I always wonder what has higher risks: me, hosting my own mail, maybe getting hacked, or a gmail user, risking being locked out forever due to posting something inappropiate in a youtube comment.
The experience as a paying Google customer seems to eliminate the oft-repeated complaints people have about Google. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I get technical support, with a real person, should I need it. (and I've needed it) The experience was fantastic. YMMV, of course.
I keep a backup copy of my email, off of Google infra, should any of the worst-case scenarios take place.
It's orthogonal to this discussion, but if I could do all of my coding from a Chromebook, the experience would be complete. I've had issues in the last 24 hours with both a Mac, and a Windows machine and it was Chromebook to the rescue. It just doesn't have the same level of functionality, as you already well know.
Also, I wasn't asking for chances, but for risks.
Don't ever do a chargeback! (This is actually a great way to shutdown an account you don't want...)