is accident forgiveness really worth it in Ohio?

Title: Is Accident Forgiveness Really Worth It In Ohio?

Sometimes I feel like it’s just another way for insurance companies to squeeze a few extra bucks out of us, but maybe I’m just cynical from too many hours on I-71...

Honestly, you’re not wrong to be skeptical. I’ve seen people pay for accident forgiveness and never need it, but I’ve also seen it save folks from a nasty rate hike after a minor scrape. The catch is, like you said, the fine print—some companies are super strict about what they’ll actually “forgive.” If you’re the type who drives a lot or has bad luck with parking lots, it can be a lifesaver. But if you’re a careful driver and don’t have a history of claims, it might just be extra padding for the insurer. It really depends on your risk tolerance and driving habits.

I get where you’re coming from, but I’m not totally convinced it’s just “extra padding for the insurer.” I mean, yeah, if you’re a careful driver and never get into accidents, it might feel pointless. But as someone who’s still learning and honestly a little nervous behind the wheel, I see the appeal. One mistake and your rates could skyrocket for years.

Here’s how I look at it:
1. Figure out how much extra you’d pay for accident forgiveness per year.
2. Ask your insurer how much your premium would go up after a first at-fault accident without it.
3. Do the math—if you think you’re likely to have a fender bender (especially in busy Ohio cities), it might actually save you money.

I do agree with this though:

“some companies are super strict about what they’ll actually ‘forgive.’”

I totally get the peace of mind angle, especially if you’re new to driving or just not super confident yet. I’m pretty budget-focused, so I always break it down like this:

1. Get a quote for accident forgiveness and see how much it adds per year.
2. Ask your insurer for a real number—how much would your rate jump after an at-fault accident without it? Sometimes they’ll give you a ballpark.
3. Multiply that rate hike by however many years it would stick around (usually 3-5 years).

If the extra cost for forgiveness is less than what you’d pay in increased premiums after an accident, it might be worth it. But here’s where I agree with you:

“some companies are super strict about what they’ll actually ‘forgive.’”

For me, I skipped it and just set aside a little “just in case” fund, but if you’re driving in busy city traffic a lot, I can see why you’d want the extra cushion. Just double-check those policy details before paying extra.

Title: Is Accident Forgiveness Really Worth It In Ohio?

Yeah, I’m with you on the “read the fine print” thing. I’ve seen people get tripped up by that too. Like, one of my coworkers thought she was covered for any accident, but it turned out her policy only forgave her first at-fault one, and then she got dinged hard after a fender bender a year later. She was not happy.

I like your breakdown of the math—makes it way less mysterious. I did something similar when I was shopping around last year. For me, the extra cost for forgiveness was about $80 a year, but when I asked my agent what would happen if I had an at-fault accident, she said my rate could go up by $400+ per year for three years. On paper, that makes forgiveness look like a good deal... but then you dig into the details and realize it’s not always so simple.

“some companies are super strict about what they’ll actually ‘forgive.’”

That’s the part that bugs me. It’s like, you’re paying for peace of mind, but there are all these little loopholes. Some won’t forgive if you’re over a certain speed limit, or if there’s property damage above a certain amount. And if you switch insurers after an accident, your new company might not care that your old one “forgave” it—they’ll still see it on your record.

I ended up skipping it too and just beefed up my emergency fund instead. But honestly, if I was commuting into downtown Cleveland every day or had a teenager on my policy, I might feel differently. The risk is just higher in those situations.

One thing I noticed—Ohio rates in general seem lower than some other states (at least compared to my cousin in Michigan), so maybe that makes the math lean more toward skipping forgiveness? Not sure if anyone else has noticed that.

Anyway, totally agree: double-check those exclusions and don’t just assume you’re covered for everything. Insurance companies are sneaky sometimes...

“It’s like, you’re paying for peace of mind, but there are all these little loopholes.”

That’s exactly what gets me too. I’ve had my share of tickets and a couple minor accidents (not proud, but hey, life happens), so I looked into accident forgiveness thinking it’d be a lifesaver. But the more I dug, the more it felt like a gamble. My agent was super vague about what actually counted as “forgivable,” and I kept thinking—what if I pay for years and then get denied over some technicality?

I hear you on Ohio rates being lower. My cousin in PA pays way more than I do, even with a clean record. Makes me wonder if the extra cost for forgiveness here is just not worth it unless you’re really high risk or have a new driver in the house.

Honestly, your approach makes sense. I started putting a bit extra aside each month too, just in case. At least then I know where my money’s going, instead of hoping some fine print doesn’t bite me later. Insurance companies really do have a knack for making things complicated...