Yeah, I totally get that. I’ve had my share of “oops” moments behind the wheel, and accident forgiveness was the only thing that kept my premium from skyrocketing after a fender bender a couple years back. It’s not magic, but for some of us, it’s a bit of a safety net. Have you noticed if the extra cost actually balances out for you over time, or does it just feel like paying for peace of mind? I always wonder if it’s more psychological than practical, but I guess it depends on your luck (or lack thereof) on the road...
I always wonder if it’s more psychological than practical, but I guess it depends on your luck (or lack thereof) on the road...
Man, I hear you on the “luck” part. My luck behind the wheel is about as reliable as my old Dodge Neon in January—sometimes it starts, sometimes it doesn’t. I paid for accident forgiveness for years thinking it was just a little extra insurance against my own clumsiness, but honestly, I’ve only used it once. Felt like paying for an unused gym membership most of the time. Has anyone actually done the math on whether it saves money long-term, or is it just one of those things you hope you never need?
I’ve wondered the same thing. My buddy swears by accident forgiveness, but he’s also the type who buys the extended warranty on toasters, so I’m not sure he’s the best case study. I did a quick back-of-the-napkin calculation once and, unless you’re getting into fender benders every couple years, it didn’t seem like a huge money saver. Maybe it’s more about peace of mind? Or maybe Ohio’s rates are just weird compared to other states...
Maybe it’s more about peace of mind? Or maybe Ohio’s rates are just weird compared to other states...
I’ve actually had accident forgiveness on my policy for a while, mostly because my driving record isn’t exactly spotless. For me, it’s less about saving money in the long run and more about not getting slammed with a massive rate hike after a single mistake. Ohio’s rates do seem a bit all over the place, but after my last minor accident, my premium would’ve jumped by almost 30% if I didn’t have forgiveness. That said, if you’re a super careful driver and rarely have claims, I get why it might not seem worth it.
One thing I noticed is that some companies only “forgive” your first accident, and then you’re back to square one if you mess up again. It’s kind of like paying for a get-out-of-jail-free card you hope you never use. Not sure if that’s really peace of mind or just insurance companies finding another way to squeeze a few extra bucks out of us. But yeah, for folks with a less-than-perfect record (like me), it can be a lifesaver.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’m not totally convinced it’s always a good deal. Like you said,
For people who drive carefully and haven’t had an accident in years, that extra cost can add up to more than any potential savings. Plus, some companies just roll the cost into your premium whether you want it or not. I’d rather put that money aside myself and take my chances, honestly.“It’s kind of like paying for a get-out-of-jail-free card you hope you never use.”
