new car seat after accident

nadnad

jetcat wrote: »

when i rang halfords, they checked their stock, and the cheapest one they have in stock is about £20 more than i paid for mine- though mine was on special at the time.

I would prefer to buy it instore, as they will fit it for me, its just i dont want to be pressured into going with someone at a time which might not suit - it can take me a while to prepare myself for going out - but i do get really embarrassed if having a panic attack etc! I also need it get it sorted asap, as obviously i cant take little one out in car with dodgy car seat, and i struggle with walking places.

I am bricking it for when husband turns up! I cant even get to garage to get estimate for repairs, as would need to take kids with me!!!

Thanks for your reassuring words!
x

you are absolutely right re getting it fitted - thats the best way, and again if you are replacing the seat with the exact one dont worry about the price being a little more than you paid - thats not your fault.

do you have anyone who could be with you for when the husband comes? that would make you feel a little more secure maybe.

bestpud

meigle21 wrote: »

If I were in your position, I would be grateful, that the person seems to genuinely care. If you car already has a few scratches, does it really matter? Would you want to claim your insurance if you accidentally scratched another car? If it's brand new and in pristine condition then yes, but if it's anything like mine (only 4 years old and bumped from car doors in car parks, scratches round the sides) does another one really make much difference?

Safety is the most important thing, so if shes buying you a new car seat I would settle for that, unless of course, there is more damage than just a few scratches.

As for her shopping with you, why don't you provide her with the make & model you want and just ask her if she can price it & give you the money to buy it yourself.

Good luck, I hope it all works out.

I'm sorry but I don't see your logic. The OP stated the other scratches were from a uninsured driver, so why does that mean she should happily allow careless drivers to add another one here and there?

Plus, if this woman gets away with it, she may go on to do the same again. A repair bill or insurance claim may well sharpen her driving skills.

jetcat

bestpud wrote: »

Can you clarify if you are looking at like for like, or are looking to replace the cheaper 'mistake' seat with one that you would normally buy?

sorry, am looking at like for like. The mistake one was twice the price that i would normally pay - the bebeconfort axiss one, but after using it fo a few months, turned out that it shouldnt be fitted in my car!!

So, the britax one i have now cost about £80 (should have been £100), and the only britax one my local store has in stock is £120. Another halfords about 30 mins drive has one for £90, which is about the price i would pay myself. Like i said, i am not looking to rip her off, i just need one fitting asap!

ali_p_4

annie-c wrote: »

You could just go straight to your insurers. If they want to pay to avoid losing no clauims then you insurers can let them do that. It will be quite straight forward.

My biggest worry is for your car as much as the car seat. A rear shunt can cause considerable damage to the underside which cannot be seen and needs to be examined by a garage. the costs can be considerable but that's what insurance is for. The first time you get a rear shunt your car is weakened (but can look ok) The second time your car will concertina up and offer no protection - in which case your child seat will be the least of your worries.

Please, please, please ring your insurers for advice ASAP. I have been in this position and was feeling pressured by the mum of the other driver. The insurers took it all off me, gave me a courtesy car and repaired mine and I had no contact with her again.

You should really be looking at getting your car checked over properly just to be on the safe side as annie says. You could go through your insurers and get your excess back from the other party who as has been said previously settle with insurance company privately without affecting their policy.

Jo_F

I agree with getting the car looked at properly, we got rear ended, and the amount of damage to the chassis was enough to write the car off, yet the damage at the impact point (the bumper) was barely worth looking at.

Contact your insurance company and let them take it from there. that's what you pay for.

kevin0410

Just my opinion but from the way the accident was described i am sure that the car seat would have suffered no damage, and just for the record i have a child who uses a car seat

Sami_Bee

OP i would call them and just say that you are unable to leave the house un assisted and therefore meeting up would be difficult, but you say "I have the make n model of carseat here, I have checked with my local halfords and it costs £120 from them" they can then check this if they want to or trust you and send a cheque.
I take it you have informed your insureance so they have all the details on file if you need to put it through as a claim so let the woman who hit u know that, I would also ask my insurance company which garages locally they would recommend and get your quote for damage repair from them so you can easily get it sorted by them if you need to use insurance company.

Be as strong as you can and DON'T let them choose who fixes your car - you don't want to end up with a bodge job.

jetcat

thanks to all

part sorted now - they came round, and despite being a bit shaky i managed to stand my ground - for my daughters' sake! Kevin, you said exactly what the other driver's husband said - he was almost sure that there would be no damage to the car seat. BUT, almost isnt good enough, and like i said to them, if i had had exactly the same accident, i would still fork out for a new seat. I am only going on the mothercare, halfords and garages etc advise! I would never forgive myself if i put her at risk!

Anyway, after arguing for a few mins, i simply said that ok, if they didnt want to pay i would need their insurance details - they then coughed up the £90. I am happy with that - despite having to go out of my way to go and get it!

The husband also turned out to be a retired paint sprayer - so he was really pushing for him to 'touch up' the bumper. THanks to all the previous advice from here, i again stood my ground and insisted on getting it checked out first. Garage first thing monday. He wasnt happy at all at this, but i think it needs doing!

I have informed my insurance, they have logged it and said to ring the claims dep on monday, even if not going through insurance, so thanks again for that advice!

I can relax a little now - we have just been over and got new seat, so thats a relief!

annie-c

Be careful with this. It is a legal requirement to swap insurance details and they should have done so already. Please speak to you own insurers for fuurther advice

RedBern

Jetcat - well done for standing your ground! Hopefully there's not a lot of damage - but you're wise to take the advice from here and have the car checked properly.