Yeah, black ice is sneaky... had a similar wake-up call myself, hit a curb pretty hard last winter. Accident forgiveness saved me from a nasty premium hike—definitely worth it if you're prone to risky commutes.
Accident forgiveness can be handy, but honestly, I think it depends a lot on your driving habits and history. I've been commuting daily through Ohio winters for years, and while black ice is definitely sneaky (been there myself...), I've found that just slowing down and leaving extra space has kept me accident-free. Paying extra for forgiveness coverage feels a bit like betting against myself—I'd rather put that money into good tires or winter prep. But hey, everyone's comfort level is different.
"Paying extra for forgiveness coverage feels a bit like betting against myself—I'd rather put that money into good tires or winter prep."
I get where you're coming from, and normally I'd agree—I'm all about saving money and being practical. But honestly, after my daughter had her first accident (minor fender-bender, thankfully), accident forgiveness saved us from a pretty hefty premium hike. She's usually careful, but you know how it is with newer drivers...mistakes happen. Even seasoned drivers can slip up once in a blue moon, especially with Ohio's unpredictable winters.
I guess for me, it's less about betting against myself and more about hedging against life's random curveballs. Sure, good tires and cautious driving are essential, but sometimes stuff just happens that's out of your control. Accident forgiveness might not be necessary for everyone, but it can definitely pay off if luck isn't on your side. Just my two cents from experience.
I see your point about investing in good tires and winter prep—those are definitely key, especially here in Ohio. I used to think accident forgiveness was just another upsell too, until last winter when I slid into a curb on black ice. It wasn't even a major accident, just enough to mess up my alignment and bumper. But still, my insurance company counted it as an at-fault claim.
Long story short, my premiums jumped quite a bit afterward. Looking back, paying a little extra for forgiveness coverage would've saved me money overall. I'm usually super cautious and budget-conscious, but sometimes even careful drivers get caught off guard by Ohio's sneaky weather conditions.
Not saying it's a must-have for everyone...but if you're driving regularly in winter conditions or have newer drivers in the family, it might be worth considering. Just something to think about based on my own experience.
I used to skip accident forgiveness too, figuring my careful driving habits and expensive winter tires would keep me safe. But then last February, I hit a hidden pothole during a snowstorm—nothing major, but enough to crack the rim on my Audi. Insurance labeled it at-fault, and my premiums shot up noticeably.
"sometimes even careful drivers get caught off guard by Ohio's sneaky weather conditions."
Exactly this...lesson learned the hard way. Now I see accident forgiveness as more of a practical safeguard than an unnecessary upsell.
