Do I need to replace our carseat (accident)?

DevonPow

DH was in a car accident the other day - someone turned left in front of him and he hit the side of their car. It wasn't bad - some front grill/bumper damage, a headlight broke, etc. He is still driving it. DS's (empty) car seat was in the car. I know you should replace a carseat after accidents, but in a fairly minor accident like this is it necessary?

mikeandmonica

I would be way too paranoid and would totally replace it.  But I was just rear ended recently and insurance covered it 100% to replace them so I could be biased.

caitlinsmom

your car seat manufacturer's website should have a checklist of when a seat needs to be replaces or you could check www.car-seat.org

In any case your insurance should cover the replacement

~appletini~

Yes, please do. There could even be a hairline fracture in the structure of your carseat that you can't see that could cause an issue with the seat's safety, just not worth it.  Plus, as others said, your insurance should replace it.

ghm

All manufacturers except britax and sunshine kids require immediate replacement. Call your carseat manufacturer and find out for sure. Britax and sunshine kids have a list to help you determine if you should replace.

DevonPow

Thanks everyone. It is a Britax Frontier, and Britax goes by the NHTSA guidelines, under which it says we do not need to replace it (no airbag deployment, no door damage, no injuries, car was driven from accident, etc)

xbrooklyngrl

I did. The insurance for the other driver paid for it so I had iot replaced. Ours was minor as well.