Do I Need to Replace These Car Seats?

I would not worry about replaceing them!! If it was a major collision then yes maybe at that point but not a minor one.

I would not and have not. I have been in an accident like that with no damage to my car other than a few scratches on the bumper. We also have an evenflo car seat. I am with the NHTSA on that one.

When I was rear-ended a few years ago, the police officer that came to the accident scene so there was no need to replace the carseats unless it was a high impact accident. In most areas, if there is a high impact accident, the paramedics will cut the carseat straps at the scene to insure that the carseats aren't used again.
A friend who works with accident reconstruction double-checked our carseats as well to make sure there were no stress marks on the straps on the plastic.

Our auto insurance replaces all car seats that have been in an accident, whether they were occupied or not.

I was rear ended and I replaced both of my car seats. the insurance company reimbursed me.

While a pian, I would replace them. You can keep them for an emergency when somone other than you or your hubby are transporting them/or one of them.

I look at it this way.. can you put a price tag on your childs saftey? It is part of the damage to your car, the car seats should be included I would think, but talk to your insurance agent.

Good Luck, and I am happy that no one was hurt.

IMO, replace the seats and add them to any insurance claim you may have. My insurance paid for my Keyfit 30 to be replaced, as Chicco said any accident it should be replaced. I've also seen video of a police officer explaining how seats expire and said that even though the seat didn't look damaged, the woman replaced it because you can't see damage. I am surprised Britax is telling you not to replace it.

I was in a rear end accident and since no airbags deployed the other drivers and my insurance would not pay for replacement seats. I also did not feel strongley about replacing them as the cab of the vehicle remained intact. - It cracked a bumper that is about it.

If this happend to me, I wouldn't replace them, but if you are worried, better safe than sorry.

I would definitely replace them. The insurance company should pay for them/reimburse you. I would replace both carseats for sure. Better to be safe. I wouldn't chance it. You may not see damage but there could be damage to the structure of the carseat. Glad you are ok!

I personally think replacing them would be overkill, even if you would be reimbursed I think it is completely unnecessary. I bet you yank and pull on the carseats harder when you install them than when you get tapped from behind. I doubt they even moved one iota.

You should ask the insurance to replace both of them.

Yes you need to replace both seats. When you buy the new ones, as long as you report the accident to your insurance company, the insurance will ask for copies of the receipts and they'll reimburse you for the seats.

There could be internal damage that you can't see. It could have compromised the seats so that in the future if there's another accident and the children are in the seats, the seats don't protect them as well as they should.

This is a case of "better safe than sorry."

The person at faults insurance is required to cover the car seats whether you replace them or not. We had a similar thing happen to us. We did not replace the seats, but the insurance compensated us anyway. They told my husband they had too.

I was rear ended a couple of year ago but at a higher impact, but my airbags did not go off. I thought the car seat was fine at first inspection but went to the police station and had them inspect it and they actually found impact damage and therefore it had to be replaced. So if you really want to be sure, I would suggest going to your local police station and have them check it out for you. This way you have peace of mind. Hope this helps.

Our car seats take more of a beating with kids climbing in and out of the car, climbing over the back of the seat, etc. than they would in a minor rear end collision. So no, I would not replace them. Evenflo seats aren't made differently from Britax, their company simply has a stronger warning so that they can never get sued!

You need to replace these seats...his insurance will cover the costs. It isn't about the damage you can see with car seats but the damage you can't. Its one of those safety things that is better safe than sorry.

I would replace them both. Either you or your insurance agent needs to contact the guy's insurance and tell them that you need new car seats ASAP.
When I was hit at an intersection (although mine was a tad harder) the guys insurance paid for my new seats the next day.

No need, here's a link to the 'rules'. Honestly it sounds beyond minor, and I don't think it would have even crossed my mind.

"NHTSA recommends that child safety seats be replaced following a moderate or severe crash in order to ensure a continued high level of crash protection for child passengers.

NHTSA recommends that child safety seats do not automatically need to be replaced following a minor crash.

Minor crashes are those that meet ALL of the following criteria:

The vehicle was able to be driven away from the crash site;

The vehicle door nearest the safety seat was undamaged;

There were no injuries to any of the vehicle occupants;

The air bags (if present) did not deploy; AND

There is no visible damage to the safety seat"

http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/childps/childrestraint...

notify your insurance company that carseats were in the car they will let you know if your policy or theirs will allow(give you a refund fter you have purchased the needed carseats then mail them the receipt but keep a copy for your records) a replacement of the carseats.It is conflicting information I have been told not to replace them in very minor accidents that they only need to be replaced when aiir bags go off or if theres been a rear/forward car crash but what about side impactions where the baby is I would certainly replace them too

Hi, TT:

Don't worry.
Keep your car seats.
Nothing is wrong with them.
Good luck.
D.

i doubt i would. did the impact actually move anything in your car? like if you were to have a box of tissues on the seat or anywhere it could fall. would it have fallen? i ask this because if not it probably was not harsh enough hit to actually jar anything on the seat. if it was a tap like slight shove its not harsh enough. did it actually move the car forward like a foot or a few inches?? then perhaps i would. if it was just the tap and the car did not move and your pretty sure nothing was shoved on the car seat then your ok.

I had a similar accident and insurance wouldn't pay for new seats because it was a minor accident. They also quoted NHTSA. I called Britax and Graco and they both said the seats would be fine. For peace of mind, you may want to call the seat manufacturers and double check. Although, they have a vested interest in sellling you new seats!