Had a similar debate with myself after a fender bender last year. I’m all about saving money, but after dealing with the hassle and watching my buddy’s rates jump, I caved and added accident forgiveness. For me, the peace of mind is worth the extra few bucks a month, especially with how unpredictable Cleveland roads get in February. Honestly, I used to think it was a waste too, but one icy morning changed my mind real fast.
I hear you on the Cleveland roads—February’s basically a lottery for black ice. Accident forgiveness can feel like an upsell, but after seeing how a single claim can spike rates for years, it starts to make sense. Have you checked if your policy limits how often you can use it? Some only let you “forgive” one accident every few years, which surprised a client of mine. It’s not a magic shield, but for folks with a long commute or teen drivers at home, it’s worth considering.
Is Accident Forgiveness Really Worth It In Ohio?
That’s a good point about the “one and done” nature of some accident forgiveness programs. I’ve seen folks get caught off guard by that—thinking they’re covered for any fender bender, only to find out it’s a one-time deal every 3-5 years. It’s definitely not a blanket pass.
I’m curious, has anyone actually run the numbers on how much their premium would go up after an at-fault accident versus the cost of adding forgiveness? Sometimes the extra monthly fee can add up to more than the potential rate hike, especially if you’re a cautious driver or haven’t had a claim in years. On the flip side, if you’ve got a new driver in the house or you’re clocking a lot of miles in winter, maybe the peace of mind is worth it.
I’ve also noticed some companies automatically include forgiveness after you’ve been claim-free for a while, but others charge for it right out of the gate. Has anyone had luck negotiating that as part of a renewal or switching carriers? I’ve had clients who got it tossed in as a loyalty perk, but I’m not sure how common that is.
And then there’s the fine print—some policies only forgive your first at-fault accident, but not if there’s a DUI or major violation involved. Anyone ever run into weird exclusions like that? It feels like every company has their own spin on what “forgiveness” actually means.
All that said, I get why people are tempted. One icy morning and suddenly you’re looking at a 30% premium jump for years... but if you’re paying for forgiveness and never use it, that stings too. Does anyone here actually budget for the worst-case scenario, or do you just roll the dice and hope for clear roads?
One icy morning and suddenly you’re looking at a 30% premium jump for years... but if you’re paying for forgiveness and never use it, that stings too.
Here’s how I look at it: I actually called my agent after my friend rear-ended someone in Cleveland last winter. Her rate spiked almost $400 a year for three years, so $1,200 total. When I priced out accident forgiveness, it was about $7/month—$84/year. Over five years, that’s $420. If you’re a careful driver and haven’t had an accident in ages, you might just be paying for something you’ll never use. But if you’ve got teens or drive in rough weather a lot, the math gets trickier.
I did get them to throw it in for free at renewal once after being claim-free for 6 years, but that seems hit or miss depending on the company. The fine print is wild too—some won’t cover anything with a DUI or even a hit-and-run claim. I always recommend reading every boring clause before signing up… learned that the hard way after a buddy got denied forgiveness due to “commercial use” of his car (he was delivering pizzas part-time).
Bottom line, I kind of budget for the worst but usually skip the add-on unless there’s a new driver in the house or I’m feeling extra unlucky.
Honestly, I’m right there with you on being skeptical about paying for something you might never use. The numbers you laid out make sense—if you’re a careful driver and don’t have a history of accidents, it feels like you’re just tossing money at the “what if” scenario. I’ve run the math myself a few times, especially after my cousin’s rates shot up after a fender bender in a Kroger parking lot. She didn’t have forgiveness, and her premium hike was brutal for three years straight.
But here’s where I get stuck: Ohio winters are unpredictable, and even the best drivers can end up sliding into trouble. I’ve had a couple close calls on black ice, and every time I think, “Is this the year I should’ve paid for that add-on?” It’s like buying lottery tickets—most of the time, you’re just out the cash, but that one time you need it, you’re glad you did.
The fine print is a whole other beast. I had no idea about the commercial use thing until a friend got burned by it. He was doing DoorDash on the side, thought he was covered, and then got denied after a minor accident. That’s the kind of stuff they bury in the policy docs, and who actually reads all that legalese? I try, but my eyes glaze over after a page or two.
I do think it’s a different story if you’ve got a teenager behind the wheel. My nephew just got his license, and my sister didn’t even hesitate—she added forgiveness right away. Statistically, new drivers are just more likely to have a mishap, so it makes sense there.
For me, I usually skip it unless my commute changes or I start feeling like my luck’s running out. I’d rather stash the extra cash in a rainy day fund, but I get why some folks want the peace of mind. It’s one of those things where you’re damned if you do, damned if you don’t... until you actually need it.
