I'm usually skeptical about add-ons like accident forgiveness, but in Ohio, given our winters and unpredictable road conditions, it can actually pay off. I've seen clients save hundreds after a single incident compared to those who skipped it. If you're on the fence, run your numbers based on your driving habits and local weather—might change your perspective...
I'm pretty cautious by nature, especially since this is my first time buying insurance. Honestly, I was leaning toward skipping accident forgiveness at first—felt like just another upsell. But after talking to friends who've been driving here in Ohio for years, I'm reconsidering.
One friend of mine slid into a curb last winter during one of those nasty ice storms we get. It wasn't even a big accident—just enough to mess up the alignment and suspension—but the repair bill was surprisingly steep. She didn't have accident forgiveness and her rates jumped quite a bit afterward. She said if she'd had it, she would've saved way more than the extra premium cost.
I guess it depends on how comfortable you are with risk. If you're someone who drives a lot, especially during winter months or on rural roads that don't get cleared quickly, it might be worth the peace of mind. On the other hand, if you're mostly city-driving or can avoid bad weather days altogether, maybe it's less critical.
Personally, I'm leaning toward getting it now because I know myself—I stress about unexpected expenses and would rather pay a little extra upfront than deal with a huge rate hike later. Like you said though, running your own numbers based on your driving habits makes sense... everyone's situation is different.
Yeah, winter driving here can feel like an Olympic sport sometimes...definitely not for the faint-hearted. Accident forgiveness is one of those things that's easy to dismiss till you suddenly need it—sorta like that ice scraper you forgot in the garage until you're already late and your windshield's frozen solid. Curious though, has anyone checked how much their premium actually jumped after a minor accident here in Ohio? Might help put things into perspective...
I've looked into this before, and honestly, accident forgiveness isn't always the best deal for everyone. Sure, it sounds reassuring, but insurers often factor that benefit into your premium upfront. If you're generally a cautious driver with a clean record, you might end up paying more over time than you'd save after one minor accident. It really depends on your driving history and risk tolerance...might be worth crunching some numbers before jumping in.
I get your point, but honestly, even cautious drivers can have bad luck. I'm usually super careful—haven't had an accident in years—but last winter, I hit a patch of black ice and slid into a curb. Nothing major, but it was enough to ding my record and bump up my premium quite a bit. After that experience, I started thinking accident forgiveness might've saved me some hassle (and money).
I agree insurers probably bake the cost into your premium upfront, but sometimes peace of mind is worth paying a little extra for. Especially here in Ohio, with unpredictable winters and potholes everywhere...you never know when something minor might happen that's totally out of your control.
Not saying it's always worth it—just that even careful drivers can get caught off guard. If you're someone who worries about unexpected costs or just wants to avoid the stress of dealing with premium hikes after a small mishap, accident forgiveness could still be worthwhile. Like you said though, crunching numbers is key.
