Title: Is Accident Forgiveness Really Worth It In Ohio?
- I get the logic behind paying extra for accident forgiveness, especially if you’ve got a family and want to avoid those nasty premium spikes.
- Here’s the thing—my neighbor in Columbus had it with State Farm. He rear-ended someone at a stoplight (nothing major, just a fender bender). His rate didn’t budge after the claim, at least not for the first renewal. But two years later, his premium crept up anyway. Not 30% overnight, but still more than before the accident. So, “forgiveness” isn’t always forever.
- From what I’ve seen, most companies in Ohio only let you use it once every 3-5 years. If you have another accident in that window, you’re out of luck and back to square one with rate hikes.
- Also, some insurers only forgive your first at-fault accident if you’ve been claim-free for a while. If you’ve already had a couple dings or tickets, they might not even offer it.
- For folks who drive classic cars like me (mostly weekends and sunny days), I don’t bother with it. My risk is low and premiums are already pretty reasonable through specialty insurers.
- If you’re hauling kids around every day or commuting in heavy traffic, maybe it’s worth the peace of mind. But read the fine print—some policies sneak in “accident surcharges” later on, even if they say your first one’s forgiven.
- One more thing: if you switch companies after an accident—even a forgiven one—your new insurer might see that claim on your record and price accordingly. The forgiveness doesn’t always travel with you.
Bottom line: It’s not a bad idea if you’re worried about big jumps, but don’t expect it to be a magic shield forever. Just my two cents from watching friends and neighbors deal with it over the years...
The forgiveness doesn’t always travel with you.
That’s the kicker, right there. I’ve had my share of “oops” moments (let’s just say my mailbox and I aren’t on speaking terms), and accident forgiveness has saved my bacon once or twice. But every time I shopped around, that old claim popped up anyway. Is it just me, or does it feel like you’re paying for a get-out-of-jail card that only works at your current insurer’s casino? I still pay for it, but mostly out of paranoia, not logic.
But every time I shopped around, that old claim popped up anyway. Is it just me, or does it feel like you’re paying for a get-out-of-jail card that only works at your current insurer’s casino?
Honestly, I get what you mean about it feeling like a “get-out-of-jail card that only works at your current insurer’s casino.” But I’ve gotta say, it’s bailed me out once after a fender bender in a grocery store lot (those carts come outta nowhere). My rates didn’t budge, and I was grateful in the moment.
But yeah, the second you try to switch companies, it’s like your “forgiven” accident is suddenly public knowledge again. Kinda defeats the purpose, right? Still, I figure if you’re not planning to jump ship every year, it’s not the worst safety net. I’d rather pay a little extra and have peace of mind than risk a rate hike over a silly mistake. Maybe it’s not logical, but neither is the way I parallel park...
It’s funny you mention the “casino” angle, because that’s exactly how it’s always felt to me—like you’re playing by their house rules, and the second you leave, the chips don’t count. I’ve had accident forgiveness tacked onto my policy for years, mostly because I drive a couple of older classics that I’m a little paranoid about. Haven’t needed it yet, but I like knowing it’s there.
Still, it bugs me that the “forgiveness” doesn’t really follow you. Once you switch insurers, that old claim is suddenly fair game again. Seems a bit misleading, honestly. I get that it’s a business, but you’d think there’d be some sort of industry standard for how these things are reported or carried over.
On the other hand, if you’re loyal to one company and don’t plan on moving around, it’s probably worth the extra cost just for the peace of mind. I guess it comes down to whether you value flexibility or that safety net more. For me, I’m still on the fence... but maybe that’s just because I’ve seen what a runaway shopping cart can do to a fender.
I get what you’re saying about accident forgiveness not traveling with you, but I’d actually push back a bit on the idea that it’s “misleading.” Each insurer sets their own risk profile, and they’re not obligated to honor another company’s forgiveness policy. That said, Ohio’s insurance market is pretty competitive—sometimes, even with a minor at-fault on your record, switching carriers can still save you money. I’ve seen folks fret over losing forgiveness, only to find out their new rate isn’t as bad as they feared. It’s worth running the numbers before deciding.
