is accident forgiveness really worth it in Ohio?

Ever notice how accident forgiveness seems like a “just in case” fee?

I’d rather put that extra cash toward maintenance or, honestly, just stash it for emergencies.

Honestly, I’ve seen it go both ways here in Ohio. Sometimes after a fender bender, folks are surprised their rates barely budge, especially if they’ve been with the company for years. Other times, even a minor scrape can mean a pretty noticeable hike—depends a lot on your driving record and the insurer’s policies. Accident forgiveness can be handy if you’re super worried about a rate spike, but yeah, it does feel like paying for peace of mind you might never need. Personally, I’d rather keep my record clean and pocket the extra cash... but I get why some people want that safety net.

Yeah, I hear you. I’ve crunched the numbers a few times and accident forgiveness always feels like paying extra for a “just in case” you hope never comes. I’d rather stash that cash for new tires or, honestly, a few good pizzas. Unless you’ve got a history of close calls or a wild teenager behind the wheel, I’d skip it. But hey, peace of mind is priceless for some folks… insurance companies know that too.

Honestly, I get why people skip it. In Ohio, rates can jump a lot after an at-fault accident, but if you’re a careful driver with a clean record, you might just be throwing money away on forgiveness. Here’s how I look at it: check your driving history, see what your premium would go up to after a claim, and compare that to the cost of the add-on. If you’ve got a teenager or you’re accident-prone, maybe it’s worth it... otherwise, pizza does sound like a better investment.

Is Accident Forgiveness Really Worth It In Ohio?

otherwise, pizza does sound like a better investment.

I laughed at this because I’ve had that exact thought—except in my case, it was sushi. But I get where you’re coming from about “throwing money away.” For years, I never bothered with accident forgiveness. I figured, hey, I drive a pretty high-end car, keep it garaged, and I’m careful. Why pay extra for something I’ll (hopefully) never use?

But then last winter, my neighbor’s kid slid into my parked car during an ice storm. Not technically my fault, but it got me thinking: if the tables were turned and I’d been the one to make a mistake—especially with the repair costs on these cars—my rates would probably skyrocket. The quote I got for a minor fender bender was enough to make me reconsider skipping the add-on. It’s wild how much more expensive repairs are for luxury models, even for small stuff.

I do agree with you that if you’ve got a clean record and aren’t driving much, it can feel like a waste. But sometimes I wonder if it’s more about peace of mind than pure math. Like, is it worth paying a little extra just to not stress every time there’s black ice or someone’s texting behind you at a stoplight? Or am I just being paranoid because of the price tag on my car?

Curious if anyone here has actually used accident forgiveness after a claim in Ohio. Did your rates still go up, or did it really save you?