I’ve been in the “high risk” category for a while now, so I looked at accident forgiveness thinking it’d be a lifesaver. But honestly, the fine print tripped me up too—one company said they’d “forgive” my first accident, but then jacked up my comprehensive deductible after a claim. It’s like, sure, they forgive, but they find another way to get their money. Has anyone actually seen it work out in their favor long-term, or is it just a short-term band-aid?
I’ve looked into accident forgiveness a few times—honestly, it’s kind of a mixed bag. On paper, it sounds like a great safety net, but in practice, I’ve noticed insurers tend to shift costs around. Like you said, they might not raise your premium for that first at-fault accident, but then suddenly your deductible goes up or you lose some other perk. It’s almost like they’re just moving the penalty somewhere less obvious.
In Ohio specifically, rates can be all over the place depending on your record and which company you’re with. A buddy of mine had accident forgiveness and thought he was set after a fender bender... only to find his renewal rate quietly crept up anyway. It wasn’t as dramatic as a surcharge, but it still stung.
If you’re high risk already, sometimes it’s cheaper to shop around every year than pay extra for forgiveness. I’d say read the fine print carefully and maybe run some quotes with and without it—sometimes the peace of mind isn’t worth the extra cost if they’re just going to get their money another way.
I’ve noticed the same thing with the sneaky rate hikes—like, you think you’re protected, but then your “discounts” just quietly disappear. I’m still learning how all this works, but I wonder if it makes more sense for people with spotless records or folks who drive a ton. Has anyone actually had their forgiveness kick in and felt like it was a good deal? Or is it mostly just marketing?
Honestly, I’m not convinced it’s worth it for everyone.
I’ve never needed it, and the extra cost adds up over time. If you’re a careful driver, you might be better off just keeping a clean record and shopping around every couple years. The “forgiveness” part feels more like a safety net for folks who know they’re at higher risk.Has anyone actually had their forgiveness kick in and felt like it was a good deal? Or is it mostly just marketing?
I get what you mean about the “safety net.” I drive 60+ miles a day for work, and honestly, I’ve never used accident forgiveness either.
—yeah, that’s my gripe. Has anyone here actually had their rates jump after a first accident without it? Or is it just scare tactics from the insurance companies?the extra cost adds up over time
