Getting a new car seat after an accident?

Question

I'm 25 weeks pregnant and just found out that after you get in a car accident apparently you have to buy a new car seat regardless of whether or not your car seat was damaged.

But what defines an accident? Fender bender, roll over, t bone?

I mean if someone taps my bumper do we have to buy a new car seat?

Answer 1

I have been rear ended twice in the last year.

For the first accident, the insurance company replaced my car seat. My car had very little visible damage, but the frame was bent by the force of the other car.

My second accident was a little fender bender that did not jostle the car much (I have an '06 Pathfinder) but did cause a hairline crack in the bumper. The insurance agent offered to replace the seat, as he is a parent also.

I feel you on not replacing expensive seats, but if you have an accident, you can request that the insurance replace it, and they will.

As for a little fender bender, it is up to you, but remember that there may be more damage to your car than you can see, and that damage can also occur to your car seat.

Answer 2

i doubt you will have to buy a new one if it was just a tap on the bumper. it should be fine. i got rear ended once and the car seats are fine! and congrats on your new baby!

Answer 3

Congrats on the baby!

My answer will sound harsh, but I'll tell like it is: which is more expensive? A new car seat, or a baby funeral and a lifetime of knowing you might have prevented the child's death by replacing a car seat?

Car seat technicians have a saying: "Car seats are cheaper than caskets"

Most car seat manufacturers say replace a car seat after any accident, and yes, full coverage insurance of the person at fault will cover this, minus deductible. Britax follows NHTSA guidelines for when a seat needs to be replaced, found here:: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/c...

NHTSA says to always replace seats, even they were unoccupied at the time, of a moderate to severe crash. Seats in a minor crash may be ok. Minor crash meets all these criteria:

The vehicle was able to be driven away from the crash site;

The vehicle door nearest the safety seat was undamaged;

There were no injuries to any of the vehicle occupants;

The air bags (if present) did not deploy; AND

There is no visible damage to the safety seat

So tapping your bumper means that the seat doesn't have to be replaced. And you aren't in an accident every day, are you? LOL So you shouldn't need to be buying new seats all the time.

Answer 4

They pretty much mean that if the accident affects the car seat any, buy a new one. If it gets jolted, snapped, etc. I doubt you would need one if someone just tapped your bumper but if it was a hard hit, you would.

Answer 5

if there is damage to the car then buy a new car seat the reason for this is because it weakens the plastic on the carseat

Answer 6

I would not think a tap on the bumper warrants a new car seat.

Answer 7

What they mean is if the seat was jolted from its position. Even if it looks ok on the outside it may have internal damage.