I get where you’re coming from, but I’m still not convinced it’s worth the extra cash for everyone. I’ve run the numbers a few times, and unless you’ve got a history of accidents or you’re driving in really high-risk areas, that “peace of mind” can add up to hundreds over the years without ever actually saving you anything. Insurance companies aren’t offering forgiveness out of kindness—they know most folks won’t use it.
I’ve been accident-free for over 15 years (knock on wood), and honestly, I’d rather stash that extra money in a rainy day fund. If something does happen, yeah, my rates might go up, but at least I haven’t been paying more every month just in case. It’s kind of like extended warranties—sometimes they help, but a lot of the time you’re just padding someone else’s pockets.
Guess it depends on your risk tolerance, but for me, I’d rather take my chances and keep my premiums as low as possible.
I’m with you—accident forgiveness always sounded like a marketing trick to me. Here’s how I look at it: 1) Figure out your actual accident risk—if you’re a careful driver, odds are you won’t use it. 2) Check how much extra you’re really paying for that “protection.” 3) Compare that to what your rates might go up after one at-fault accident; in Ohio, it might not even be that dramatic unless you have a bunch of claims.
I’ve been driving for decades, and honestly? I’d rather pocket the difference and self-insure for the rare “just in case” moment. It’s not for everyone, but for some of us, the math just doesn’t add up.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’m a little torn. I drive a ton for work—like, highway miles every day—and even though I’m careful, stuff just happens. Had a deer jump out last year and my rates went up, accident forgiveness would’ve helped there. But yeah, the extra cost bugs me too. Sometimes it feels like paying for peace of mind more than anything else... Not sure if that’s worth it or not, honestly.
I totally get the frustration—Ohio’s got a lot of rural stretches, and deer are everywhere. I had a client hit two in the same year, and accident forgiveness saved him from a massive rate hike. But yeah, it’s not cheap, and if you’re a super cautious driver with a clean record, it can feel like you’re paying for something you might never use. It really comes down to how much risk you’re willing to carry versus the cost. Some folks just sleep better knowing they’ve got that safety net... others would rather save the cash.
Honestly, I get where you’re coming from. I drive a lot for work—like, all over central and southern Ohio—and I’ve had more close calls with deer than I can count. It’s wild out there sometimes, especially at dusk. I’ve never actually hit one (knock on wood), but I’ve seen coworkers get nailed with huge premium jumps after one unlucky accident.
I totally get the argument for skipping accident forgiveness if you’re a careful driver, but sometimes it’s just about peace of mind. I used to think I’d never need it, but after seeing how fast rates can spike, I’m kind of glad I have it. Still, if you’re super confident in your driving and want to save the cash, I don’t think that’s crazy either. It’s just one of those things where you have to weigh your own comfort level with risk. Either way, you’re not alone in thinking about it.
