Totally get where you're coming from. I’ve had a couple close calls with deer on those back roads—sometimes you just can’t do much, no matter how good your tires are. Like you said,
. Accident forgiveness feels like a bit of a safety net for stuff like that. It’s not perfect, but I’d rather deal with a small extra charge than a huge premium hike if something random happens. Ohio weather alone is unpredictable enough...“there’s just so much out of my control”
I hear you on the deer—had one jump out at me last fall, and I swear my heart rate didn’t go back to normal for an hour. Like you said,
. My only hesitation is whether the extra cost for accident forgiveness actually pays off if you’re a careful driver. Is it really worth it if you go years without a claim? Or is it just paying for peace of mind? I keep going back and forth... especially when the weather does its Ohio thing and throws ice at you in April.“there’s just so much out of my control”
“there’s just so much out of my control”
That really sums it up, especially with Ohio’s unpredictable weather. I’ve crunched the numbers a few times and honestly, if you’re a cautious driver and haven’t had a claim in years, accident forgiveness can feel like you’re just paying extra for “what if.” On the other hand, one deer or patch of black ice and your premium could jump for years. It’s hard to put a price on peace of mind, but I get why it feels like a toss-up. For me, I usually skip it and just keep a rainy day fund... but every spring storm makes me second-guess that choice.
It’s tough to argue with your logic—Ohio weather really does keep you guessing. I’ve always leaned toward the “self-insure” route too, just setting aside a bit for the unexpected. But every time I see a fresh set of deer tracks across my driveway or hit a patch of ice in March, I start to wonder if I’m just tempting fate.
The thing is, even the most careful drivers can’t control everything. I had a friend who went years without a claim, then got rear-ended at a stoplight during a freak hailstorm. His rates shot up, and he kicked himself for not having accident forgiveness. Still, I can’t help but feel like the extra cost adds up over time, especially if you’re already a low-risk driver.
Guess it comes down to how much you value that peace of mind versus what you’re willing to risk. No perfect answer, but you’re definitely not alone in second-guessing it every spring.
But every time I see a fresh set of deer tracks across my driveway or hit a patch of ice in March, I start to wonder if I’m just tempting fate.
Man, those deer are like little insurance salesmen in disguise, right? I’ve had more close calls with wildlife than actual drivers. I keep thinking, is accident forgiveness just paying for my own paranoia? But then again, last winter my neighbor slid into his own mailbox—didn’t even leave the driveway. Makes you wonder if “self-insure” is just code for “rolling the dice.”