CaseyGerry is investigating allegations against the OnStar Service offered by General Motors (GM) for collecting and selling data on consumers’ driving habits.
The allegations are the most recent in a troubling trend amongst car manufacturers, who have been tracking consumer driving habits and selling that data to data aggregators and/or insurance companies, resulting in an increase auto insurance rates. Drivers’ information, which included driving habits such as hard braking and rapid acceleration, was sent to companies such as LexisNexis, which used the information to assign “risk scores” to drivers.
GM’s OnStar service can track and share information with third parties on drivers’ habits to analyze vehicle performance and educate drivers on safe driving practices if they opt-in.
However, the service did more than examine performance and encourage safe driving practices, as numerous complaints came from drivers stating that their insurance premium increased due to reports on driving habits, even though they did not consent or were not aware that they consented to this service.
A lawsuit has been filed against GM’s OnStar for sharing drivers’ data with LexisNexis, an information and analytics company that analyzes data trends and patterns. In the lawsuit, LexisNexis was accused of using the data to assign a “risk score” and selling the data to insurance companies.
GM and information peddlers may have also violated consumer privacy laws..
GM introduced the OnStar service in 1995, and by the end of 2021, there were 5 million OnStar subscribers in over 50 GM models. In February 2024, GM announced that starting in 2025, all new GM vehicles will have the OnStar service at no additional cost.
After numerous consumer complaints about OnStar data tracking, GM announced in April 2024 that it would discontinue its OnStar services due to privacy complaints. However, by this point, millions of individuals had been tracked without their knowledge or informed consent.
What are the allegations?
GM and OnStar, as well as LexisNexis, have been accused of violating the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which determines how reporting agencies collect and use consumer credit information.
Drivers who have been impacted can seek justice by joining the Class Action if they qualify.
How do I know if I qualify?
You most likely qualify to join the Class Action and may receive monetary compensation for the impact of this practice on your insurance rates.
- If you purchased or leased a GM vehicle
- If you opted out of, or did not knowingly consent to, the use of GM’s OnStar Service
- If you have a clean driving record and no new incidents since your last insurance renewal, yet your new insurance rates have increased exponentially,
- If you received notice that information on your driving habits has been shared with third parties
What can I do if I qualify?
CaseyGerry is representing those who have been affected by this practice. We invite you to contact our complex litigation attorneys to discuss your case.
Please complete the form below to get started. For questions regarding this case or another matter, please contact us at (619) 238-1811 to speak to an attorney.
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