I hear you on the “gamble” aspect. I’ve had the same debate with myself over the years. Like you, I’m a pretty careful driver—no accidents on my record for a long time, knock on wood. Paying extra for something I might never use feels counterintuitive, especially when you’re already shelling out for coverage you hope you never need.
That said, I think your point about commute and traffic is spot on. I used to have a short drive to work, mostly back roads, and never really worried about it. But after switching jobs and dealing with I-71 every morning, my perspective shifted a bit. Even if you’re cautious, there’s always that wild card—someone else’s mistake, a patch of black ice, a deer darting out. It’s not always about your own driving.
“It’s one of those things where you hope you never need it, but if you do, you’re glad it’s there.”
That sums it up perfectly. I ended up adding accident forgiveness after a friend got rear-ended at a stoplight and saw his rates spike, even though he wasn’t at fault. Insurance companies don’t always see things the way we do, unfortunately. For me, the extra cost is like paying for a little less stress if something unexpected happens. But I totally get why it feels unnecessary if your risk is low.
Honestly, I think it comes down to your own comfort level with risk. If you’re sleeping fine at night without it, maybe that’s your answer. But if you’re like me and tend to worry about “what ifs,” it might be worth the peace of mind, even if it feels like a bit of a hedge.
That’s a really solid way to look at it. I’ve gone back and forth myself, especially after a near-miss on 270 last winter—no matter how careful you are, you can’t control everything. I totally get the hesitation about paying for something you might never use, but your point about peace of mind resonates. Sometimes just knowing you’re covered is worth the extra few bucks, especially with Ohio’s unpredictable weather and traffic. You’re definitely not alone in weighing the pros and cons here.
Had a similar debate with myself after I got my temps and started driving in the snow for the first time. My aunt slid into a curb on a side street, barely going 15 mph, and her premium shot up the next year. She kept saying, "Wasn’t even my fault, but it still cost me." That kinda stuck with me... I’d rather pay a bit more now and not get slammed later if something dumb happens. Ohio roads are wild in winter.
I hear you on that. I got dinged for a fender bender last winter—barely tapped someone at a stop sign, but my rates went nuts after. Accident forgiveness felt like a waste before, but now I’d rather pay a little extra than risk another hike. Ohio winters just aren’t worth gambling with, honestly.
I’m just about to get my first policy and honestly, I keep going back and forth on accident forgiveness. Part of me thinks it’s just another way for them to squeeze more money out of you, but hearing stories like yours makes me wonder if it’s actually smart in Ohio. My cousin slid into a mailbox last year and his rates doubled… kinda wild for something so minor. Maybe it’s worth the peace of mind, even if it feels like a “just in case” fee.
