Car Subscriptions You Forgot About in 2026: The Hidden $500-2,000/Year
Updated February 2026 • 9 min read
📊 Between satellite radio, connected services, roadside assistance, and cloud storage, the average car now generates $500-2,000/year in recurring subscription fees beyond the car payment and insurance.
The Complete Car Subscription Audit
1. Satellite Radio: $130-200/year
SiriusXM ($11-17/month) — came free with your car, then auto-renewed at full price. Most people don't realize they're paying because the charge appears as "SIRIUS XM" or "SXM" on statements.
💡 Alternative: Spotify/Apple Music via Bluetooth ($11/mo or free), podcasts (free), iHeartRadio (free)
2. Connected Car Services: $150-420/year
- OnStar/GM: $25-35/month — remote start, stolen vehicle assistance, WiFi hotspot
- BMW ConnectedDrive: $15-40/month — remote services, navigation, heated seats
- Tesla Premium Connectivity: $10/month — streaming, satellite maps, live traffic
- Toyota Remote Connect: $8/month — remote start (on hardware already in your car)
- FordPass Connect: $8-15/month — remote access, WiFi hotspot
💡 What's actually useful: Remote start in extreme weather. Everything else your phone does better.
3. Roadside Assistance: $60-175/year
AAA ($60-172/year depending on tier). But check first:
- Your car insurance probably includes roadside ($2-4/month add-on)
- Your credit card may include it (Visa Signature, Amex Platinum)
- Your car manufacturer includes 3-5 years free with new purchase
💡 If covered elsewhere: Cancel AAA and save $100+/year
4. Extended Warranties: $100-300/year
Dealer extended warranties are the highest-margin product dealers sell (50-70% margins). The average warranty costs $1,500-3,000 total and pays out only 40-60% of that in claims.
💡 Alternative: Self-insurance HYSA — put the warranty payment into savings and pay for repairs as needed
5. Dashcam Cloud Storage: $36-120/year
- Ring Car Cam: $6-10/month for cloud storage
- Nexar: Free basic, $4-10/month for unlimited cloud
- Viofo/Thinkware: $3-6/month for cloud features
💡 Alternative: Use a dashcam with local SD card storage (Viofo A229 Pro, $180 one-time, no subscription). Saves cloud footage only for incidents you manually select.
6. Parking & Navigation Apps: $60-200/year
- SpotHero Premium, ParkMobile: Convenience fees of $1-3 per transaction
- Waze+/Premium: Waze is free — don't pay for premium if offered
- EZ-Pass/toll transponders: Statement fees, low-balance reloads — check if you're on an aggressive reload plan
The Audit Checklist
Search your bank statement for these keywords:
- SIRIUS, SXM, XM RADIO
- ONSTAR, GM FINANCIAL
- TESLA, BMW, TOYOTA CONNECT
- AAA, AMERICAN AUTO
- CARFAX, BUMPER, VINCHECK
- RING, NEXAR, VIOFO
- PARKMOBILE, SPOTHERO
- WARRANTY, ENDURANCE, CARCHEX
Cancel Guides
- Cancel SiriusXM — retention scripts + FTC reference
- Cancel Tesla Premium Connectivity — what you keep for free
- Cancel BMW ConnectedDrive — heated seat subscription controversy
- Cancel AAA — free alternatives comparison
🔍 Find every car subscription in 30 seconds
Upload your bank statement to JustCancel — we identify SiriusXM, OnStar, AAA, warranty payments, and every other recurring charge automatically.
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