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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to be wavering about replacing a car seat after a bump?

39 replies

Mooncupdotcom · 23/08/2017 20:09

I know car seats should be replaced after an accident and that they can have invisible damage. More of a WWYD as this may not be so clear cut.

BUT I had a very minor shunt last week. I was stationary at traffic lights and someone behind in a 4x4 pulled forward too soon, bumping my estate car. It's cracked the bumper along the length of it but the garage said it's minor. No damage under bumper.

I rang the car seat manufacturer and they said not to bother replacing if a "car park styled bump under 10mph", although their website says 10kmph...

Would you buy a new one? I'm a real worrier and concerned I'm spending money unnecessarily when the seat is fine....
WWYD?

OP posts:
StillDrivingMeBonkers · 23/08/2017 20:10

I wouldn't bother.

NotSuchASmugMarriedNow1 · 23/08/2017 20:13

If the air bag went off you need to replace the car seat. I think that's the advice.

Welshmaenad · 23/08/2017 20:15

Surely you would be claiming the cost from the driver at fault's insurance anyway?

I would, personally, just because I'd always feel slightly uneasy about it.

Original poster
Mooncupdotcom · 23/08/2017 20:17

Interesting about air bag. None of them went off. Your mixed reactions are all the thoughts I've been wavering between this week!

OP posts:
PurpleMinionMummy · 23/08/2017 20:21

Ask your insurance company?

MadeForThis · 23/08/2017 20:21

It would be the responsibility of the other persons insurance to pay to replace the car seat.

Original poster
Mooncupdotcom · 23/08/2017 20:22

Insurers say ask manufacturer!

I can't work out what speed you would be going pulling away from lights...?

OP posts:
Pengggwn · 23/08/2017 20:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

divafever99 · 23/08/2017 20:24

Their insurance would cover the cost of a new seat. For peace of mind I would replace, but I am a worrier!

DesignedForLife · 23/08/2017 20:24

I wouldn't bother, and haven't in the same circumstances

lanbro · 23/08/2017 20:29

Someone shunted me in a queue of traffic the other day, my car had a slight mark but the other guy's bumper was totally caved in - to be honest it never crossed my mind to buy new seats!

ShatnersBassoon · 23/08/2017 20:35

It does seem terribly wasteful to get a new seat after a tiny shunt. They aren't flimsy. They get bashed about more in everyday use than they would from a small bump to the back of the car.

littlemisssweetness · 23/08/2017 20:56

It depends on the brand as it when they need to be replaced but if the manufacturer has said it doesn't need replacing then no insurance will cover it

Onetedisbackinbed · 23/08/2017 21:14

They probably get more impact when you emergency stop. I wouldn't replace

manglethedangle · 23/08/2017 21:43

If the air bag went off you need to replace the car seat. I think that's the advice.

That's definitely not the advice. I had an accident which wrote my car off, pushed the back of my car in to the the middle, and my air bags didn't go off!

OP, a accident of less than 10mph and with NO VISIBLE DAMAGE to the vehicle, you don't need to replace it. Any visible damage and you do.

Argue with the insurance about like for like if you are worried about cost.

Lilimoon · 23/08/2017 22:15

I would replace.

StripyHorse · 23/08/2017 22:43

Go through the insurance. My mum did when she was shunted at a roundabout. Here's a standard letter if you need to push the insurance people www.childcarseats.org.uk/choosing-using/replacing-a-child-seat-after-an-accident/

Samoyedydog · 24/08/2017 07:16

I wouldn't replace in this situation.

Mol1628 · 24/08/2017 07:17

I wouldn't replace for that no.

Madwoman5 · 24/08/2017 08:10

I had the same as mangle. No airbag deployment but smashed back end. The polystyrene on the back seat and the strain on the seatbelt fixings meant I replaced and claimed. For yours? I probably would not if in the same situation unless seatbelt fixings were strained or sign of damage. Imho of course.

Doomhutch · 24/08/2017 08:19

They probably get more impact when you emergency stop. I wouldn't replace

I agree - you were there OP so only you can know how minor it was, but from what you've described I wouldn't replace it.

Neutrogena · 24/08/2017 08:25

Nope - unless you think there is structural damage to the car seat, don't replace.

calmanban · 24/08/2017 08:27

I would. The other person's insurance should cover it

SonicBoomBoom · 24/08/2017 08:29

The 4x4's insurance will pay for the car seat. So definitely replace it.

Then keep your current one as a spare for emergencies or whatever.

ItsNotLit · 24/08/2017 08:40

I wouldn't replace it.