How to Replace a Booster Seat After an Accident

One of the most important rules for child safety is that a car seat or booster seat should be replaced after an accident. Even if there is no visible damage to the seat, the structural integrity of the seat could be affected. Often, you can have your booster seat or car seat replaced at no cost to you. If you have been in an accident and need to replace your child's seat, there are a few steps you should take.

Instructions

    • 1

      Determine whether or not your accident was minor. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, child safety seats can safely be used after a minor accident. Your accident must meet all of the following criteria in order to be considered minor. You must have been able to drive your car away from the scene of the accident. No passengers will have been injured in the accident. Your car's airbags will not have deployed, and the door nearest your child's seat must not have been damaged. The booster seat must not have any visible damage. If your accident does not meet all of these criteria, it is considered moderate or severe and your child's seat must be replaced.

    • 2

      Obtain a copy of the receipt from when you purchased the old, damaged booster seat. If you no longer have a copy of the receipt, search for information regarding your damaged seat on the internet. Obtain information regarding the same brand and model (or a comparable one if yours is no longer in production). Include a product description and current market price. Print out this information.

    • 3

      Purchase a replacement booster seat for your child. It should be the same model as the one you are replacing if it is still in production. A comparable model is acceptable if your original is no longer available. Keep a copy of the receipt from your purchase. Your goal is to show the insurance company that you are purchasing a new seat that is similar in cost and quality to the one that was damaged in the accident.

    • 4

      Contact your car insurance company. Inform it that you are seeking a replacement booster seat because yours was damaged in an accident. Provide the receipt from your new booster seat purchase, as well as the original receipt or the information you printed regarding the damaged booster seat. Send or fax this information so that it becomes part of your accident claim.

    • 5

      Follow up with your insurance company to confirm that the cost of your new booster seat will be reimbursed to you. If you are being reimbursed for other damages related to the accident, the cost of your new booster seat will likely be paid to you at the same time.

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