Should I replace the car seat?

[tutu100]

Today I was in a car which had another car reverse into the back of it in a car park, so a fairly low speed impact. However it was quite a jolt as the seat belts locked.

Should I replace Ds2's car seat (it is a group 1 seat). I am concerned as obviously you are told to never use a car seat that has been in an accident but would this count as an accident?

My DM and GF both think I'm being a bit over the top, which I admit I may be, but I don't want to find out that the seat isn't ok if we ever have another accident.

Am I being too cautious?

How much more than an emergency stop was the jolt?

Was ds2 in it at the time ? Personally I wouldn't (and didn't) for a low impact shunt.

It was quite a jolt, more than an emergency stop would be. There is a crack in the rear bumper and the force of the accident caused the windscreen seal to pop out of place.

I phoned Britax customer services and they said if the damage is just to the bumper the seat will be ok, but it the chassis of the car is damaged then the seat will need replacing. So I'm going to borrow my Mum's seat until we know the full extent of the damage to my GF car.

Ds2 was in the car seat at the time which apparently can make a difference to whether the seat is ok. He was ok, but the impact was hard enough for the buckle of his seat belt to leave a red mark on his tummy.

Thanks for both your responses.

ring your insurance company and ask them. I think that because your DS was in the seat and it was obviously quite a jolt I'd replace it.

When I was at lights with handbrake on, and someone drove into the back of me, our insurance covered the cost of the replacement. Presumably you're going through insurance for the bumper etc?

It's my GF car so it will all be done through his insurance. I have asked him to tell the insurance company about the car seat and see what they say. Luckily I have access to another car seat in the mean time. Should the seat be covered as standard through the insurance?

your car seat should be covered if it is a fully comp policy, they will try to wriggle out of it though BUT stand your ground- they may also require a reciept for the seat- try and lay your hands on one if you don't have it- anyone bought a seat recently .

Personally as a former retailer i would reccomend replacement, and if someone came and asked me for advice i used to have a standard letter to send to the ins company claiming the need for a new one. Any damage will be unseen, and the only sure fire way of knowing if the seat was damaged in the ding is to test it....... and there's only one way to do that, and it would then be too late to tell

Find out what they say, some ins companies are great at car seat replacement.