Insurance replacing our carseats, which ones to buy?

[AutumnMama]

We had DD (7) in a Graco Turbobooster, DS1 (5) in a Radian 65, and DS2(3) in a Safety 1st Intera.
The kids weren't in the car at the time of the accident, but the insurance co wants to replace the seats since the airbags went off.

It's been a few years since I did carseat research so I thought I'd ask here, you all know your car safety stuff fairly thoroughly :thumbsup:

The car is totaled, but I'm not sure what we're going to be replacing it with (just started a post on *that* a few minutes ago ), other than it will be a used minivan.

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Raegansmom4]

What are your children's weights, heights, and torso measurements. That will give us a better idea of what to recommend. Thanks!

 

[AutumnMama]

I'll get those measurements as soon as I can find my tape. We were house/nephew-sitting for almost 3 weeks and just got home...everything is chaos at the moment

 

[AutumnMama]

Ok, found it.

DD's stats:
Height - 49"
Torso - 18"
Weight - 56 lbs

DS1's stats:

Height - 45.5"
Torso - 16.5"
Weight - 50lbs

DS2's stats:

Height - 37.5
Torso - 15"
Weight - 32 lbs

 

[disbugsmomma]

I would probably get 2 Nautis or 2 radians for DS's and either another TB for dd, or whatever booster you like for her.

 

[abacus2]

I'm not sure on the booster as I'm not completely excited about the Turbo, Parkway, and Vivo that I have. But for the others, I would choose two Radians and a MyRide. The narrowness of the Radians is so nice with lots of seats, but I'm really impressed with the MyRide and think it is a nicer RFing seat.

 

[Katy]

You might want to check what thier limits are first. When my friend had her seats replaced the insurance company said she had to get one at a similar value/features to the ones crashed. She tried getting a trading her under $100 carseat in for one above $200. Also they wouldn't let her trade her infant for a convertible.

I'm sure all insurance companies have differnt policies. Hopefully you can get the seats that you need.

 

[AutumnMama]

Yeah, she said to try and get similar car seats to what we had, but she said there was no price limit.
I'm definitely not going to test that all the way by trying to get a way more expensive seat though

DS2 is fairly petite, he's FF now, but he's only about 27 lbs, so I could turn him back RF if we had the room.
It looks like the Nautilus is only only FF?

 

[AutumnMama]

Ok, added DS2's stats

 

[steph_s]

I would get the new Parkway SG for the oldest (I have one and it's FAR superior to the TB which I HATE with a passion). No girly covers out yet, but it's a nice seat with SIP but not huge wings like the original pkwy which I really didn't like and it didn't fit my small child well at all. Plus it extends much taller than the tb and positions the belt better.


For the other 2 I would get 2 Radians and flip your ds 2 back around rear facing. The pkwy sg isn't horribly wide (wider than the turbo though) but the Radian's are narrow so you should be able to do 3 across easily and rf the youngest again.

By the time ds1 gets out of the Radian your dd will likely only need a no back booster and then you can put ds2 in the parkway and only need to buy a backless for the oldest which are super cheap. I think I saw something on here about a Radian and pkwy sg deal going on now so you should be able to get it for fairly cheap.

Or, get 2 pkwy sg boosters and a Radian for the youngest. Your ds1 is old enough and big enough for a booster and my small 5yo fits REALLY nicely in the pkwy sg! I never thought I would feel comfortable with him in a seatbelt but I do with this seat!

 

[Kat_Momof3]

Ok, found it.

DD's stats:
Height - 49"
Torso - 18"
Weight - 56 lbs

Since she's 7, I'd say a Sunshine Kids' Monterey or Recaro Vivo Booster would do well for her.. nice and tall... it'll just depend which one fits her better for width (they go taller than the turbobooster)

DS1's stats:

Height - 45.5"
Torso - 16.5"
Weight - 50lbs

if you want to keep him harnessed, I'd get the Graco Nautilus or Britax Frontier (they also turn into boosters down the road, with the frontier being a better booster and the Nautilus lasting a bit longer in the harness)

If you're ready to move him to a booster, I'd get the Recaro Vivo (on sale at albeebaby.com), Turbobooster, or SK Monterey (again, depending on which fits him best for width)

DS2's stats:

Height - 37.5
Torso - 15"
Weight - 32 lbs

what I'd do is get the Graco Myride if you want to put him rearfacing again... till 40lbs... or the Radian XTSL... till 45lbs (unless he outgrows them by height first, but I doubt it in the Radian)

Now if you want him ff, I'd get the Britax Frontier or Graco Nautilus.

 

[AutumnMama]

JUST FYI for anybody who might look at this for reference, I got the MyRide and had to return it. DS (3 y/o and 32 lbs) has already outgrown it by height.
I ended up putting him in the seat I had originally gotten for DS1 - the Graco Nautilus.

Going to order the big kids' seats today...still not sure what I'm going to get.