is it really true that your car seat is no longer any good after an accident?

[chocolateshoes]

Last week someone drove into the back of my car. It was only a little bump - I reckon she must have been doing about 15mph at most. She has damaged bumper and boot door. Anyway - we have a car seat in back. Do you think it will have been damaged by the impact. DP is questionning whether we really need to replace it as it does seem unlikely that it will have been affected at all?

What do you all think pleaes?

If you are claiming on the insurance, then I would insist that it is replaced - alot of insurance companies do it automatically now once you tell them you have a car seat - there is no telling of the internal damage to a car seat. I would look at this link via RoSPA - it suggests replacing car seats after any impact.

www.childcarseats.org.uk/choosing/common_problems.htm#accident

It is one of those awkward questions and a risk - depends upon how old the car seat is, the age of your child and whether they are needing to move up to a next stage car seat soon!

I had a side bump when a driver came of his drive into my car at the rear on the side that the car seat was in - my dd was not in the car fortunately, but I used the letter on that web link and sent it to my insurance company and they paid out for a new seat - she was 18 months and I got a high back booster seat with an integral harness which she used for a further 4 years - so saved me the expense! And I sold the car seat cover on Ebay - the seat went to the tip and I cut the straps off so it could not be used!

Anyway, I guess it is a risk to be considered, and only you and your DP can make that decision - but if it isnt going to cost you anything, then I would pursue it!

I agree, but what happens when chuck the seats out of the car when I am cleaning it?

if the seat was in the car when the accident happened then cut the straps and bin it,it doesnt matter how slow the car was going it was still an impact,

deegward,dont get what u mean by chuck the seats out of the car when cleaning it?
i take my car seats out once a week to clean my car,but i dont chuck them anywhere???

Thanks....that's a good idea about cutting the straps - I was wondering what to do.