help you decide if you want to get this service for your pre-owned vehicle. For new car purchases, you’ll receive a free trial of OnStar, allowing you to test out the benefits before committing to anything. We think you’ll love driving around with the peace of mind that OnStar provides. Come by our dealership to see firsthand how it works by taking out a new GMC or Buick for a test drive today. 
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Image via Pixabay by stux

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