another accident/ car seat question

Moontan · #1 September 25th, 2011, 02:31 PM

So, DH, Trey & I were in a small accident today. We were driving through a parking lot and a lady backed up without looking (she actually said that to the officer - i was surprised. i think i would have used the "you were in my blind spot" excuse.

) and smacked into the backend of our car. Nothing major, but the damage was on the passenger side, rear fender/tire. Trey sits on the passenger side, so he and his car seat were on the side of the damage. The accident wasn't tramatic or anything, in fact, Trey laughed and clapped because of DH's reaction and the crash noise ...BUT...the damage was severe enough that we couldn't even drive the car to the shop. It had to be towed (because the back tire was all wobbley & bent when we drove it just around the parking lot to get out of the way of other traffic).

anyways, my point is...when DH talked to the lady's insurance, the insurance representative (over the phone. we havent seen an adjuster yet) said that they only replace carseats on a case by case basis and that the car seat would have to be on site when the insurance adjuster was there to look at the car and he/she would decide by looking at the carseat if there was any damage. ???

Either way - i guess i'll just replace it. It was the cheap Cosco Scenera from Wal-Mart & in the mean time, we're using my mom's. But It kind of irks me that they "may or may not" pay for it. What standards are they going by? what good does it do them to see it? Anyone know? its not as if you can SEE if damage was done to the carseat. kwim?

any ideas? I cant find anything on the Cosco or Dorel (parent company) website to back up my thoughts that it should be replaced.

Moontan · #2 September 25th, 2011, 03:22 PM

OK...maybe i jumped the gun a bit.

I did a bit more research and i happened upon a post on JM that said they were in an accident, filed with the same insurance company i am filing with, and the rep told her to leave the seats in the car to be assessed. And they replaced them, no problem - and in HER case, her kids werent even in the carseats at the time of the crash. So, i guess i was just EXPECTING a fight, but i think maybe they just need to see them in order to verify make/model.

.H.e.a.t.h.e.r. · #3 September 25th, 2011, 05:06 PM

oh hell no. You can't always see the damage. ICBC used to try to do that where I used to live. Luckily state farm seems to be better here. when I was there signing up for insurance one of the agents took car seats that looked 100% and smashed them out back.

Also get to a dr!!! hope you are all okay!

RobinJS · #4 September 25th, 2011, 05:28 PM

Actually I work for ICBC and we always replace a carseat if it's been in a minor crash if the parent asks. We leave it up to the parent's discretion. That's our policy and I would be the person to pay for that (adjuster). I'm sorry if you've been given incorrect information, Heather B. We need to have the old carseat back and a copy of the receipt for the new one to pay for it. This prevents people from continuing to use the old one (some try to).

Heather I'm sure that insurance company wants to have the old carseat for the same reason we do.

LadyCoconut · #5 September 25th, 2011, 06:01 PM

I was thinking maybe they wanted the car seat there so you don't replace it with one that cost 3x as much and foot them the bill or something. But yeah you can't see damage/weakening to it with the naked eye so some random adjuster wouldn't be able to make that call... and they shouldn't! I'm really glad you guys are all okay.

mommawhitney · #6 September 25th, 2011, 06:09 PM

The seat needs to be replaced asap. 1. You can't always see damage 2. The company that makes the seat will say it needs to be replaced call them and ask for a letter to give your insurance company and 3 NHTSA (gov run organization that sets standards and does crash testing) says that if you ant drive your car away then replace the seat you can print this for them Child Restraint Re-use After Minor Crashes

And you might have to give them you old seat but its no good anymore so you don't need to use it anyway. When I was in a crash I went and bought identical seats to replace them and then gave state arm the receipt and they paid me back. They tried to BS me but with me being a car seat tech and my dad as my lawyer they gave up quickly and that was that. Don't let them give you the run around and even if they do he still needs a new seat. You just don't know how much damage has been done. The plastic could be weakened and not up hold in a second crash.

.H.e.a.t.h.e.r. · #7 September 25th, 2011, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobinJS

Actually I work for ICBC and we always replace a carseat if it's been in a minor crash if the parent asks. We leave it up to the parent's discretion. That's our policy and I would be the person to pay for that (adjuster). I'm sorry if you've been given incorrect information, Heather B. We need to have the old carseat back and a copy of the receipt for the new one to pay for it. This prevents people from continuing to use the old one (some try to).

Heather I'm sure that insurance company wants to have the old carseat for the same reason we do.

not false information. It happened to my Dad in 2006. Then they wanted to give like $100 for a $400 car seat even though we had the receipt.

RobinJS · #8 September 25th, 2011, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by .H.e.a.t.h.e.r.

not false information. It happened to my Dad in 2006. Then they wanted to give like $100 for a $400 car seat even though we had the receipt.

Ok then, your dad was given the wrong information. The $100 is the allowance they give for people who don't have receipts (I'd have to look it up because each seat type is different). So did he eventually get the right amount? Again I'm sorry your dad's adjuster gave him the wrong information.