Still, I know folks who’ve never needed it and think it’s pointless, so maybe it depends on your luck...
I hear you on the unpredictability—Ohio roads are a minefield half the year. I used to think accident forgiveness was just another way for insurance companies to squeeze more out of us, but after my ‘72 Chevelle got rear-ended in a snowstorm (not my fault, but try telling that to the adjuster), my rates jumped anyway. That extra coverage would’ve saved me a headache and a chunk of change. Honestly, if you drive anything you care about, it’s not just about luck—it’s about not getting burned when someone else screws up.
Honestly, if you drive anything you care about, it’s not just about luck—it’s about not getting burned when someone else screws up.
Couldn’t agree more with this. After 30+ years of driving in Ohio, I’ve learned the hard way that “luck” is just what you call it until someone slides into your fender at a four-way stop.
Here’s how I see accident forgiveness, especially around here:
- If you’re driving an older car you don’t mind getting a few new dings on, maybe it’s not worth the extra cash. But if you’ve got something you actually care about (or just want to keep your rates from going nuts), it can be a lifesaver.
- Ohio weather is like a roulette wheel—one day it’s sunny, next day you’re skating to work. Doesn’t matter how careful you are, someone else can still mess up and take you with them.
- Insurance adjusters... well, let’s just say they’re not always on your side. Had a buddy who got rear-ended at a red light and still ended up with a rate hike. Accident forgiveness would’ve saved him a lot of cursing and a few hundred bucks.
- It’s not always cheap, but neither is paying higher premiums for three years after one dumb mistake (yours or someone else’s).
- I used to think it was a scam too, but after my wife tapped someone’s bumper in a parking lot and our rates shot up, I changed my tune real fast.
Not saying everyone needs it, but if you drive in Ohio winters or park in crowded lots, it’s worth thinking about. Sometimes peace of mind is worth a few extra bucks a month... especially when the roads turn into bumper cars every January.
Couldn’t have said it better about Ohio weather—one minute you’re fine, next minute you’re fishtailing into someone’s bumper. I’m with you on accident forgiveness being worth it if you’ve got a car you actually care about. I’ve spent too many weekends buffing out scratches on my old Chevelle to risk a rate hike over someone else’s mistake. It’s not cheap, but neither is repainting a classic after some distracted driver slides into you at a stop sign. Peace of mind’s worth a lot, especially around here.
I’ve spent too many weekends buffing out scratches on my old Chevelle to risk a rate hike over someone else’s mistake.
I get the logic, but have you checked how much your premium actually jumps after one accident? For classics, I’ve found some specialty insurers don’t even penalize as harshly, especially if it’s not your fault. Sometimes the accident forgiveness add-on costs more over a few years than a single rate hike would. Just curious if you’ve run the numbers—peace of mind’s great, but I’d rather put that cash into better wax or a new cover.
Honestly, I was thinking the same thing.
I just got my first quote and the forgiveness thing added like $80 a year. If you don’t crash every couple years, it seems like a waste. I’d rather risk it and just drive careful. Insurance already feels like a money pit...Sometimes the accident forgiveness add-on costs more over a few years than a single rate hike would.
