Sainsbury’s Bank warns of unsafe child car seats

It is now a legal requirement that any child who is under 135cm tall (about 4ft 5ins) must be restrained in an appropriate car seat or booster, but Sainsbury’s Bank warns that many child car seats may not be working properly and could be harbouring hidden faults.
The bank, which is one of only a few car insurance providers to offer new for old replacement of child car seats after an accident as a standard feature of its comprehensive policy, is concerned that the purchase of second hand child car seats is unsafe because it is impossible to know if they are safe or whether they have been damaged in an accident.

Richard Clark, car insurance manager, Sainsbury’s Bank said: “Our research found that during May this year alone, over one million (4%) of motorists admitted to driving with a young child (under the age of seven) in their car who was not in a child car seat. We urge motorists to abide by the new law and always ensure that if they have small children in their cars, they are in the appropriate seating. If they are small children, this will mean a child car seat.

"Our warning is to parents who may be using a seat that has been handed down or those who have purchased a second hand car seat. If using a hand-me-down, parents should ensure they know the seat's history and never use it if it has been previously involved in a collision. We strongly advise against purchasing second hand seats as it's impossible to know their history.

"Child car seats involved in accidents may look fine but there is a chance that they could be harbouring hidden faults, even a small collision can put a seat under strain. That is why we offer a new for old replacement after an accident on all comprehensive policies, and advise against the purchase of second hand child car seats.”

Sainsbury’s Car Insurance offers competitive premiums and could save motorists up to £126. In addition to offering competitive car insurance premiums Sainsbury’s Car Insurance also offers motorists an extensive range of cover and benefits. This includes a courtesy car when using one of Sainsbury's Car Insurance’s recommended repairers (comprehensive cover only) and a no claim discount of 70% if you have not made a claim in the past five years, rising to 75% after a further five years’ claims free driving. It is also one of only a few providers to offer new-for-old replacement child car seats after an accident as a standard feature of its comprehensive policy, even when there is no perceived damage, and support and compensation if you’re a victim of car jacking or road rage.