"Accident forgiveness is definitely handy..."
True, it can be helpful, but honestly, in Ohio, it isn't always cost-effective for everyone. If you're generally a cautious driver and haven't had incidents in years, you might end up paying more in extra premiums than you'd save after one accident. Better to crunch the numbers first...
Yeah, I get what you're saying about cautious drivers maybe not needing it, but as someone who's had a few too many close calls (and tickets, lol), accident forgiveness has saved my butt more than once. Honestly, even if you're careful, accidents aren't always your fault... Ohio winters can be brutal, and black ice doesn't care how good your driving record is. Still, you're right that it's smart to
before jumping in."crunch the numbers first"
I see your point about Ohio winters and black ice being unpredictable... but isn't accident forgiveness usually something you pay extra for monthly? I wonder if putting that extra money toward better tires or winter driving classes might actually lower the risk of accidents in the first place. Have you compared the overall costs of accident forgiveness versus investing in safer driving gear or training? Just thinking out loud here, since prevention might be more valuable than forgiveness after the fact.
Good points—accident forgiveness can definitely add up over time, and prevention usually beats dealing with the aftermath. But there's another angle worth considering:
- Accident forgiveness typically protects you from premium hikes after your first at-fault accident. In Ohio, especially during winter months, even cautious drivers can get caught off guard by black ice or sudden snow squalls.
- Investing in good winter tires and driving courses absolutely reduces risk, but accidents can still happen due to factors beyond your control (like other drivers or unexpected road conditions).
- It's a balance between reducing risk and managing financial consequences. If you have a clean record and a solid emergency fund, maybe accident forgiveness isn't as critical. But if you're driving frequently in unpredictable conditions or have younger drivers on your policy, it could save you a lot in the long run.
Have you looked into how much your insurer typically raises premiums after a single accident? That might help clarify if accident forgiveness is truly worth the extra monthly cost.
You make some solid points, but I'd argue accident forgiveness isn't always the best financial decision, even in Ohio winters.
"If you have a clean record and a solid emergency fund, maybe accident forgiveness isn't as critical."
Exactly this. I've been driving here for over 15 years, through plenty of rough winters, and I've found that keeping a solid emergency fund and investing in quality winter tires has worked better financially than paying extra each month for accident forgiveness. Sure, conditions can get dicey, but insurers often price these add-ons assuming you'll eventually use them. If you're someone who rarely has accidents—or never had one at all—you're essentially subsidizing risk for others.
Also, it's worth checking your insurer's exact terms. Some policies have strict conditions or limitations on accident forgiveness coverage, meaning it might not even kick in when you really need it. Personally, I'd rather put the extra cash into preventive measures or savings... but that's just me.
