Motor insurance claim,are car seats covered?

BlueLass

Hi all,hope this is the right forum for my question. My friends car was rear ended and the other party has admitted full liability so no problems there. Their insurance is providing a replacement car and going to assess the damaged car for possible repairs.

Now,this is her question, there are two child car seats in the car that was hit, one for a baby under 1 and the other for a toddler. It is recommended that car seats are replaced after any incident by the manufacturer in case the seats have been damaged. Will the other party's insurance cover that cost as they were at fault? Should she pursue it with them or just bite the cost herself?

Many thanks.

To Elland Back

If another party has caused an accident, all the natural costs that ensue from that have to be borne by them. If the accepted expertise from the manufacturer is that accident experienced seats need to be replaced, then that is a reasonable claim. You don't need to prove physical damage.

Don't accept no for an answer and if they try their luck, ask them for an indemnity in case your children suffer any injury in the future. That will soften their cough

BlueLass

To Elland Back wrote: »

If another party has caused an accident, all the natural costs that ensue from that have to be borne by them. If the accepted expertise from the manufacturer is that accident experienced seats need to be replaced, then that is a reasonable claim. You don't need to prove physical damage.

Don't accept no for an answer and if they try their luck, ask them for an indemnity in case your children suffer any injury in the future. That will soften their cough

Thank you very much for your reply. She has got the user manual for both seats and in both it recommends that any collision over 10km per hour may cause unseen damage and they should be replaced. Fingers crossed the insurance company will just pay up with no hassle. If however they reject the claim and refuse to offer an indemnity what or who should she approach for next step.?

P. Breathnach

I suspect that they will pay up with no great hassle - they have probably encountered this type of claim before.

If they refuse initially, I think she should contest it with them before considering other options. The manuals should be helpful in arguing her case. I presume that if she is the sort to hold on to manuals, she is also the sort who keeps receipts.

To Elland Back

As said above, they should sort it easily and without fuss. If they refuse, PM me and I'll give you the name of solicitors who specialise in representing people against insurers

RGS

There will be no issue with replacing the seats. The only stipulation will be that the old seats are disposed of or handed into the insurance company.

Insurers come across this type of loss regularly.

BlueLass

To Elland Back wrote: »

As said above, they should sort it easily and without fuss. If they refuse, PM me and I'll give you the name of solicitors who specialise in representing people against insurers

That is very kind of you, thank you. Hopefully we won't need to take you up on your offer!

BlueLass

Many thanks to all who replied, all advice is very much appreciated. The assessor was to examine the car today and she did make sure he was aware of the seats. He is to call her tomorrow with a report and she will take it from there.

BlueLass

Quick update, yes there was no problem at all, insurance told her to get the seats, submit invoice and she got cheque yesterday. She obviously had to get the same seats but that was no issue. Old seats were taken to recycling centre so all done and dusted. Thanks for the advice and input