Honestly, I get the logic behind skipping accident forgiveness if you’ve got a spotless record, but with the cars I drive, the stakes feel higher. My premiums jumped a ton after a minor fender bender a few years back—way more than what accident forgiveness would’ve cost me over time. I know it’s not for everyone, but if your vehicle’s value is up there, doesn’t the math tilt a bit? Ever run the numbers factoring in luxury or specialty models? Sometimes the “rainy day fund” doesn’t stretch as far as you’d hope...
I’ve actually been wrestling with this same question, but from the opposite end of the car spectrum. I drive a pretty basic sedan—nothing fancy, just something to get me to class and work. When I first started shopping for insurance, accident forgiveness sounded like one of those “nice to have” things, but I figured it was just another way for them to squeeze a few extra bucks out of me. I skipped it, thinking my clean record would keep me safe.
Then last winter, I slid on some black ice and tapped the bumper of a parked car. Barely a scratch, but my rates still went up by almost $40 a month when my policy renewed. That’s like $480 a year, which is way more than what accident forgiveness would’ve cost me. Looking back, even with my cheap car, it might’ve made sense just for the peace of mind.
I can only imagine how much worse it’d be if you’re driving something high-end or rare. The insurance company probably sees dollar signs as soon as they hear “luxury” or “specialty model.” I haven’t run the numbers for those kinds of cars, but if my little mishap cost me that much, I bet the jump is brutal for anything pricier.
The rainy day fund idea is solid in theory, but honestly, mine barely covers textbooks and gas most months. If you’re already stretching to cover repairs or higher premiums after an accident, that extra monthly charge for forgiveness starts to look like a bargain.
I guess it comes down to how much risk you’re willing to take on yourself. For me, after that one slip-up, I’m leaning toward adding it next time around—even if my car isn’t worth much. If you’re driving something valuable, I’d say it’s probably worth at least getting a quote and doing the math. Sometimes the “just in case” stuff really does pay off... even if it feels like overkill until you need it.
I totally get where you’re coming from—my bank account is basically allergic to surprise expenses. I used to think accident forgiveness was just another sneaky way for insurance companies to grab my lunch money, but after my roommate’s fender bender last year, I started rethinking it. His rates shot up, and he drives an even older car than mine. The “rainy day fund” thing is kind of a joke for me too; half the time, I’m just hoping there’s enough left for coffee after gas. Even if your car isn’t fancy, one little mistake can haunt your wallet for ages. Might be worth coughing up a bit more each month just to dodge the rate hike drama.
Honestly, I’ve been on the fence about accident forgiveness too. It feels like paying for something you hope you never use, but after seeing my cousin’s insurance spike after a minor rear-end, I’m starting to see the value. In Ohio, rates can jump a lot even for small accidents. I guess it comes down to whether you think you’re likely to need it—like, do you have a long commute or drive in a lot of traffic? If you’re mostly just around town, maybe it’s less crucial, but for daily highway driving, I’m leaning toward paying the extra just for peace of mind.
I get where you’re coming from—nobody loves paying extra for something they might never need. But honestly, in Ohio, the way rates jump after even a small fender-bender can be brutal. I’ve seen clients with spotless records get hit hard after just one accident. Have you looked at how much your premium would go up without forgiveness compared to the cost of adding it? Sometimes the math actually works out in your favor, especially if you’re driving in rush hour a lot. Curious if you’ve run those numbers or just going by gut?
