Does OnStar Have Good Roadside Assistance Coverage?
Last Updated on February 27, 2023
Some vehicles come with OnStar roadside assistance.
By pressing the blue OnStar button, you can speak with a roadside assistance advisor or request roadside assistance directly from your vehicle.
Is OnStar’s roadside assistance coverage worth it? Should you sign up for OnStar’s roadside assistance coverage? Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about OnStar’s roadside assistance coverage.
Table of Contents:
- OnStar Roadside Assistance Plans
- OnStar Add-Ons and Separate Services
- OnStar Roadside Assistance Services
- How Does OnStar’s Roadside Assistance Work?
- How to Request OnStar Roadside Assistance
- Coverages Included with Your OnStar Subscription
- What Makes OnStar’s Roadside Assistance Unique?
OnStar Roadside Assistance Plans
OnStar offers four levels of roadside assistance plans, ranging from basic coverage to complete protection.
Plans are priced higher than competing roadside assistance plans. Instead of paying $5 per month for roadside assistance with competing providers, for example, you pay $25 to $50 per month for OnStar coverage. However, OnStar covers significantly more than an average roadside assistance plan, including automatic crash response, stolen vehicle assistance, vehicle location services, and more.
Here are OnStar’s roadside assistance plans and what they cover:
Connected Vehicle ($24.99 Per Month)
- Remote key fob
- Voice service
- Vehicle status
- Vehicle locate
- Remote personalization
- On-demand diagnostics
- Built-in Alexa
- In-vehicle streaming apps
- Connected navigation
- In-vehicle data
Safety & Security ($29.99 Per Month)
- Automatic crash response
- Emergency services
- OnStar Guardian App
- Crisis assist
- Roadside assistance
- Stolen vehicle assistance
- Turn-by-turn navigation
- No connected services (no remote key fob, voice service, vehicle status, vehicle locate, remote personalization, on-demand diagnostics, built-in Alexa, in-vehicle streaming apps, connected navigation, and in-vehicle data)
Essentials ($39.99 Per Month)
- Automatic crash response
- Emergency services
- OnStar Guardian app
- Crisis assist
- Roadside assistance
- Stolen vehicle assistance
- Turn-by-turn navigation
- Remote key fob, voice service, vehicle status, vehicle locate, remote personalization, and on-demand diagnostics
Premium ($49.99 Per Month)
- Automatic crash response
- Emergency services
- OnStar Guardian app
- Roadside assistance
- Crisis assist
- Stolen vehicle assistance
- Turn-by-turn navigation
- Everything included in Connected Vehicle
Included with Vehicle Purchase
You get certain services and features with the purchase of any OnStar vehicle, regardless of your subscription level, including:
Vehicle Diagnostics: OnStar monitors key operating systems and updates you on the health of the vehicle.
OnStar Smart Driver: Smart Driver monitors your driving behavior and provides tips on improving your driving skills.
Dealer Maintenance Notifications: Your vehicle can notify your preferred dealer when routine service is due.
Vehicle Mobile App: Your vehicle’s mobile app lets you stay connected to your vehicle, your preferred dealer, your rewards, and your special offers.
OnStar Add-Ons and Separate Services
If you don’t like any of the OnStar packages above but still want some OnStar services, then you can purchase certain items as you like, including:
- Unlimited data ($25 per month)
- Remote access ($14.99 per month)
- App access ($14.99 per month)
- OnStar Guardian app ($15 per month)
- Super Cruise ($25 per month)
OnStar Roadside Assistance Services
OnStar’s packages go above and beyond the service. However, their roadside assistance, which is just one of several parts in each package, provides similar coverage to other roadside assistance plans.
OnStar’s roadside assistance covers:
- Unlimited towing, including towing to the nearest gas station, service station, OnStar-approved repair shop, or a preferred mechanic
- Flat tire servicing, including flat tire inflation or flat tire changes
- Emergency fuel delivery
- Car battery service, including jumpstarts and emergency battery replacement
- Routing services, including directions to your desired location and other basic travel services
How Does OnStar’s Roadside Assistance Work?
OnStar’s roadside assistance works similar to roadside assistance from other companies: you can request service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, then get complimentary towing, fuel delivery, battery jumpstarts, and more.
OnStar’s packages apply to all cars you drive, regardless of whether you’re the passenger or the driver. It also covers services anywhere in the United States and Canada.
Most basic roadside assistance is covered by your OnStar plan. However, you may pay extra fees for labor-intensive repairs and services.
How to Request OnStar Roadside Assistance
You can request OnStar roadside assistance in four ways, including:
- Call 1-888-466-7827
- Request service online through OnStar.com
- Use the OnStar mobile app
- Click the blue OnStar button in your vehicle
Coverages Included with Your OnStar Subscription
Your OnStar subscription comes with roadside assistance and a bundle of other services. Depending on your subscription level (from $25 to $50 per month), you get some or all of the following services included with your OnStar subscription:
Automatic Crash Response: OnStar monitors your built-in vehicle sensors, receiving automatic alerts if you’re involved in a crash. After a crash, an OnStar Emergency-Certified Advisor contacts you, calls emergency services if necessary, and assists with the emergency response process. OnStar’s automatic crash response system also has Injury Severity Prediction, which helps first responders determine how serious injuries might be before they arrive on the scene.
Emergency Services: OnStar offers priority connection to OnStar Emergency-Certified Advisors, directing emergency services to your vehicle’s exact location, providing emergency personnel with additional details about the accident, and explaining the severity of any injuries.
OnStar Guardian App: The OnStar Guardian app lets you access OnStar safety services anywhere – including in or out of the vehicle.
Crisis Assist: OnStar offers special routing assistance and resources, helping you navigate crisis situations and severe weather.
Roadside Assistance: All OnStar plans except Connected Vehicle ($24.99 per month) come with roadside assistance, which includes coverage for flat tires, towing, fuel deliveries, and more.
Stolen Vehicle Assistance: OnStar advisors can help locate your stolen vehicle. They can pinpoint your vehicle’s location, then work with law enforcement to get your vehicle back quickly and safely.
Turn-By-Turn Navigation: OnStar comes with turn-by-turn navigation, helping you get directions with the push of a button. All OnStar subscriptions (except Connected Vehicle) come with turn-by-turn navigation, which provides similar functionality to a GPS.
Remote Key Fob: Your OnStar mobile app functions like a remote key fob. You can remotely lock and unlock your doors, flash the lights, and honk the horn or start and stop your vehicle – all via the mobile app.
Voice Service: OnStar offers voice service support, allowing you to connect to your vehicle using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistance. You can lock and unlock your doors remotely or even start and stop your vehicle by using your voice.
Vehicle Status: Get status updates on your vehicle. Check your vehicle’s fuel level, tire pressure, oil life, and odometer. Or, schedule a service appointment – all from your smartphone with your OnStar subscription.
Vehicle Locate: OnStar’s vehicle locate service lets you set boundary notifications, view your vehicle’s location on a map, get notifications for arrivals and departures, and monitor vehicle location at all times.
Remote Personalization: Personalize your vehicle remotely with OnStar, customizing your in-vehicle apps, preset radio stations, and more.
On-Demand Diagnostics: OnStar offers on-demand diagnostics, letting you know what’s wrong with your vehicle when warning lights appear on your dashboard. You can push the blue OnStar button, have an advisor run a report and pinpoint the issue, and get detailed information about what’s going on inside your car.
Built-In Amazon Alexa Support Within the Vehicle: OnStar supports Amazon Alexa within the vehicle, allowing you to enjoy full voice support when driving.
In-Vehicle Streaming Apps: OnStar’s Premium and Connected Vehicle subscriptions let you access in-vehicle streaming apps like Spotify, Audiobooks, The Weather Channel, and more.
Connected Navigation: OnStar’s connected navigation gives you real-time traffic alerts, point-of-interest updates, and other information about your route.
In-Vehicle Data: OnStar’s Premium and Connected Vehicle plans come with in-vehicle data, including access to an available Wi-Fi hotspot with support for up to seven devices.
What Makes OnStar’s Roadside Assistance Unique?
You have plenty of options for roadside assistance, including companies with cheaper packages than OnStar. What makes OnStar’s roadside assistance unique? Why pick OnStar for roadside assistance?
Here are some of the things that make OnStar’s roadside assistance unique:
Included Coverages, Protection Services, and More: You can’t buy OnStar roadside assistance on its own; instead, you buy OnStar roadside assistance as part of a package of vehicle protection services bundled with your OnStar subscription. Depending on your subscription, you get vehicle location services, automatic crash detection, in-vehicle Wi-Fi, remote access to your vehicle, and other perks, for example.
Unlimited Towing Miles: Most roadside assistance companies provide limited towing coverage. You might get free towing up to 10 miles, for example, before paying $5 to $10 per mile beyond that limit. OnStar, however, offers complimentary unlimited towing miles, helping you get to the nearest gas station, service station, or preferred mechanic, if needed.
Priced at $25 to $50 Per Month: OnStar’s roadside assistance is priced higher than competing options, costing $25 to $50 per month, depending on your package. These packages include far more than just roadside assistance, including your OnStar subscription, automatic crash detection, and more. In comparison, other roadside assistance companies charge $5 to $15 per month.
Included Travel Services: Your OnStar subscription comes with included travel services beyond what you get with other roadside assistance companies. OnStar can help you if you’re stranded, for example, and give you directions to your desired location.
Unlimited In-Vehicle Data for up to 7 Devices: OnStar subscriptions come with unlimited data, letting you access a Wi-Fi hotspot for up to seven devices.
Unlimited Service Requests: OnStar does not appear to restrict the number of service requests you can make. In comparison, most roadside assistance companies restrict you to 2 to 5 service calls per year.
Final Word on OnStar’s Roadside Assistance
OnStar is one of the best-rated roadside assistance and driver support subscription services available today.
The company provides comprehensive roadside assistance along with vehicle monitoring, crash detection, in-vehicle Wi-Fi, and more for $25 to $50 per month.
If you’re looking for basic roadside assistance at a cheap price, then OnStar may not be the right fit. However, if you’re looking for the ultimate peace of mind and protection, then OnStar’s subscription packages may be the right choice.
To learn more about OnStar and how it works or to browse OnStar subscriptions today, visit the official website at OnStar.com.