Maybe I’m just paranoid, but I’d rather stash that cash for repairs or upgrades.
Honestly, for a car that "barely leaves the garage," accident forgiveness probably isn’t doing much for you. It’s really designed for folks who drive a lot and worry about their rates spiking after a fender bender. In Ohio, premiums can jump after an at-fault accident, but if you’re just cruising on Sundays, you might be better off pocketing that extra cash. These add-ons are mostly about peace of mind, not practicality—especially if your risk is low.
These add-ons are mostly about peace of mind, not practicality—especially if your risk is low.
Gotta disagree a bit. If you’re on the road daily like me, accident forgiveness is a lifesaver. One slip-up and your rates skyrocket. But yeah, if your car’s collecting dust, it’s just wasted money.
For me, it comes down to how much you drive and who’s behind the wheel. In our house, with two teens learning, accident forgiveness isn’t just peace of mind—it’s almost necessary. One minor fender bender and our rates would be toast. If you barely drive or your record’s spotless, maybe it’s overkill. But with family chaos and Ohio winters? I’d rather pay a little extra than get hit with a huge premium hike.
I get where you’re coming from, especially with teens in the mix. But I keep wondering—how much does accident forgiveness actually add to the premium? Like, is it a big jump or just a few bucks a month? And does it really cover all types of accidents, or are there weird exceptions buried in the fine print? I’ve heard some companies only let you use it once, then you’re out of luck. Anyone ever run into that?
I’ve seen accident forgiveness add anywhere from $5 to $20 a month, depending on the company and your driving record. Not always cheap, especially if you’ve got young drivers on the policy. And yeah, there’s usually a “one and done” rule—use it once, then it’s gone until you go years without another claim. Plus, it doesn’t cover every scenario; stuff like DUIs or hit-and-runs are almost always excluded. I tell people to read the fine print because it’s rarely as generous as the ads make it sound. Sometimes you’re better off just banking that extra premium in case you need it later.
