PSA? carseat expiration (let's flog this topic)

[elocrates]

Okay, just to really wear this topic down. Our infant seat is about to expire soon. We'd like to wait for a sale on seats to get a new one but didn't want to drive with an expired seat if insurance wouldn't cover it, etc. while we are looking for a new one.

So I talked to our insurance company today. They said, "no, that is a myth that we don't cover the accident/ etc if the seat is expired." She did mention that if we were pulled over and the police officer noticed the expired seat we would likely get a ticket and a fine.

So perhaps the insurance deal with expired seats is a myth? Or just different with our insurance? Has anybody else actually called their insurance and asked about this?

(FWIW, we plan to get a new seat anyway, just for peace of mind in case, God forbid, anything ever did happen.)

[arch01]

I would be very hesitant to trust anything over the phone and not in writing. Then again, using an expired seat would not be something I would do, even if it cost me more to get a new seat.

[CloudBee]

I bet you could find a "sale price" for something you would like on Amazon.

[elocrates]

Dec 28, 2012 10:19:39 GMT -5 arch01 said:

I would be very hesitant to trust anything over the phone and not in writing. Then again, using an expired seat would not be something I would do, even if it cost me more to get a new seat.

Right. Which is why we are getting a new seat. I just thought it was interesting that insurance said something different than common lore amongst moms (and different than what I had always thought). And I was wondering if anyone else had heard the same.

The rational side of me says the seat is not magically less safe on February 1 than it is on January 31 when it expires based on the stamp, but the mom in me says "take no chances." We have plenty of time to get a seat before then anyway.

[anna7602]

DD has always outgrown seats way before they expire. Is this more of an issue with hand-me-down seats or people who have enough space to save car seats in the basement for their 2nd child? I honestly can't see myself facing this issue. We've given away both DD's infant seat and her convertible by now and would just re-purchase if we need them again in the future.

[elocrates]

Anna- You are exactly right. This is our 3rd child using this seat. The label on the seat says it was made at the end of 2007 and the manufacturer says to replace after 6 years (so end of 2013), but the date stamped in to the plastic says it expires the beginning of 2013. We are defaulting to the stamped date.