Jump in child car seat cover as insurers recognise demand

Almost half of all car insurance policies now provide specific cover for child car seats, compared to just 3% in 2004, according to latest data from independent financial research company Defaqto.

47% of standard comprehensive car insurance policies now include this cover, although the details vary from insurer to insurer. Some policies offer a nominal sum to replace the seat, while others replace it irrespective of whether any damage has been caused.

Mike Powell, Defaqto's Insight Analyst for General Insurance, said: "On 18 September 2006, the law changed to state that all children under the age of 12 must use a child car seat when they are a passenger in a car. An obvious need arose for cover to be provided for fitted and booster car seats. Some insurers were already ahead of the game and had added cover to their policies."

A checklist for parents to consider when choosing car insurance should include:

Does your policy cover child car seat replacement as standard?

Does your insurer provide a replacement seat or do you receive a cash sum?

Is the cash sum enough to cover the cost of an equivalent seat?

Can the seat be replaced following an accident even if there is no visible damage?

Does your policy cover the replacement of more than one seat? If so, is there a limit to how many?