[ResultsNotTypica...]

I was in an accident today where I was hit from behind quite hard - Ethan wasn't with me (thank god) but his seat was in the car.

The hit was hard enough to write my car off, the rear end is ruined and it can't be driven. It's an old Commodore, so not an easy feat.

Ill be dealing with AAMI (the other guys insurer), but I want to know if they have to replace the seat, or if they get to decide on a case by case basis?

Also, while I'm here, what do I need to look for in a new seat? Will I get to choose one? Or do they replace with same/similar model as the current seat? (We have had the tilt and adjust, can't think of the brand right now, since he was a newborn.)

Ethan is 21 months (almost), about 13 kgs (maybe a little more now) and about 80cms tall (I think). Any recommendations on a new seat for him?

Sorry this is a bit disjointed and rambly, it's just matching my brain at the moment.

Thanks in advance for any help or advice. Much appreciated.

NN.

[living~in~the~no...]

We were in an accident and it was compulsory for the seats to be replaced (bit like a motor bike helmet and something to do with internal structure).

I went to a baby shop and got a written quote to replace the same brand and type of seats that I had and the Insurer gave me a voucher for that place and I got the seats that I wanted to that same value.

So effectively they replace for cost not style.

[PriLou]

Our car was also written off last year and the wreckers cut the seat out, although it doesn't look damaged. We purchased a new seat of our choosing and the insurer reimbursed the cost. It was very straight forward.

[FortuneCookie]

How old is your seat? It may be covered by the Britax Crash Exchange Program.
http://www.britax.com.au/customer-service/crash-exchange

[ResultsNotTypica...]

ok, that makes sense.

Glad we went for a good seat to start with. Gives us a bit more scope for replacement options.

[miraclebaby11]

Hi NannaNapper,

Glad everyone is ok, a car can be replaced.

They should replace the seat with an equivalent in today's market.

Also you should be dealing with your insurer and then it is up to your insurance company to deal with the 3rd party's insurer to recover the costs.

[DragonflyGal]

You need to speak to your employer too about filling in forms as the accident happened on the way to work, you'll be covered by workers comp. Even just for the day off today.

[ResultsNotTypica...]

Hi NannaNapper,

Glad everyone is ok, a car can be replaced.

They should replace the seat with an equivalent in today's market.

Also you should be dealing with your insurer and then it is up to your insurance company to deal with the 3rd party's insurer to recover the costs.

I only have 3rd party property/fire/theft, so I can't use my insurer for things that I own. I have an old, old car. The other guys insurer have already had a claim lodged - I checked with them this afternoon.

You need to speak to your employer too about filling in forms as the accident happened on the way to work, you'll be covered by workers comp. Even just for the day off today.

Apparently travel to and from work is no longer a legal requirement of workcover, it can be removed from a workplaces policy.

My workplace has chosen to remove it. ** sigh ** I did fill out an incident report though, just in case it relates to anything that crops up later.

[lsolaBella]

Glad you are OK.

I would replace the seat with another Meridian T&A. It is the seat which gets 4 stars FF. The only other seat to get 4 stars FF in CREP testing is the Babylove Ezy Combo (convertible booster seat), but personally I don' t like these type of seats for children under 2yrs (actually more 2.5-3yrs). They tend to be more upright seats and if your child falls asleep in the car their head falls forward at horrid angles.

So yes, I would be pushing for a replacement of the same type of seat a Meridian T&A. You can worry about booster seats in the future when you get to that stage (and I am sure there will be new booster seats available then - the best technology of today is the ancient technology of the future ).

[lsolaBella]

DP

This post has been edited by lsolaBella: 24/04/2012, 08:28 AM