OnStar--Anyone ever used it for an emergency?

[dianne]

I just renewed my OnStar and, although I feel much safer having it, I can think of several other things to do with the money. I must admit their commercials have very powerful messages and played a big part in my decision to continue paying the annual fee.

I was wondering if anyone had ever lived out one of the OnStar commercial experiences?--where you couldn''t call for help-- or you were so hurt/stunned that to physically make the call from a cell phone would have been very difficult.

OR

Have you used OnStar to summon help for an accident that didn''t involve you? I think you can do this (stay at the accident location) and OnStar can locate your vehicle and guide emergency vehicles.

In either case did OnStar work as well as their advertisements claim?

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

I had onstar in my last car. I never used it, but I got a pretty good ins discount because of it.

 

[ms.halo]

I''ve never used mine in an accident, but my husband once locked the keys in the trunk and OnStar was able to unlock the car for him within a minute or two via satellite.

 

[beau13]

Date: 7/27/2009 4:59:58 PM
Author: ms.halo
I''ve never used mine in an accident, but my husband once locked the keys in the trunk and OnStar was able to unlock the car for him within a minute or two via satellite.

I never use my Onstar, however..I agree with ms.halo ..if I ever did lock my keys in the car, I feel good knowing that I could have the car unlocked and retrieve my keys within minutes! I like the fact that I can use the Onstar phone, when my cell gets no reception (remote areas), or it dies, and I don`t have my car charger!

 

[dianne]

The ability to unlock the car is a great nice-to-have. I use OnStar instead of my cell phone when I''m driving and can forward my cell to the car phone number and talk hands-free all the time. Since OnStar was with Verizon, and so are our cell phones, I just added the car phone number to my current plan for $10 more a month and all three numbers share our minutes. We never use all our minutes so it''s never a problem.

I''m really curious to know if OnStar emergency services work well. I''m glad no one has had to use them but I figured someone would know someone...who knew someone....you know, just to see if it worked well.

 

[packrat]

How much does it cost for a year? We don''t have it, but we''ve talked about, when it''s time for a new vehicle, getting one that has it. I figure the peace of mind would be worth the cost..especially if the kids are in the car.

 

[UCLABelle]

A friend used it in a car accident. Very helpful. However, I do not have it, so no first-hand experiences...

 

[dianne]

Date: 7/27/2009 6:59:57 PM
Author: packrat
How much does it cost for a year? We don''t have it, but we''ve talked about, when it''s time for a new vehicle, getting one that has it. I figure the peace of mind would be worth the cost..especially if the kids are in the car.

My vehicle came with one free year but my renewal was $199. It''s really nice to be able to try it out for a year. You get monthly diagnostic emails that show your tire pressure, remaining oil life expectancy, and if it''s time for any maintenance.

 

[dianne]

Date: 7/27/2009 11:02:33 PM
Author: SanDiegoLady
We get calls from Onstar and whoever thier customer service people can be really awful at providing information expediently. Quite frustrating when we need to get the call started like RIGHT NOW.. !!

SDL--You definitely have a first-hand knowledge of how this service is working and you would have much more contact with them than the individual user. It''s a bit worrisome to know the customer service is not up to par, though, especially in a life or death situation.

 

[snowflakeluvr]

SDL-I will pass this info onto hubby...

My hubby is a top exec at OnStar. He is basically oncall 24/7 if there are "system" issues. If things go down, it is a perpetual conference call in our bedroom(that''s where he hides from our kids) and they take it huber seriously. My son, who''s a type 1 diabetic was given an OnStar vehicle before he left for college. It''s awesome knowing that if he would (God forbid) pass out behind the wheel or have an emergency issue that OnStar would be capable of tracking him quickly. My sons even saw an accident this summer when they did a midnight run to Meijer''s(grocery/all goods store) and called OnStar when they came upon it. Response was quick and my silly, funny 19yr old rolled in after they returned home and told me the story. He said, "mom, I''m a superhero!". OnStar is developing a product that can be used in a non-Onstar vehicle. I am completely directionally illiterate and I will be the first to buy it for my non GM, but paid for, vehicle. I love the idea of talking to an actual person but have had our share of laughs when OnStar advisors don''t get it. Sometimes I want to say, "If you only knew who my husband is"

My husband has met people whose lives were saved by OnStar. He is extremely hard-working and dedicated to his profession so he is proud to work for a product that can actually help others! And a a perk, now he works for the "people''s car company"

 

[tyty333]

My parent''s dog locked them out of the car with the car running (and their cell phones in it). They got
a hold of a phone and made a call to on-star and wah--la the doors were unlocked.