Does auto insurance cover car seats?

Car Seat Insurance Coverage and Claims

If you are in an car accident, car seat insurance might be on your mind. So, does insurance cover a new car seat after accident? Or does insurance cover car seat replacement after an accident? Car seats are typically covered by comprehensive or collision insurance policies, depending on the cause of the accident. But does insurance replace car seats?

If you only have liability insurance, you probably won’t be able to replace a car seat through your own policy. But you may still be able to have an insurance claim filed for compensation from the other driver’s insurer if that other driver was the one at fault in your accident. That can be useful if you need a car seat replacement after an accident.

Therefore, it’s always important to have the appropriate coverage to pay for damage to your car and replace your child’s seat. So consider purchasing full coverage if you want your car seats covered by insurance, and keep in mind the consequences of making a car seat insurance claim.

When To Get a Car Seat Replacement

What happens if a car seat is in an accident? Are car seats good after an accident? Ensuring that your child’s car seat is safe and functional is critical after a car crash. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) strongly advises replacing car seats following most moderate crashes and all severe accidents.

A minor car crash is defined by the following:

• You can drive the car away from the crash site.
• The door nearest the car seat was not damaged.
• None of the passengers were injured.
• If the vehicle has air bags, they did not deploy.

In a minor crash, the NHTSA recommends that you inspect the car seat for any signs of damage and contact the manufacturer for guidance on whether you need to replace the seat.

However, where you live might impact what you have to do with a car seat after an accident. You may need to ask questions like can you use a car seat after an accident in Michigan? You can also compare the car seat accident replacement law in California as well as the replacement car seat law in Ohio or car seat laws in Idaho.

Remember, your child’s safety is always worth taking extra precautions.

How to Get a Car Seat Reimbursement After a Car Accident

Do insurance companies replace car seats? Well, the process for changing car seats varies, but the basic procedures for claiming car seats on insurance are fairly straightforward. If you have a car seat in an accident, insurance will want to verify the situation.

Find Your Receipt

Insurance companies reimburse you for the car seat you own, not for a new purchase. Before upgrading your car seat to the most expensive model, note that the reimbursement will be for the amount paid on the original receipt or your original car seat. So make sure that you find your original car seat receipt, and keep that in mind when you’re looking at an expensive car seat receipt.

Also, insurance companies are unlikely to reimburse you for an expired car seat, so check your expiration date. 

Take Photographs 

Your insurance company may want pictures of your car seat after the accident to document any damage. Be sure to include the car seat’s serial number and expiration date. These are typically found on the car seat underneath the lining. 

However, different companies might have slightly different processes. For example, the Geico car seat reimbursement process may include other steps than say the USAA car seat replacement policy.

So if you’re insured with State Farm, for instance, you might ask, does State Farm replace car seats after an accident? Verify the State Farm car seat replacement after an accident process, and then probably you would send the receipt and photos to your agent or adjuster and your State Farm car seat replacement claim should be processed with no issues.

But remember that other companies, such as the Progressive car seat replacement process or the Allstate car seat replacement process might be different. Always check with your insurance provider so you understand the steps.

State Laws Mandating the Use of Car Seats

Most states have laws mandating that children ride in car seats until they’re old enough to use an adult seat belt. Children under the age of 13 should also ride in the car’s back seat with properly fastened seat belts. You can easily look up specific states like Idaho car seat laws, Alaska child car seat laws, or car seat requirements in Kansas.

Even if you’re waiting for your auto insurance company to cover the cost of a replacement car seat, you should install a new one in the meantime. It’s unsafe, and illegal, to drive even a short distance without the appropriate car seat.

If you don’t have a child safety seat, you risk receiving an expensive and inconvenient ticket from a police officer. The fines for child car seat infractions continue to increase with each new instance.

Auto Insurance Coverage for Car Seats

It is illegal to transport a child without the proper car seat in most states. If your car is involved in an accident, you may need to replace your child’s seat, even if no there’s no obvious damage. But most drivers may need to know, does insurance cover car seat replacement? Or can you buy a brand new car seat with insurance.

Comprehensive and collision coverage typically cover car seats. If another driver is responsible for the accident, their liability insurance may cover the cost of replacing your car seat, and that may act as a kind of car seat replacement insurance if you need a car seat reimbursement after a car accident.

Make sure to follow all instructions carefully when installing a new car seat so you can ensure your child is safe on the road. And if you are still wondering whether insurance covers car seats or are insurance companies required to replace car seats, you can contact your insurance provider to find out specifics.

Don’t worry about if there’s protection for your car seats through insurance. Be sure to enter your zip code below now to find car insurance rates that work with your budget!