I get where you’re coming from—it’s definitely not a magic fix, but in my experience, it’s better than nothing if you’re the type who likes to play it safe. Here’s how I look at it:
1. Check what your insurer actually considers “accident forgiveness.” Some only waive your first at-fault, and some have limits on the payout amount or frequency.
2. Run the math. If you’re paying a noticeable premium for the feature, compare that to the average rate hike in Ohio after a fender bender. I’ve seen increases of $400+ per year here, so even a “small bump” can add up fast without forgiveness.
3. Consider your driving habits. If you’ve got a spotless record and drive like a grandma (no offense to grandmas), maybe it’s not worth it. But if you’ve had a couple close calls, it could be a worthwhile buffer.
4. Don’t forget—some companies drop you after a major claim, forgiveness or not. Always read the fine print.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a gamble, but I’d rather spend a little extra for peace of mind than risk a big surprise down the road. Insurance companies do love their fine print...
I get the appeal of paying for peace of mind, but honestly, I’m not convinced it’s always worth the extra cost, especially here in Ohio. After my last at-fault, my rates shot up way more than I expected, but the forgiveness option on my policy wouldn’t have covered the whole increase anyway—it had a cap buried in the details. Feels like a lot of these “perks” are just another way for insurers to squeeze a few more bucks out of you. If you’re already labeled high-risk, sometimes they find another reason to bump your rates regardless. Just seems like you’re paying for a safety net that doesn’t always catch you.
Honestly, you’re not wrong about the fine print—accident forgiveness isn’t always as straightforward as it sounds. A lot of people think it’s a get-out-of-jail-free card, but most policies have limits on how much they’ll actually “forgive,” and some only apply it once every few years. In Ohio, rates can jump pretty sharply after an at-fault, but like you mentioned, if you’re already considered high-risk, the insurer might still find other ways to justify a rate hike.
I usually tell folks to weigh the extra cost against their driving record and risk tolerance. If you’ve never had an accident or ticket, paying for forgiveness every year might not be worth it. But if you’ve got a history or just want that peace of mind, sometimes it makes sense—just gotta read the details carefully. I’ve seen clients surprised by those caps or exclusions buried in the policy docs.
It’s one of those things where you really have to crunch the numbers and decide if the “safety net” is worth what you’re paying for it—or if you’re better off just banking that extra money yourself in case something happens down the road.
Yeah, I’ve seen a lot of folks get tripped up by the “forgiveness” part—sometimes it only covers your first accident, and if you have another one too soon, you’re out of luck. In Ohio, rate hikes after an at-fault can be rough, but if you’re a clean driver, you might be better off skipping it and just keeping your record spotless. Personally, I’d only consider it if I had a couple close calls or a not-so-great history. Just make sure to double-check those policy details...they can sneak in some weird exclusions.
I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, with the price of repairs on higher-end cars, I’d rather pay for accident forgiveness than risk a premium spike. One fender bender and my rates shot up for years... wasn’t pretty. Just wish these policies were clearer about what they actually cover—some of them feel like a magic trick.
