Hellobee Boards

Technically? No you shouldn't use the seats again until you have new ones. Realistically? Yeah I'd imagine you could get by for a few days until you replace them. Of course there is risk but like has been brought up in other threads, life is full of risk; you just have to decide what amount you are willing to take.
As far as convincing your DH, I'd say your seat manufacturer makes it pretty clear. I'd buy new ones and save the receipts so you can pass along to insurance should they decide to reimburse you. That process might take longer than you are willing to wait.
If you decide to use them for a few days, id physically inspect them myself (take covers off and look at foam) and recheck installs.

If your manual says to replace after any crash, I wouldn't use them again. Like @catgirl: said, the force put on the seat can cause unseen damage. I just wouldn't risk it.

I'd replace, no question.

eta: I have enough seats that I could technically shuffle them from one of the 4 cars that they're in so we'd be able to wait for a replacement from insurance, but given the fact that I could get a seat for $50 from Walmart, I would just do that.

Yeah I would replace but I wouldn't have a problem using them for short rides for a couple days until I could get new ones.

I get it that the manuals say ALWAYS replace, but personally I feel like there's a point where that becomes ridiculous. It seems natural that would be the manufacturer POV because A) they want to sell more seats, and B) they don't want even the slightest chance of liability. Seat manufacturers are starting to give on this as well, Britax and Diono notably have made allowances for not always replacing the seats.

I was rear ended going 5 MPH in gridlock traffic with an empty seat in my car. There was a dent in my bumper that needed to be repaired, but I felt comfortable not replacing the seat.

We were in a more significant crash (sideswiped by an SUV, side door and front panel damaged, side window crashed into, side mirror fell off) and the fire fighters that came to the scene actually said that we'd probably be fine with our current car seats based on the speed and where our car was hit. That said, we did replace our carseats because the insurance company paid for it (and our state law recommends it).

I would absolutely replace them.

This is tough! I know the best course is just to replace to have peace of mind; and I would gladly if insurance covers. But if they don't... It'd be a tough call if it happened to me today as one of our carseat is brand new!

@Mrs. Lion: I know it can be a real pita (been there done that), but I would definitely replace. My personal policy is that unless it's an innocuous door ding from a neighboring car in a parking lot, the seats are getting replaced. My minor accident produced damage so minor you really had to look for it. We still replaced. Physics/energy is, in the words of Maui, straight up pooky dooks--there is no way to know for sure where the energy/force was transferred (i.e., if/how the seat (or any component thereof) was compromised).

I also agree with others who have said that you're probably okay with limited use for a day or two.

Eta: As an aside, keep in mind there could be insurance coverage issues (for future claims) if you don't replace the seats and are in a subsequent accident.

I'd replace because 1) if you got into another accident and something happened because the seats were compromised, you'd never forgive yourself, 2) your blog posts say you live in the DMV, ie the land of crazy drivers. There is an increased risk of getting into an accident because people from all over the country drive here with their local driving norms and expect others to follow them. There's an increased risk of accidents, and 3) you are considering fostering and were talking about a home study. I could imagine you taking that risk would be viewed as a red flag.

I'd get a cheap replacement for peace of mind

@Mrs. Lion: District/Maryland,/Virginia? We use it for the greater DC area.

I voted that I would probably be comfortable for just using them for the next couple of days while you get replacements. But I think that there are also actual specific guidelines that are out there, like whether or not the airbags have been deployed, Etc. You might be able to get some information on car seat for the littles or the other Facebook group, can't remember the name? I know passions Run High there but I have seen some infographics about guidelines for car crashes and car seats.

I voted to keep using them ... but looking at the damage on your car, I would say to replace.

I was in an accident recently and was told my insurance wouldn't cover replacement since it was minor. They did say if it was a situation where they would replace it would have to be the exact same model and I would need to provide the receipt from when I originally purchased them. Also they would have to take the seats from me immediately before I could even file a claim for them.

I think I would replace but I would just try to stay off the freeways in the meantime, and use them little as possible. I wouldn't skip work or whatever because you can't drive to daycare though. Jmo.

The NHTSA says you DO NOT need to replace the car seat after an accident if the following conditions are met:
- The vehicle was able to be driven away from the crash site;
- The vehicle door nearest the safety seat was undamaged;
- There were no injuries to any of the vehicle occupants;
- The air bags (if present) did not deploy; AND
- There is no visible damage to the safety seat

@Mrs. Lion: Glad to hear that your insurance was easy to deal with. In case any one else is looking at this thread as a reference, I also found the car seat reimbursement process pretty painless with Allstate after a recent accident, and they got me the money FAST.

Someone ran a red light and totaled my car about a month ago, but I still found it really difficult to cut the straps on what seemed like a totally functional car seat. It felt so wasteful! But with pictures of the disabled seat and the serial number, Allstate sent me the full retail price of a replacement seat (which I would never pay, so it actually worked out great for me ).