Yeah, dash cams and good tires are smart moves, but accident forgiveness can still be handy—especially with Ohio's unpredictable weather. I've seen careful drivers slide on black ice... sometimes peace of mind is worth a few extra bucks.
Totally agree, accident forgiveness can be a lifesaver here. I've seen clients with spotless records hit unexpected ice patches and end up with hefty premium hikes. Dash cams and tires help, sure, but forgiveness coverage is that extra cushion you never think you'll need... until you do.
"Dash cams and tires help, sure, but forgiveness coverage is that extra cushion you never think you'll need... until you do."
Good points here. A few things I'd add from experience:
- Accident forgiveness typically pays off if you're risk-averse or have younger drivers in the family. Ohio winters can be unpredictable, and even careful drivers slip up.
- Check your insurer's specifics though—some policies only forgive one accident every few years, and others might reset your "clean record" status if you switch companies.
- Personally, I ran the numbers last renewal and found it worthwhile for peace of mind alone...but YMMV depending on your driving habits and budget.
Good breakdown. I've been back and forth on accident forgiveness myself, honestly. Did the math a few times, and it always came down to how much risk you're comfortable with.
"Ohio winters can be unpredictable, and even careful drivers slip up."
Yeah, no kidding... last January my street turned into a skating rink overnight. One minor fender-bender later (first ever!), and suddenly I was thanking myself for adding forgiveness coverage the year before. But I will say this—check carefully how your insurer handles it long-term. Some carriers are great about it, others sneakily jack up your base rate after the "forgiven" accident anyway, so you're not exactly in the clear.
Bottom line for me: if you're budget-conscious like I am, it's worth doing your homework. Accident forgiveness can absolutely save your bacon, but only if the numbers make sense and your insurer isn't quietly hiking your premiums behind your back.
I've been wondering about this too... does anyone know if accident forgiveness sticks with you if you switch insurers later? Had a minor slide last winter, and now I'm questioning if my current coverage is really worth it long-term.
