If you drive a GM vehicle—like a Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, or Cadillac—you might want to check your auto insurance bill. General Motors has faced ongoing litigation and regulatory scrutiny over allegations that its OnStar Smart Driver system tracked drivers’ habits (such as speed, braking, and routine routes) and sold that data to risk and data brokers.
The result? Unsuspecting drivers have watched their car insurance rates spike out of nowhere.
Several major law firms have stepped up to hold GM accountable on behalf of affected owners:
- Labaton Keller Sucharow: Pursuing mass arbitrations for affected drivers.
- DiCello Levitt: Handling consumer privacy class actions.
- Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy and Milberg Coleman Bryson Phillips Grossman: Co-leading separate tracking and privacy actions.
💰 What Are the Potential Payouts?
- Class Action Settlements: Standard baseline privacy payouts typically land between $50 and $300 per driver.
- Mass Arbitration & Individual Damages: If you can prove tangible financial harm—such as canceled policies or insurance hikes costing thousands of dollars—recoveries could range from $1,000 to $5,000+ per vehicle.
🚗 The Bigger Picture: Your Car is a Data Factory
GM isn’t the only culprit. Over 80% of automakers continue to vacuum up location data, media preferences, and routine travel habits. They bundle this into behavioral profiles (inferring things like your shopping habits, work status, and daily schedule) to license to third-party marketers.
Want to stop the tracking?
- Disable Location & Smart Services: Dive into your vehicle’s infotainment settings to turn off location tracking.
- Disconnect Telematics: Avoid syncing phone-based driving apps unless it’s strictly necessary.
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