Honestly, I totally get where you’re coming from. That line you quoted—
—hits home for a lot of folks. I’ve seen people pay for accident forgiveness and then never use it, so it feels like a sunk cost. On the flip side, I’ve also seen someone have a pretty bad year (two accidents in 12 months) and that little add-on saved them hundreds on their renewal. It really comes down to your driving history and risk tolerance, I think. Not everyone needs it, and sometimes the math just doesn’t work out. If you’re the cautious type and haven’t had an at-fault in years, stashing that extra cash might make more sense.“the extra premium was more than what my rates would’ve gone up after a minor fender bender.”
I hear you on the “sunk cost” feeling. I’ve always leaned toward playing it safe, but honestly, if you’ve got a clean record and drive carefully, it might not be worth the extra money. I haven’t had an at-fault in over a decade, so I just keep that cash in my own rainy day fund instead. It’s a bit of a gamble either way, but being cautious has worked for me so far.
I just keep that cash in my own rainy day fund instead.
That’s a solid approach, but I’ve seen even careful drivers get blindsided—literally—on long trips. One fender bender and your premium could spike way more than the cost of forgiveness. Not saying it’s a must, but I’d rather pay a bit extra for peace of mind, especially with Ohio’s unpredictable weather.
I get the peace of mind angle, but honestly, I’m not convinced it’s worth the extra cost. If you’re a cautious driver and haven’t had any claims, that “forgiveness” fee just feels like money down the drain. I’d rather risk it and keep my premiums lower.
I get where you’re coming from, but have you looked at how much your rates could jump after a single at-fault accident? Even if you’re a careful driver, all it takes is one distracted moment or someone stopping short in front of you. I used to think I’d never need it either, but after my neighbor’s fender bender (first one in 20+ years), her premiums shot up by almost $600 a year. She was kicking herself for not having accident forgiveness.
I guess it comes down to how much risk you’re comfortable with. Statistically, even good drivers have a claim every 17-18 years. Is the extra $40-50 a year worth avoiding a big rate hike down the line? I’m not saying it’s a must for everyone, but I do wonder if the “wasted money” argument holds up when you look at the potential long-term costs.
