[metropolis]

My father's car was rear-ended by a taxi last week and he has an Infa Secure Vario Max in the back for the odd occasion when he transports one of my children.

No-one was in the seat and my father wasn't hurt - there's considerable damage to the back of the car but I guess the accident could be considered a bingle. He also has damage to the front bumper as he was pushed into the car in front.

Now the repairer says the seat doesn't need to be replaced under insurance as there was no-one in it (so no stress placed where the seat belt digs into the seat etc). This goes against everything I've ever heard about car seats being in accidents - I thought the rule was to replace them no matter how small the accident.

I now couldn't on-sell the seat to another family either, because I cannot conscionably say that it has never been in an accident. Does anyone have any advice? Do I march in there and demand that it's replaced or is the repairer right?

Extremely frustrated here - thanks for the help

[lsolaBella]

For a Booster Seat which is unoccupied in a minor accident I would continue to use it. Even a 5pt harness seat which is unoccupied in a minor accident I would continue to use, unless the seat was sitting at the point of impact.

So you know what speeds people were going at at the time of the accident?



This post has been edited by lsolaBella: 13/12/2012, 11:08 AM

[metropolis]

For a Booster Seat which is unoccupied in a minor accident I would continue to use it. Even a 5pt harness seat which is unoccupied in a minor accident I would continue to use, unless the seat was sitting at the point of impact.

So you know what speeds people were going at at the time of the accident?

I think it was fairly low speed as Dad was stopped at a red traffic light and the taxi drove into the rear of his car. Estimating, by the look of the damage, I'd say no more than about 20-30km per hour.

Many thanks. Have had a similar response on another forum, so it seems I can relax

[lsolaBella]

I won't bother replying too on the other forum then

One could say I am crazy about prams as well as car seats.



This post has been edited by lsolaBella: 13/12/2012, 06:21 PM

[metropolis]

I won't bother replying too on the other forum then

One could say I am crazy about prams as well as car seats.

So you agree about it not being a concern Isolabella?

[lsolaBella]

For me no.

This post has been edited by lsolaBella: 13/12/2012, 07:44 PM

[monkeys mum]

I honestly would replace it and not go by the advice of a repairer, or speak to the insurance to see what their advice is. I believe any accident can put stress on a seat that many would not see, is there any car seat safety centres near you that you could ring for advice or take the seat to?

[MammaBee81]

If you are in NSW Australia, I'd just pop down to the RTA and ask for a restraint fitter to have a look at it for you. They set and maintain the safety standards. The RTA website says they can do an inspection for $15-$20. Worth it for peace of mind eh?

Not sure if it's the same in other states or countries - but ask your local Roads and Traffic Authority or similar organisation.

xx b

If you are in NSW Australia, I'd just pop down to the RTA and ask for a restraint fitter to have a look at it for you. They set and maintain the safety standards. The RTA website says they can do an inspection for $15-$20. Worth it for peace of mind eh?

Not sure if it's the same in other states or countries - but ask your local Roads and Traffic Authority or similar organisation.

xx b

[MammaBee81]

woah deja-vu... sorry not sure why that posted twice