Did you know that car seats can expire after a certain period of time? If you’re not sure if your car seat is still valid, you can check the manufacturer’s website or look for a notification from your insurance company. However, if you find out your car seat has expired, what should you do?
What is an Expired Car Seat?
If your car seat is more than six years old, it’s most likely expired and no longer meeting current safety standards. This means the car seat may not be able to protect your child in a crash, and you may be required to replace it with a new one. In some cases, insurance companies may still cover the purchase of a new car seat, but it’s always important to check with your policy to ensure that’s the case.
Types of Expired Car Seats
There are a few different types of expired car seats and each has its own set of rules when it comes to whether or not insurance will cover the seat. The following are the most common types of expired car seats and their respective coverages:
infant safety seats – These seats are typically covered by insurance if they are installed in a vehicle before the manufacturer’s expiration date. However, many states have laws that extend the coverage for these seats even after the manufacturer’s expiration date.
convertible car seats – These seats can be used in either a rear-facing or forward-facing position, but they only have one manufacture’s expiration date. Most insurance companies will not cover a convertible car seat after its expiration date, regardless of how long it has been used.
booster seats – Booster seats are not typically covered by insurance, but this may change depending on the state in which you live. Some states do have laws that extend the coverage for booster seats beyond their original expiration date.
If you have an infant safety seat or convertible car seat that has expired, it is important to contact your insurance company to find out if it is covered and under what conditions.
What to do if Your Car Seat is Expired
If you have a car seat that is expired, your insurance may not cover it. If the car seat is less than six years old, your insurance may still cover it. However, if the car seat is older than six years, your insurance company may not cover it at all.
What to Do If You Can’t Find Your Expired Car Seat
If you’re like most parents, you’ll have at least one car seat that’s expired. Even if your car doesn’t have a manual seat belt, your car seat should still be up-to-date. If it isn’t, your insurance may not cover you in the event of an accident.
Here are four things to do if you find yourself with an expired car seat:
1. Immediately call your insurance company and report the expired car seat. This will help ensure that you’re fully protected in the event of an accident.
2. Store the expired car seat at a friend’s house or in a safe place until you can take it to be replaced.
3. Replace the expired car seat as soon as possible. Replacing an expired car seat will help ensure that you’re fully protected in the event of an accident.
4. Make sure that all of your car seats are current and up-to-date – even if they don’t have manual belts!
Conclusion
When it comes to car seats, everyone’s needs and opinions are different. That said, there are a few things that most people can agree on: car seats should be used until the child outgrows them, and they should always be properly installed in a vehicle. One question that often comes up is whether or not insurance will cover an expired car seat. The short answer is that this usually depends on the age of the seat and the make and model of the vehicle. If you have any questions about your specific situation, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your insurer.