- Seen a lot of folks with spotless records get hit with their first at-fault, and then rates jump way more than they expect.
- Had one guy last year—20+ years clean, one minor accident, his premium shot up almost $600/year. He was not happy.
- Accident forgiveness would've saved him, but yeah, if you’re super careful and don’t mind shopping around, I get skipping it.
- Just tricky... sometimes that “just in case” does actually pay off, but it’s a gamble either way.
I hear this all the time, especially in Ohio—folks with years of clean driving, and then one little fender bender hits and the rate hike feels like a punch in the gut. That example you mentioned:
Had one guy last year—20+ years clean, one minor accident, his premium shot up almost $600/year. He was not happy.
That’s rough, and honestly, it’s more common than people think. I’ve seen similar cases where someone’s been driving forever without a scratch, then has a small at-fault accident, and suddenly they’re staring at a bill that’s way higher than they ever expected. The thing is, insurance companies in Ohio can be pretty unforgiving when it comes to first-time accidents, even if you’ve got a spotless record. It’s like all that good behavior gets wiped out by a single mistake.
Accident forgiveness is kind of like paying for peace of mind. If you know you’re the cautious type and rarely drive, maybe it feels like throwing money away. But, as you pointed out, sometimes that “just in case” coverage does pay off. I’ve had clients who skipped it for years, then regretted it after a random parking lot mishap or a deer darting out at dusk. On the flip side, I get why some folks skip it—especially if they’re willing to shop around after an accident or don’t mind switching companies.
One thing worth noting: not every insurer offers accident forgiveness in Ohio, and some only let you use it once every few years. Plus, there are usually eligibility rules (like you have to have a clean record for a certain number of years before you qualify). It’s not always as cut-and-dry as the ads make it seem.
If you’re someone who stresses about “what ifs,” it might be worth the extra few bucks a month just to avoid that nasty surprise down the road. If you’re comfortable taking the risk and keeping an eye on your rates, maybe not. I wish there was a one-size-fits-all answer, but really, it comes down to how much risk you’re willing to take on yourself versus paying a little extra for that safety net.
Honestly, I lean toward recommending it for people who are super protective of their rates or who’d lose sleep over a big jump. But yeah...it’s always a bit of a gamble either way.
I’ve seen folks in Ohio get hit with those rate hikes and it’s like, “Wait, what did I do to deserve this?” One little scrape and suddenly you’re paying more than your neighbor with three speeding tickets. The thing with accident forgiveness is, yeah, it’s not cheap, but neither is a $600 jump in your premium. I’ve had people tell me they’d rather buy a fancy coffee every day than pay for accident forgiveness—until they back into a mailbox and suddenly that coffee doesn’t taste so sweet.
But here’s the kicker: not all companies even offer it, and some make you jump through hoops to qualify. Plus, if you’re the type who shops around after an accident, sometimes you can find a better deal elsewhere anyway. Personally, I think it’s worth it if you’re the kind of person who’d lose sleep over a surprise rate hike. If you’re more of a risk-taker or just don’t drive much, maybe skip it and roll the dice. Just don’t be shocked if that one “oops” moment costs more than you bargained for.
I get what you mean about the rate hikes feeling random. Like,
That’s honestly what worries me most. I’m super careful, but accidents happen to everyone eventually, right? Has anyone actually had accident forgiveness save them from a huge premium jump, or is it mostly just peace of mind? I keep wondering if it’s really worth the extra cost if you’ve got a clean record for years...“One little scrape and suddenly you’re paying more than your neighbor with three speeding tickets.”
Honestly, I’ve wondered the same thing. I drive a ton for work and haven’t had an accident in years, but every time I see “accident forgiveness” pop up, I start second-guessing myself. Is it just insurance companies playing on our paranoia? Or is it actually a lifesaver if you get unlucky one day? I mean, if you’re paying extra for years and never use it, it feels kinda pointless... but then again, what if you do need it? Ugh, insurance is such a gamble.
