Isofix bases and accidents?

[Ephraim]

I've looked all over t'interwebs to try and find the answer to this to no avail. All I've managed to find is some mumsnet speculation, but nothing concrete.

A couple of months ago my RX-8 was rear ended whilst stationary at traffic lights. The other car was doing between 30 and 40 mph. My daughter was in her recaro child seat on its isofix base and it kept her safe throughout. Now I know that I need to replace the seat. But what I'm not sure about is the isofix base.

Anyone got any idea?

[y2blade]

Boobles will be along as shortly, he's your man.

Personally I would replace it along with the seat.
I'm glad your Daughter was uninjured.

[hornetrider]

I'd say the base needs to be replaced too. More so than the seat.

At least, that's how I see it, seeing how they work.

[LouD86]

Yup, Base is more to structure and safety than the seat, so need to replace that aswell im affraid. Insurance should cover the loss

[Ephraim]

Insurance say that it's an uninsured loss and are encouraging me to claim for it via a no win no fee lawyer.

I figured that it would need replacing, and they aren't exactly expensive in the general scheme of things. But it seems entirely undamaged so I thought it worth investigating.

[Urban Sports]

hornetrider said:

I'd say the base needs to be replaced too. More so than the seat.

At least, that's how I see it, seeing how they work.

Yes this is what I'd do, not cheap but very precious cargo!

[eltax91]

Interesting approach from the insurer. When my SiL had a non fault bang with the nipper in the car, the 3rd party insurer said 'we don't take chances with baby seats, replace it like for like and send us the receipt'. They included it in the payout

[Trif]

Ephraim said:

Insurance say that it's an uninsured loss and are encouraging me to claim for it via a no win no fee lawyer.

Is that what your insurer says or the one you are claiming from?

[Ephraim]

Trif said:

Is that what your insurer says or the one you are claiming from?

My insurer. They were handling the total loss section of the claim, but because I'd declined their legal cover add-on they refuse to have anything to do with any of the rest of it. Instead they pointed me to the no-win no-fee people to deal with the child seat and injuries. They did say that they'd pay out £100 uninsured loss payment if I wanted, but given that the child seat and base were about £250 worth, I turned down their offer.

[oldcynic]

For that speed of impact I'd get the base replaced as well. Assuming you don't trust the accident-damaged seat cut off the straps before taking it to the dump or it'll be on ebay next week. (But hang on to the cover as a spare for the repacement seat!)

[boobles]

For peace of mind, replace it. They are designed to protect your child once & it's done that.
There could be internal damage to the base & very small fractures to the plastic that you may not see with the naked eye. Really glad she was ok & good luck.

[Ephraim]

Thanks all. I shall replace the lot.

I'd really like an isofix seat again, but my daughter is on the cusp of outgrowing the size 1 seats. Not been able to find a 1,2,3 seat with isofix. Anyone know of any?

[bungle]

Off the top of my head i think ours is britax ferofix for our 5 yr old.

[PanzerCommander]

Go with the no win no fee shysters; claim for the seat and the increase on your insurance over the next few years. But what ever you do, as everybody was uninjured don't let them push you into an injury claim would be my advice

[boobles]

bungle said:

Off the top of my head i think ours is britax ferofix for our 5 yr old.

It's a Maxi Cosi FeroFix.

[bungle]

boobles said:

It's a Maxi Cosi FeroFix.

oops, thats the one!

[Ephraim]

Fantastic. I shall look into that one. Thanks for all the help chaps.

PS Boobles: COYR!

[Dr_Rick]

We got a Jane (pronounciation varies as its a Spanish firm with French links) Isofix base and have changed the connecting seat with size of child. Originally had a Strata base and a seat to go with http://www.johnstonprams.co.uk.

There are some other ones on that set of pages that do higher Group levels. Some are multi-Group. I had a look at a Group 1/2/3 seat that did Isofix but wasn't impressed at the level of padding at the Group 1 end; looked a little sparse. So I've got a 'cheaper' (still expensive, but worth it) Group 1 seat, and will go up later when little-un gets big enough.

Incidentally, we have two seat in two cars, one Isofix and one belt-tethered. They both seem to be firmly secured so don't completely discount the belted versions. Personally, I'd go Isofix, but the belted version it secure enough for me.

Dr Rick

[boobles]

Ephraim said:

Fantastic. I shall look into that one. Thanks for all the help chaps.

PS Boobles: COYR!