GM is 'Sharing' Driving Data with Insurance Companies

GM makes 'low millions' selling OnStar Smart Driver data to brokers who assemble risk reports for insurance companies. The good news? You can opt-out.

Editors Note:
I did explore the "MyChevrolet" app on my iPhone. Sure enough, OnStar (which I do not have an active account) had been logging all sorts of data, like; how many times I exceeded 80mph, how many times did I apply hard braking, and more. Look for "Trip Overviews and Insights" bottom of home page. On an iPhone there is a button which defaults to "on" - I was able to turn that off. Android devices should have the same ability - if you are so inclined.

Back in the 1980s, enthusiasts said computers would ruin hot-rodding. A prediction that was wrong at the time, but may ultimately prove prescient. Case in point, today's warning for 2015+ Corvette owners in the New York Times concerning OnStar Smart Driver. The feature, built into the myChevrolet mobile app, supposedly "provides driving insights on how you can become a smarter, safer driver," rating drivers based on instances of hard accelerating, hard braking, wearing a seat belt, and time spent north of 80 mph.

You know… all the things Corvettes are really good at doing.

launched and the first year of OBD-II, feature a computer that can store data, almost like an airplane's black box. Crash a car and the police get involved? The computer will tell authorities exactly how you were driving. Need to get warranty service after a blown motor? The computer can tell the dealership how you were driving and whether or not you've ever modified the tune.

What IS new, in the last decade or so, is the rise of vehicles with wireless connections, which operate on cellular networks.

OEMs tout wireless connectivity because automakers can remotely update vehicle software and offer more (paid) connected services like navigation, Google apps integration, and more. But the downside, like almost every new electronic device or app sold today, is that automakers like GM are now able to collect live, real-time data about any vehicle.

Fortunately, GM requires consent to share information with data brokers and insurance companies. From the Times While the myChevrolet app works with most 2010 or newer GM vehicles, OnStar Smart Driver requires a "capable 2015 model year or newer GM vehicle." So consider this a PSA for 2015-2019 C7 Corvette owners and 2020+ C8 Corvette owners. GM says that OnStar Smart Driver is "available with any OnStar Safety and Security plan or bundle," which is a paid subscription service.

In theory, you could unsubscribe to all of OnStar, although you'd be losing features like roadside assistance and remote vehicle unlocking. However, dropping OnStar may not be enough. From the Times, "some drivers with vehicles made by G.M. say they were tracked even when they did not turn on the feature - called OnStar Smart Driver - and that their insurance rates went up as a result."

As such, we recommend going into your myChevrolet app and making sure that you are NOT specifically enrolled in OnStar Smart Driver regardless of your current OnStar subscription status. Especially since an OnStar trial period is included with all new, and some used, Corvette purchases.

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Source: Michael Palmer - GM Authority

Posted 3/22/24