How to Track a Stolen Car with OnStar

According to the Insurance Information Institute, over 870,000 vehicles were stolen in 2020, increasing 9.2% over the previous year’s data. So, what can you do to prevent your vehicle from getting stolen? Experts suggest locking your car, closing your windows, parking in well-lit areas, and using a car alarm. But, of course, these seem like obvious ideas, and they don’t always deter a theft. Savvy car thieves can circumvent locks and alarms, and some thieves have no problem taking a vehicle in broad daylight.

In 2019, authorities recovered 56.1% of stolen vehicles, and of those, 30% sustained damage to some degree. You might not be able to prevent a thief from stealing your car, but you can take steps to recover it. The faster you retrieve your vehicle, the less opportunity thieves will have to cause any real damage. Installing or activating a GPS retrieval system such as OnStar gives you a real chance at getting your car back quickly. Here’s how it works.

What Is OnStar?

OnStar provides subscription-based communication services for automobiles. As a subsidiary of General Motors, you’ll find OnStar-equipped vehicles throughout the Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC lineup. Most new cars come with a free trial subscription allowing you to test the service. OnStar provides various services, including navigation, emergency, hands-free calling, remote diagnostics, and security.

OnStar has a menu of various plans offering different levels of services. OnStar’s Safety and Security Plan includes Stolen Vehicle Assistance, which provides the tools to recover your vehicle if the unthinkable happens.

Stolen Vehicle Assistance

If you have a factory-installed theft-deterrent system in your car and you arm it, OnStar’s Stolen Vehicle Assistance will send you a theft alarm notification when your vehicle alarm activates. This early warning allows you to see what happened. If you go outside and see your car driving away, you can immediately report it stolen to OnStar. 

Once you contact OnStar, an advisor will contact the local authorities and report your vehicle as stolen. Then, they can activate your car’s GPS and begin tracking it. The technology can be used to find your vehicle and can remotely slow your vehicle down in some cases.

Once your stolen vehicle comes to a stop, OnStar can activate the Remote Ignition Block system. Once activated, the Remote Ignition Block prevents the thief from restarting your car. At this point, the thief typically abandons the vehicle, leaving it for the authorities to pick up.

Car thieves steal cars for various reasons. Some might be looking for a joy ride, while others might want to take parts off the vehicle to use or sell. Professional car thieves might sell the entire car to a chop shop or some other illicit group. A joy ride loses its appeal when OnStar starts slowing down the vehicle. Taking parts off a stolen car takes time, and OnStar’s GPS locator can cut that time drastically, sometimes before the criminals can get to work. 

In addition to the Stolen Vehicle Assistance service, you get access to five other services.

Automatic Crash Response

OnStar uses built-in vehicle sensors to activate the Automatic Crash Response System. A specially trained OnStar advisor connects to your vehicle via a hands-free call when the sensors detect a collision. The advisor can help by contacting emergency services and first responders to report your location using the GPS locator. Also, you can ask the advisor to contact someone from your emergency contacts list. If you need a tow truck, they can help with that as well.

The advisor will automatically notify first responders if you get injured in an accident and can’t ask for help. OnStar sensors can predict the likelihood of serious injuries using their Injury Severity Prediction algorithm. 

Emergency Services

You don’t have to get into a car accident to need emergency help. For instance, you might have injured yourself or someone with you, and getting to a hospital on your own might not be possible. With the push of a button, you can connect with an OnStar advisor. Your advisor can dispatch an ambulance to your location, getting you the help you need fast.

Crisis Assist

When severe weather or a natural disaster strikes, OnStar can assist you in many ways. OnStar coordinates with first responders and emergency services personnel during a crisis and will give you information, special routing to safety if necessary, and the comfort of talking with a human being. In addition, your OnStar advisor can connect you with loved ones to let them know your situation, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Roadside Assistance

Sometimes, the situation doesn’t require medical personnel or the police. For example, you might have a flat tire, run out of gas, or have a dead battery. Again, with the push of a button, an OnStar advisor will answer the call and dispatch a tow truck, more fuel, a jump start, or whatever you might need to get you to your destination.

Turn-By-Turn Navigation

You might find yourself lost and maybe even misplaced your cellphone. Not to worry, OnStar can help. When you connect with an OnStar advisor, they can download turn-by-turn directions right to your vehicle. Then, if necessary, they can call out the turns to you as you drive. OnStar advisors have access to databases with over 1 million businesses, landmarks, and locations that don’t even have an address.

You don’t want your vehicle stolen any more than you want to break down, or get in a car crash. Yet, these situations do occur. So, do yourself a favor and prepare for these incidents by enabling the OnStar system in your car, truck, or SUV. You’ll be glad you did the first time you need to push that blue button to call an OnStar advisor.

If you live in the Clarksville, MD, area and want to learn more about OnStar services, you can contact us at Koons Clarksville Chevrolet Buick GMC. One of our friendly, knowledgeable staff will answer any questions and happily demonstrate how the system works. Remember, with OnStar you don’t have to drive alone. Help is one blue button push away.

Image via Flickr by cletch

Tags: Onstar, Stolen Vehicle
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