This is true, a grounding on an I/O or outboard will ruin your day. A grounding in an I/B might send you to the bottom.
With that said, 5 boats at my marina came out this season for maintenance... All 5 were I/Os, and all 5 were out due to issues with the outdrive. Whether bellows, damage, etc...
BTW my boat only drafts about 29" of water, due to the prop pockets. I HAATE the prop pockets. I would prefer they were long gone. The shallower draft means nothing to me, and the pockets do more harm than good.