Insurance claim for car seats....

[DeliaOliver]

So I was in an accident a few weeks ago. The other part accepted liability and the bodywork on my car was repaired. We have 3 car seats in the back, and told our insure that we would like them replaced (as per safety recommendations). They've told us to buy all new, like for like, and send them the invoice, and they will remburse us.

One of the car seats is the first stage rear facing type, which DC3 is about to outgrow, he needs the next stage up.

Would it be unreasonable of me to buy the
next stage car seat instead, and bill the insurance company?

Sorry for typos, on phone!

YABU, hey why not upgrade them all to more expensive models while you are at it? Tis fraud.

It's not any more expensive...

Oh... Having checked, it's £9.99 more expensive... But I'm sure I could find it for less.

Not sure, you need a car seat he fits into and if you hadn't had the accident you would of bought a new one out of your own pocket.
You could take all 3 dc's to a reputable retailer to find replacememt seats then find out they think your youngest should be in the next stage so won't sell you a 0stage seat. Can the insurer really argue against you getting the correct seat for your dc's?

I don't think it is fraud, but might be worth telling the insurer if you feel guilty

How is it fraud? They can't be replaced with identical car seats - what if the car seats in the accident have been discontinued or were bought in a 1/2price sale at the time? Like for like could be double the cost now.

Just phone the insurance company and ask.

Just phone and ask - the claims handler will be able to tell you if its ok

i would call and ask.
the rules are you get the seats that were damaged replaced, which technically means you should be buying like for like (as they say)

I would definitely phone and clarify.