Replace Car Seat?

I was in a similar accident a few years ago and the officer told me I didn't need to replace it because the car was not totaled

Hi G., sorry to hear about your accident. I hit a deer about 2 years ago, and our insurance covered the replacement of all three of our car seats, and the kids weren't even in them. When I called the manufacurer they said it was a good idea. I had heard, but was never confirmed one way or the other for sure that if you are in an accident and you don't replace the seat that if you are ever in another accident and the seat malfunctions that you don't have any coverage as far as legally because the seat had already been compromised. So I took the insurance up on it, and actually upgraded slightly my car seats and they sent me a check to reimburse me.

I don't know about specific conditions but what I've heard is that your insurance (or the other drivers insurance if at fault) should cover your carseat. I'd start by checking into the insurance co. Better safe than sorry.

Here is a link with info from Carseat.org: http://www.carseat.org/Resources/FAQs.htm#replace

And another from The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/childps/ChildRestr...

Looks like the general rule is to replace the seat no matter what unless it was a minor crash (the NHTSA website outlines what's considered "minor").

Does the Evenflo handbook say anything? You could always give them a call. My guess would be that they will say to replace it, because it's a liability.

That had to be so scary! I hope you're both OK.

I thought this might help... I once saw something that listed the speed, etc. at which it was okay, but maybe this list is what I was thinking of. If you should have it replaced, the insurance (whoever's fault it was) should pay for the seats. I've had my daughter's replaced twice (and we buy the expensive britax seats and they never blinked). I hope this helps.. http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/childps/ChildRestr...