Yeah, that's a good point about Ohio winters being unpredictable. I'm about to get my first insurance policy and was debating accident forgiveness too. It feels like one of those things you might regret skipping once something actually happens. Did you notice if it made a huge difference in your premium when you added it? Still trying to figure out if it's worth the extra cost for someone just starting out...
- Added it last year, premium went up maybe $10-$15 a month.
- Worth the peace of mind imo, especially with Ohio's black ice surprises...
- If you're just starting out, might be smart to have it until you build some driving history.
Agree it's a good idea, especially if you're newer to driving or have a bit of a spotty record already. But have you checked exactly how your insurance defines "accident forgiveness"? Some policies only forgive minor incidents or have limits on how often you can use it. I've had it for years and luckily haven't needed it yet... but knowing Ohio winters, I figure it's just a matter of time before I slide into something. Better safe than sorry, right?
"Some policies only forgive minor incidents or have limits on how often you can use it."
That's a good point to highlight, especially since not all accident forgiveness clauses are created equal. It's definitely worth taking the time to carefully read through your policy's fine print. In my experience, insurers usually have specific criteria—like only forgiving one accident every certain number of years, or excluding incidents above a certain damage threshold. For example, if you slide into a mailbox during an icy Ohio winter, that might be easily forgiven... but sliding into another car at higher speed probably won't be covered as generously.
Also, something else to consider: does your insurer reset your premium entirely after forgiving an accident, or do they still factor it indirectly into future rate calculations? Sometimes "forgiveness" isn't as clean-cut as it sounds.
Just curious—has anyone here actually had to use their accident forgiveness yet? How did it play out in terms of premiums afterward?
"Sometimes 'forgiveness' isn't as clean-cut as it sounds."
Yeah, totally agree with this. I had a minor fender-bender a few winters back—icy roads, nothing major—and my insurer forgave it, but my premium still crept up slightly the next renewal. Definitely pays to read the fine print carefully...
