Yeah, those repair bills for newer cars can be a real gut punch. I totally get what you mean about accident forgiveness being a mixed bag—sometimes it feels like you’re paying for peace of mind more than anything else. Had a buddy who got rear-ended at a stoplight (not his fault), and his rates still crept up the next renewal. Just wild how unpredictable it can be, even when you do everything right. For my old Subaru, I skipped it, but if I ever upgrade, I’ll probably rethink that decision...
I’ve always wondered about that—like, if you’re not at fault, why should your rates go up at all? It feels like the whole accident forgiveness thing is more about the insurance company hedging their bets than actually helping drivers. I’ve had my share of fender benders (nothing major, knock on wood), and every time I call my agent, I get a different answer about what’ll happen to my premium. Makes me wonder if it’s even possible to predict how much accident forgiveness would actually save you in the long run.
For folks in Ohio, does anyone know if certain companies are better about not raising rates after a not-at-fault accident? Or is it just luck of the draw? I keep thinking about whether it’s smarter to just stash away some cash for emergencies instead of paying extra for these add-ons... but then again, with newer cars and all the tech packed in, one little mishap can cost a fortune. Is there any real way to know if you’re getting your money’s worth with these policies, or is it just rolling the dice?
Honestly, it’s a bit of a gamble. I’ve seen people in Ohio get their rates bumped after not-at-fault accidents, but it really depends on the company. Some won’t touch your premium, others sneak in a hike at renewal. Accident forgiveness can save your bacon if you’re unlucky, but you’re right—sometimes you’re just paying for peace of mind. I always tell folks, if you’re driving a newer car with pricey tech, that “just in case” add-on starts to look a lot less silly... but if you’re good at stashing cash, self-insuring for small stuff isn’t the worst plan either. It’s never as clear-cut as the commercials make it sound.
I’ve watched folks in Ohio get blindsided at renewal even after a not-at-fault claim—one guy had a deer run-in, and his rate still crept up. Accident forgiveness helped him dodge the worst of it, but he was still grumbling about “hidden” fees. I guess it comes down to how much you trust your insurer to play fair when things go sideways. Does anyone actually read all those policy updates they send out, or is it just me being paranoid?
Honestly, I try to skim those updates, but my eyes glaze over after the first paragraph. I get why folks grumble—insurance feels like a game of “gotcha” sometimes. I do think accident forgiveness softens the blow, but it’s not magic. Deer are the real menace out here, anyway...