is accident forgiveness really worth it in Ohio?

Honestly, I get the peace of mind argument, but for me, those add-ons really add up over time. I’d rather stash that cash in a rainy day fund. We’ve managed fine without it, even after a fender bender last year. Guess it’s a gamble either way.

Honestly, I get the peace of mind argument, but for me, those add-ons really add up over time. I’d rather stash that cash in a rainy day fund. We’ve managed fine without it, even after a fender bender last year. Guess it’s a gamble either way.

I totally get where you’re coming from - insurance companies love to nickel and dime us with those extras. I’ve been tempted to skip accident forgiveness myself a few times, especially when my premium renewal comes and I see that total. But for me, it’s less about peace of mind and more about the “what ifs.” Ohio’s rates can jump pretty quick after a claim, even for not-so-huge accidents. My neighbor rear-ended someone last winter (icy roads, classic Ohio), and his rates shot up by like $500 a year. He’d never had an accident before, either. That’s what pushed me to keep the forgiveness add-on.

I will say, though, if you’ve got a clean record and you’re a careful driver, stashing the extra cash isn’t a bad move. I guess it comes down to how risk-averse you are. The thing with insurance is you’re basically betting against yourself - either you pay now or maybe pay more later. Sometimes I feel like I’m just giving money away… but then I remember my luck with deer on backroads and think, “Yeah, better safe than sorry.”

It’s definitely not one-size-fits-all. If your rates didn’t spike after your fender bender, maybe your company’s more forgiving than most - or maybe you just got lucky with the adjuster? Either way, I envy your confidence in that rainy day fund approach. I wish I had that kind of discipline... mine usually gets raided for pizza or random Amazon gadgets.

- Been there with the deer - last fall I hit one on my way to work, and my rates went up, even though it wasn’t technically my fault.
- I tried the “just save the money” approach for a couple years, but honestly, with how much I drive, it started to feel like rolling the dice too much.
- My only gripe: accident forgiveness sounds good, but read the fine print. My old policy only covered ONE at-fault every few years, so after that, you’re back to square one.
- Still, I get why someone would skip it. Some months, that extra $10-15 feels like too much, especially when gas prices jump.

- That $10-15 a month adds up, but so does a rate hike after even a minor fender bender. I’ve seen folks get hit with a 30% increase after a single at-fault, and that stings way more over time.
- The “one forgiveness every few years” thing is pretty standard, but yeah, it’s easy to miss in the fine print.
- Curious - has anyone actually had their rates *not* go up after using accident forgiveness? Or does it just soften the blow for a bit?

Title: Is Accident Forgiveness Really Worth It In Ohio?

Curious - has anyone actually had their rates *not* go up after using accident forgiveness? Or does it just soften the blow for a bit?

Honestly, I’ve seen both sides of this. Had a client a couple years back who rear-ended someone in a parking lot - nothing major, but definitely at-fault. She had accident forgiveness, and her rate didn’t budge at renewal. But here’s the kicker: the next year, even with a clean record, her premium crept up anyway. Not by 30%, but enough to notice. It’s like the forgiveness bought her a year’s grace, not a permanent pass.

That $10-15 a month can feel steep if you’re a careful driver and never use it. On the other hand, if you’ve got a teenager on your policy or a long commute, it’s almost like paying for peace of mind. I’d say it’s less about “will my rate go up” and more about “how much risk am I willing to self-insure?” Sometimes, just raising your deductible does more for your wallet than adding forgiveness. But yeah, those fine print limits sneak up on people...