Question about being reimbursed by insurance company for a carseat

On Sunday, on our way home from Lowe's, just 5 minutes from home, a guy driving a miniman was making an illegal u-turn and DH tired to go around him to avoid hitting him the guy hit us at the rear passenger side. I am so thankful that we are all OK because if we were in any other vehicle the outcome would be VERY different.

Anyway, since we were hit on the side were the baby sits there looks like there is a stress mark in the base of infant carrier. I want to get a whole new car seat. DD#2 is already 26" so I feel like it is a waste to buy another infant carrier. Does the insurance company only replace what you have or can I get a convertible?

ETA: I will be calling my insurance company but I have a habit of talking to much so I want to have an idea before I call.

Message edited 10/11/2011 8:46:59 AM.

Re: Question about being reimbursed by insurance company for a carseat

So glad you are all ok

Not sure, but won't they give you money for the cost to replace the car seat you have? Then you can use that money for whatever seat you want.

Re: Question about being reimbursed by insurance company for a carseat

Just ask for the $ to replace what you have, & then buy what you want... it's damage to your product (and it would be a de-valued product I believe)

My friend had MAJOR issues getting $$ for a carseat replacement (she had the most $$ of Britax), but had receipts & all.

Re: Question about being reimbursed by insurance company for a carseat

My son was in a minor accident, and the mans insurance company told my father that I had to go out and buy a new carseat. We have Brtiax's and my father told the guy that we have an expensive carseat. He said, if you have a $300, go and buy a $300 carseat. But if you already had a $20 carseat, don't go and buy a $500 carseat.

I have yet to talk to him, so I will see what he says.

ETA: Glad everyone is okay!

Message edited 10/11/2011 9:33:30 AM.

Re: Question about being reimbursed by insurance company for a carseat

Car seat replacements are normally not reduced like other items.

I had to replace my Boulevard under insurance, we didn't have a receipt. We gave them printouts of the seat from BRU, BBB and Albee Baby with current pricing and they reimbursed us full value. We did have to threaten to sue the other driver in small claims to have them do it though. Part of the problem is we had the same insurer and they wanted to put it as personal property under OUR policy rather than the at fault driver's.

FM me if you have issues and I can try and help you, but since you're not at fault you shouldn't have an issue.

Regardless of insurance, the entire seat (base and carrier) needs to be replaced. Car seats are a one time only deal, and it did it's job already.

Glad you are all ok

Re: Question about being reimbursed by insurance company for a carseat

So I called and they said they could either give me $75 per seat that was in the car or I could buy them and then be reimbursed after they evaulated the receipt.
I told them to just send me the money because I didn't feel like fighting with them if there was an issue since I knew it didn't make sense to buy another infant carrier and I didn't want to them to question why I bought a convertible.

Thank you for the responses!!

Re: Question about being reimbursed by insurance company for a carseat

I wouldn't settle for $75 for the seat.

No way.

The base alone costs that much.

If you don't have the receipt, print out the page from BRU/BBB and fight it.

Also, if you had the seat installed with the seat belt and not latch, you need to have your seat belt inspected for stretching/damage. All occupied seat belts should actually be checked for stress.