Good points here, though I'd add it really depends on your comfort level too. I've seen drivers who thought they'd never need it suddenly hit ice and slide right into trouble. But yeah, definitely read the fine print—some policies are sneaky restrictive...
"I've seen drivers who thought they'd never need it suddenly hit ice and slide right into trouble."
Exactly this. I used to think accident forgiveness was just another upsell, but after a close call near Cleveland last winter (black ice is no joke...), I'm reconsidering. Better safe than sorry, especially in Ohio winters.
- Totally get the ice thing, but honestly, accident forgiveness still feels like a bit of a gamble to me.
- I've driven through plenty of Ohio winters (Columbus commute daily...yay me), and I'd rather put that extra cash into better tires or even a defensive driving refresher.
- Insurance companies aren't charities—they're betting you'll never use it, and usually, they're right.
- But hey, maybe I'm just cheap...or overly confident in my winter driving skills.
I've wondered the same thing myself. Had accident forgiveness for years, never needed it...then one icy morning in Cleveland, someone slid into my parked car. Wasn't even driving, but still counted as an accident on my record. Tires wouldn't have helped there. So yeah, it's a gamble—but sometimes the odds aren't even up to you.
Honestly, I get your point about it being a gamble, but I've always felt accident forgiveness is kinda overrated. Had it myself for a while, but when I did the math, realized I was basically paying extra every month just to avoid a hypothetical rate hike. And when something finally did happen—some kid backed into my '68 Mustang at the grocery store parking lot—it turned out cheaper to just pay out of pocket anyway. Insurance would've covered it, sure, but then I'd lose my "forgiveness" and probably see higher premiums down the road.
I guess it depends on your car and your situation. If you're driving something newer or pricier, maybe it's worth the peace of mind. But for me and my old classic, I'd rather stash that extra cash away for parts or upgrades...or maybe some better tires for those icy Cleveland mornings, haha.
