I get where you’re coming from, but I actually went for accident forgiveness on my first policy. My thinking was, with my luck, the first time I try to parallel park in the snow, I’ll end up using someone’s bumper as a stopping point.
Maybe, but I figured if my rates jump after one dumb mistake, I’ll be paying more anyway. Guess it’s a gamble either way...the extra cost just feels like overkill for an older ride
I get the logic, especially if you’re worried about that “first oops” moment. For me, I did the math and the extra $60 a year just didn’t make sense on my 12-year-old Civic. I figured if I do mess up, the rate hike might sting, but I’d still come out ahead over a few years. But yeah, if you’ve got that parallel parking anxiety (been there), I can see why you’d want the safety net. It’s one of those things where you’re either paying for peace of mind or rolling the dice.
I get the logic, especially if you’re worried about that “first oops” moment. For me, I did the math and the extra $60 a year just didn’t make sense on my 12-year-old Civic.
I get what you mean about it being a “paying for peace of mind or rolling the dice” thing. I’ve got a 2010 Corolla and honestly, I’m still debating if it’s worth it for me. My insurance quoted me about $50 extra per year for accident forgiveness, but I keep thinking — isn’t the whole point of insurance to cover you if you mess up? Like, why am I paying extra just so my rates don’t go up *if* I have an accident? But then again, I’m a pretty new driver and the idea of parallel parking in a tight spot gives me anxiety every time.
I did ask my dad and he said he never bothered with it, but he’s also been driving forever and has only had one accident. I guess if you’re super careful or your car isn’t worth much, saving the money makes sense. But if you’re like me and kinda paranoid about that “first oops,” maybe it’s not the worst idea. Still feels like a bit of a gamble either way.
I totally get the anxiety around that “first oops.” I’ve seen folks go years without a scratch, then suddenly back into a mailbox and—bam—rates jump. The thing is,
That’s what most people think, but insurance companies are sneaky about how they price risk. Accident forgiveness is basically their way of saying, “We’ll give you a mulligan... for a fee.”“isn’t the whole point of insurance to cover you if you mess up?”
I had a client with a spotless record who skipped accident forgiveness, then got rear-ended (not her fault) and still saw her premium creep up because the claim was complicated. She was kicking herself for not paying the extra $40 a year. But then I’ve got another guy who’s driven 30 years, never paid for it, and never needed it.
If you’re losing sleep over parallel parking or just want to avoid that “ugh, now my rates are gonna skyrocket” feeling, it might be worth it. But on an older car? Sometimes it’s just not worth the extra cash. It really comes down to your nerves and luck, honestly.
Honestly, I’ve seen accident forgiveness work both ways. Some folks pay for it for years and never use it, others skip it and regret it after one fender bender. Here’s how I look at it:
- If you’re driving a newer car or have a long commute, the peace of mind might be worth the extra $30–$50 a year.
- For older cars or if you barely drive, that money might be better in your pocket.
- Ohio rates can be weird—sometimes even a not-at-fault claim bumps your premium, depending on the company.
Curious—has anyone actually had their rates *not* go up after a minor accident, with or without forgiveness? Or is that just marketing fluff?
