I get where you’re coming from, but I actually had a different experience. My wife rear-ended someone in a parking lot—super minor—and our accident forgiveness kicked in.
For us, the premium barely budged compared to what our neighbor paid after his fender bender (no forgiveness). Maybe it’s not for everyone, but in our case, it saved us a headache. Guess it really depends on your luck and driving record.the add-on cost can outweigh the benefit if you’re not high-risk
Accident Forgiveness: Worth It or Nah?
Honestly, I’ve gone back and forth on this. I’m all about saving a buck where I can, but accident forgiveness is one of those things that feels like paying for an umbrella you might never use. My wife and I drive a lot—commuting, errands, the usual—and knock on wood, we haven’t had any accidents in years. Every time our policy comes up for renewal, I look at that little add-on and wonder if it’s just insurance for my insurance.
But then again, stuff happens. My brother-in-law got rear-ended last winter (not his fault), but the other driver didn’t have insurance. His rates still went up after the claim. He didn’t have forgiveness, and he was pretty salty about it. Meanwhile, my neighbor pays for every extra under the sun—accident forgiveness, roadside assistance, rental coverage—and swears it’s worth it for peace of mind.
I guess if you’re a super careful driver with a clean record and don’t mind taking a bit of a gamble, maybe skip it? But if you’ve got teenage drivers or just want to avoid that “surprise” rate hike after a fender bender in the Kroger lot... could be worth the few extra bucks.
For me? Still undecided. Feels like one of those things you only appreciate after you need it—like jumper cables or toilet paper during a snowstorm.
Honestly, I’ve seen both sides of this play out. Had a guy last year—super careful driver, clean record—finally had his first at-fault accident in decades. No accident forgiveness, and his rates jumped way more than the cost of the add-on would’ve been over the years. But then again, plenty of folks pay for it and never use it. In Ohio, rate hikes after an accident can be pretty steep, especially if you’ve got a newer car or young drivers on your policy. I’d say if you’re risk-averse or have a teen behind the wheel, it’s not the worst safety net... but if you’re betting on your own luck and driving habits, maybe skip it. It’s one of those “you’ll know if you needed it after the fact” deals.
Title: Accident Forgiveness Feels Like Paying for Peace of Mind
It’s one of those “you’ll know if you needed it after the fact” deals.
That’s exactly what bugs me about it. I get the logic, but paying extra every year for something you might never use just doesn’t sit right with me. I’ve run the numbers a few times—if you’re a careful driver and don’t have any young drivers on your policy, the odds of actually needing accident forgiveness seem pretty low. Over ten years, that add-on can add up to a decent chunk of change.
I know rate hikes in Ohio can be rough, but I’d rather put that money aside myself. If I ever do get into an accident, at least I’ve got a little cushion saved up instead of paying the insurer for years “just in case.” Maybe it’s just my budget mindset, but I’d rather take my chances and keep my premiums as low as possible.
Of course, if you’ve got a teen or someone with a spotty record on your policy, that’s a different story... but for folks with clean records, I’m not convinced it’s worth it.
I’d rather put that money aside myself. If I ever do get into an accident, at least I’ve got a little cushion saved up instead of paying the insurer for years “just in case.”
Yeah, I’m with you on that. It’s like paying for a lottery ticket you hope never gets used. I drive about 60 miles a day for work and haven’t had an at-fault accident in over a decade. Every time my agent brings up accident forgiveness, I just can’t justify the extra cost. The math doesn’t really add up unless you’re expecting to need it.
That said, Ohio insurance rates can spike after even a minor fender bender, so I get why some folks want the peace of mind. But for careful drivers with clean records, it feels like overkill. I’d rather keep my premiums down and just be extra cautious on the road.
Maybe if my commute was shorter or if I had a new driver in the house, I’d think differently... but right now, it just seems like another way for insurers to squeeze a few more bucks out of us.