But then I look at the extra cost for accident forgiveness and wonder if it’s just another way for insurance to squeeze more out of us. I mean, yeah, it’s peace of mind, but sometimes I feel li...
I get what you mean about feeling like insurance is just another bill for “just in case.” I’m learning to drive, and my parents debated the same thing after a fender bender at Kroger last year. Their rates went up even though it was minor—felt kind of unfair honestly. Makes me wonder: how often do people really use accident forgiveness before it “pays off”? Or is it just peace of mind for worst-case scenarios? I’m kind of stuck on whether the extra cost is worth it too, especially if you’re driving carefully most of the time.
Honestly, I’ve seen both sides of this. Some folks never need accident forgiveness and it feels like wasted money—especially if you’re a cautious driver. But then there’s that one time you get unlucky, maybe a deer jumps out or someone rear-ends you at a light, and suddenly your rates spike for years. That’s when people are glad they had it. Have you looked at how much your premium would actually go up without it? Sometimes the math makes the decision clearer...
I’ve actually run the numbers for our family policy, and the difference after one at-fault accident was pretty steep—almost $400 more a year for three years. But I keep wondering if it’s different depending on the insurance company? Has anyone seen big variations between providers in Ohio?
But I keep wondering if it’s different depending on the insurance company? Has anyone seen big variations between providers in Ohio?
I’ve bounced around a few companies (not by choice, trust me), and yeah, the difference can be wild. After my last fender bender, one provider wanted to jack my rate by almost $600 a year, while another only bumped it up about $250. Both in Ohio, both for basically the same coverage. I guess it depends on their “risk tolerance” or whatever, but it feels like rolling dice sometimes. Anyone else feel like accident forgiveness is just a fancy way to charge more upfront?
It’s true, the swings between companies can be pretty dramatic. That “risk tolerance” you mentioned is spot on—each insurer has their own formulas and data sets, so what’s a minor blip for one can look like a red flag to another.
About accident forgiveness, I get where you’re coming from.
It does feel that way sometimes, especially if you’re paying extra for it and never use it. But in Ohio, where rate increases after even small accidents can be steep, it can actually save money if you’re unlucky enough to need it. The catch is, you’re basically betting against yourself having an accident.“...accident forgiveness is just a fancy way to charge more upfront?”
From what I’ve seen, some companies bake the cost into your premium whether you want it or not, while others make it optional. If your driving record’s clean and you don’t have a history of claims, paying extra might not be worth it. On the other hand, if your luck’s been rough or you drive a lot in high-traffic areas, it could soften the blow of a future rate hike.
It’s definitely not one-size-fits-all. Sometimes it really does just come down to how much peace of mind is worth to you... or how much risk you’re willing to take with your wallet.