I get where you’re coming from, but I’m not totally convinced it’s all just about squeezing more money out of people with older cars. I’m new to this whole insurance thing, but when I was shopping around, some companies actually gave me lower rates because my car isn’t worth much anymore. Like, one agent told me the risk for them is lower since nobody’s gonna spend a fortune fixing up a 2008 hatchback after a fender bender.
That said, I did notice random fees and “adjustments” popping up in the quotes, which feels kinda sketchy. Still, I wonder if accident forgiveness is more about peace of mind than saving cash? My cousin had it and said it saved her after she backed into a mailbox—her rate didn’t jump at all. Maybe it depends on the company or even the agent you get... Hard to know if it’s really a ripoff or just another way to cover their bases.
I get what you’re saying about the peace of mind aspect. That’s probably the main draw for a lot of folks. Still, I keep wondering if accident forgiveness is really worth it for everyone, especially here in Ohio where rates aren’t as wild as some other states. Like, if you’re driving an older car—say, something from the 90s or early 2000s—does it even make sense to pay extra for that feature?
“some companies actually gave me lower rates because my car isn’t worth much anymore”
That’s been my experience too. My old ‘95 Caprice barely gets noticed by insurers, and honestly, if I ding it up, I’m not rushing to file a claim anyway. I’d rather just fix it myself than risk my premiums going up over something minor.
But then again, maybe it’s different if you’ve got a newer ride or you’re worried about your record. I do think those “random fees and adjustments” are where they get you though... sometimes feels like they’re just adding stuff because they can. Anyone else ever try to actually use accident forgiveness and find out it wasn’t as helpful as advertised?
Honestly, I’m right there with you on the older car thing.
That’s exactly how I feel about my ‘01 Civic. I’d rather pocket the savings than pay for accident forgiveness I’ll probably never use. Maybe if I had a newer car or a history of fender benders, I’d think differently, but for now, it just feels like another line item they hope you won’t question.“My old ‘95 Caprice barely gets noticed by insurers, and honestly, if I ding it up, I’m not rushing to file a claim anyway.”
- Totally get it—my ‘03 Corolla’s got more scratches than a cat rescue, and I’m not sweating every little ding.
- I mean, accident forgiveness sounds nice, but if your car’s worth less than the deductible, what’s the point?
- Only time I considered it was when my cousin rear-ended someone in a snowstorm and his rates shot up. But he’s got a newer truck, so maybe that makes more sense.
- Curious—has anyone actually used accident forgiveness and felt like it paid off? Or is it just peace of mind for folks with shiny rides?
- My insurance tried to upsell me on accident forgiveness, but honestly, my car’s barely worth a grand. If I ever got in a fender bender, the rate hike might hurt more than the actual damage. Maybe it’s more for folks with pricier cars or bad luck?
- One thing though—if you drive a ton (like me), sometimes the peace of mind isn’t totally worthless... but yeah, I’ve never actually used it.
