Question Crash--Do I need to replace my Boulevard?

sparkle3116

New member
My stepfather was driving my mom's Prius today and was rear-ended.

We were not with him, but my son's new Boulevard was installed in the car (outboard behind the driver's seat). :(

It's a hatchback. The lower rear window was broken, the taillights have minor damage, and the rear hatch looks like it doesn't line up any more. We're waiting on an estimate, but I'm guessing it will be $3,000+ to repair by the time they replace the whole bumper assembly and everything.

The door nearest the car seat was not damaged and to the best of my knowledge nobody was injured (teenage stepsister who was in the back seat winced at the time of the accident and is a little stiff, so not sure if she has mild whiplash).

I don't think it technically meets the NHTSA criteria for replacement, but I feel like this is one of those borderline cases.

What do you think?

Would you continue to use the seat?

Do insurance companies tend to use the NHTSA criteria or just replace the seat if the damage reaches a certain threshold?

My stepfather didn't mention to the insurance company that there was a car seat in the car, so I'm guessing I would need to call them?

Also, I don't have a receipt for the seat because it was a "free" Britax Registry Rewards Program seat.

Thanks!
 
ADS

T4K

Well-known member
Soreness and stiffness after a wreck is considered an injury, I think.

I would mention it to the insurance company and see what they say. Some let you buy whatever you want to be reimbursed, some want you to turned the crashed seat in, and some want to
Know what you are buying so they can issue you a check for the purchase price.
 

jacqui276

New member
I would consider stiffness/minor whiplash an injury and would replace it. It sounds like there was a decent amount of damage to the car so I wouldn't consider it driveable after the accident as well. I haven't had an issue getting car seats replaced without an original receipt as long as I buy an equivalent seat and submit my new receipts. Give the insurance company a call and see what they say about it.
 

monica-m

CPST Instructor
I agree with the PPs. If stepsis is sore I would consider that an injury. The insurance of the person that caused the accident should pay for a new seat. Often you just have to send them a link or a printout of the seat for sale online and they'll cut you a check for that amount.

Good luck and thank goodness no one was seriously injured.
 

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