- Totally get where you’re coming from. I’ve run the numbers too, and accident forgiveness always seems like a “nice to have” but never quite worth the extra chunk of change for me either.
- I’m careful (maybe to a fault), so I’d rather just keep my deductible up and stash the savings. Plus, with rates already creeping up every year, adding more for something you might never use just bugs me.
- You nailed it about the sneaky packaging—my agent tried to sell me on a “premium bundle” that was basically just accident forgiveness dressed up fancy.
- For folks with new drivers, I get the appeal. But for most of us who treat our cars like glass, I think you’re making the smart call.
I’m in that “new driver” category and honestly, the accident forgiveness pitch almost got me. My parents kept saying it’s peace of mind, but I started wondering—if you’re a careful driver and haven’t had any claims, are you just paying extra for nothing? I get that one mistake could be expensive, but if the odds are low, is it really smart money?
I get where you’re coming from—paying extra for something you might never use feels a bit off, especially when you’re just starting out. But here’s the thing: insurance companies know most careful drivers won’t crash, so they’re betting you won’t need it. That said, the “peace of mind” argument isn’t totally baseless.
You mentioned,
Honestly, that’s how I felt at first. But then I looked at how much rates can spike after even a minor at-fault accident. In Ohio, some insurers hike your premium by 30% or more for years. That’s way more than the accident forgiveness add-on costs, at least in my quotes.“if you’re a careful driver and haven’t had any claims, are you just paying extra for nothing?”
I guess it comes down to risk tolerance. If you’re super confident in your driving and don’t mind taking the gamble, maybe skip it. But if you’re like me—still getting used to city traffic and parallel parking—paying a little extra for a “get out of jail free” card isn’t the worst idea. It’s not a must-have, but it’s not a total scam either.
I totally get what you’re saying about the peace of mind factor. I used to think accident forgiveness was just another way for insurance companies to squeeze a bit more out of us, but after seeing my cousin’s rate jump after a fender bender, I started to reconsider. Have you noticed how unpredictable Ohio drivers can be, especially in winter? Even if you’re careful, sometimes it’s just bad luck. I guess for me, it’s less about my own driving and more about all the variables out there...
Even if you’re careful, sometimes it’s just bad luck. I guess for me, it’s less about my own driving and more about all the variables out there...
- Been commuting through Cleveland winters for years and yeah, sometimes it feels like you’re just rolling the dice, no matter how careful you are.
- Ran the numbers a while back after a neighbor’s minor rear-end accident — his premium went up almost 30%. That was without accident forgiveness.
- From what I’ve seen, accident forgiveness usually adds maybe $5-$10/month to your premium. Not nothing, but if you drive a lot (like me), that seems pretty reasonable for the risk.
- One thing to check: some companies only “forgive” your first at-fault accident after a certain number of years with them. Not all policies are created equal.
- Personally, I’d say if you’re on the road every day in Ohio weather, it’s not just about your skill — it’s about everyone else sliding around too.
I used to think it was an extra charge for nothing, but after seeing how unpredictable things get out there, I’ve started looking at it as cheap insurance against a really expensive mistake.
