What does crash forgiveness allow for in automobile insurance?

Crash forgiveness in automobile insurance is a feature that allows a policyholder to have a single at-fault accident forgiven, meaning it will not affect their insurance premium or result in a surcharge for the first incident. In the correct answer, the mention of "no accidents within 10 years with forgiven at-fault crashes" highlights that this feature often applies to individuals with a clean driving record prior to the at-fault accident.

This benefit incentivizes safe driving behavior by providing some leniency for policyholders who have demonstrated responsible driving over an extended period. It ensures that a single mistake does not lead to immediate financial repercussions, making it a valuable provision for those who strive to maintain a good driving history.

The other options reflect specific scenarios that do not align with how crash forgiveness is traditionally applied. For example, allowing a second at-fault accident within a year or specifying that it is only for minor accidents misrepresents the concept, as crash forgiveness generally applies only to one at-fault incident, regardless of the severity.