Car Insurance

Parents are being urged to check their child's car seat after an accident and replace it if necessary. Parents are putting their children at risk by not checking their car seats after an accident, new research from Norwich Union suggests. The statistics show that a child's car seat is the last thing drivers' check after an accident, with people twice as likely (92 per cent) to check their lights after a collision than their child's car seat (46 per cent). The insurer is now urging motorists to be more aware of the need to protect their child in the event of future accidents. To help with the campaign Norwich Union has teamed

up with fitting specialist Halfords, to offer motor insurance policyholders replacement child seat cover of up to ?100 in the event of a collision or for incidents of fire or theft. Around 50 per cent of all parents say they would not change their child's car seat after an accident despite the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) saying the seat may have been weakened to such an extent it could not protect to the maximum level in another incident. Kevin Clinton, head of road safety at RoSPA said: "Parents should replace child car seats if the seat has already prevented a child from being injured. A child car seat may look safe but depending on its history, it may offer little or no protection. "If parents are in any doubt, they should buy a new seat and also make sure that it is compatible with their car and fitted correctly. We support Norwich Union's decision to replace child car seats after a collision." Norwich Union's car policy also includes free advice on choosing the right car seat and a free fitting service.