Do I need a new car seat?! So stressed!

[Bunsbett]

reversed into the wall around 10 miles per hour. Made a loud bang and shook the car. I’ve read you need a new car seat if that happens? Do I need to go by insurance? First time mum to one year old and very worried.

Baby not in car

It was on the baby seat corner where it happened too, not the whole of the back of the car which I think makes it worse?

My understanding is that for a minor impact, the car seat doesn't need to be replaced.

No, that sounds very minor. I wouldn’t worry.

No.

And it doesn't matter which corner you crashed; It would be the force put through the seat that would matter.

At 10mph an empty seat isn't going to have had any more impact than that it will have already had when being transported around before you bought it, or when you've been using it.

Thanks. It did make a loud bang and and I felt a bit shaken in my seat if that makes sense. But I’m obviously not hurt or anything, I could just feel the impact

No, I would think it's no different than if you bumped the car seat around while fitting it in the car. I'm usually very very hot on car seat safety but this is ok. Well done for checking though- you're doing the right thing to ask.

Hope you're okay though, even a slow bump can shake you up!

I think it will be fine. Don't worry. Sounds like a similar shock to doing an emergency stop - horrible in the moment but no lasting damage.

Is the car bashed up, will you claim through insurance?

I think the guidance is any accident that sets off the airbags.

I am going to go against every one here, I was rear-ended at low speed, baby also not in the car but seat was. My insurance company insisted the seat was replaced regardless of the speed of the impact.

Personally, if it was fast enough to create a loud bang and shake the car I wouldn't be risking having a baby in it and it failing to protect them in a future crash.

Contact your car seat manufacturer. Outline the accident and send pictures of the damage, they will be able to advise whether you need a replacement or not.