• 2.8 million parents either purchased or were given a used second-hand car seat for child
• 18 per cent of parents who purchased a second-hand car seat were not aware of its history
• Six per cent of motoring casualties involving children in a vehicle result in serious injury or death
• 2.7 million parents don’t insist their child sits in a car seat when travelling

New research¹ from Churchill Car Insurance reveals 2.8 million² parents have purchased or been gifted a used second-hand car seat for their child, with a further 500,000 buying an unused but previously owned one. Advice³ and guidelines⁴ state to not use a second-hand car seat, and to never use one after it has been involved in a collision or suffered a knock. Research suggests that parents are perhaps unaware of this as 627,000 parents - 14 per cent of those who have used a second-hand car seat – have done so knowing it had been in an accident or suffered damage of some kind.

Furthermore, one in six parents (18 per cent) who purchased a second-hand car seat did not know its history at all, while over a third (35 per cent) did not get instructions on how to install it correctly when they bought it.

Although the second-hand figures are high, most parents do adhere to the recommendations as 19.4 million (57 per cent) did buy a brand-new car seat when preparing for their first child, with a further 2.4 million (seven per cent) receiving a brand-new car seat as a gift. When looking at parents of two or more children, 40 per cent (10.5 million) bought or were gifted new seats, while 36 per cent (9.3 million) used the same seat they had used for their first child.  

Despite the current law stating that children must use a car seat until they are either 135cm in height or 12 years old, further research⁵ revealed a quarter of parents with children in this scope (24 per cent) – some 2.7 million people – do not use one. 1.2 million parents (ten per cent) said this is because their child was too embarrassed to sit in a car seat, while 1.1million (ten per cent) don’t think it is necessary for their child. A further one in 10 parents – 1.1 million people – admit they don’t force their child to sit in a car seat because their child says it is uncomfortable.

While there is a divide when it comes to used and new car seats, analysis⁶ shows that parents are in agreement when it comes to driving styles with a child in the car. Road collision data suggests that motorists are more likely to drive safely when a young child is in the vehicle. In fact, statistics suggest that the younger the passenger is, the less likely the car is to be involved in a collision.

In 2018 there were a total of 4,205 car passengers aged nine or younger⁷ involved in vehicle collisions on UK roads. This accounts for just three per cent of all casualties over the course of the year. By comparison, children aged nine or younger account for 12 per cent of the population.

Children are also less likely to be seriously harmed in collisions as just six per cent of casualties to children result in severe injury or death, compared to 16 per cent of adults.  

 

Table one: Casualties in accident broken down by age group  

Source: Churchill Car Insurance 2020

Jane Morgan, Business Manager at Churchill Car Insurance, said: “We know the cost of raising children really adds up and that an offer of an expensive item such as a second-hand car seat, that looks brand new, is hard to turn down. However, the danger with a car seat is that you cannot be certain of its history as the damage isn’t always visible. After any knock, great or small, the structure will weaken and therefore will no longer be able to provide the level of protection it once did. Missing instruction booklets for any car seat could lead to them being fitted incorrectly, rendering them dangerous in the event of a crash.

“A new value car seat meeting all British Safety standards is safer than a top of the range second-hand car seat. When in doubt, don't borrow, buy, or sell a used car seat – it's just not worth the risk.”

If you have a child car seat fitted to your car at the time your vehicle is involved in an incident, Churchill Car Insurance offers a unique proposition⁸ for policy holders to replace or cover the cost of a new car seat.

                                                                        ENDS

Notes to Editor

¹            Research conducted by Opinium among a nationally representative sample of 1293 parents between 31^st January and 4^th February 2020

²            Of 1,293 parents, 107 said they had used a second-hand car seat (107/1293) *33,781,801 = 2,795,555

³            https://www.childcarseats.org.uk/choosing-using/second-hand-child-seats/

⁴            https://www.childcarseats.org.uk/choosing-using/replacing-a-child-seat-after-an-accident/

⁵            Research conducted by Opinium among nationally representative sample of 2,004 UK adults between 5^th and 8^th June 2020. Of this number, 505 were parents of a child under 13

⁶            Analysis of Department for Transport Road Safety Data, 2018, published 17 December 2019.

⁷            While new rules introduced in March 2017 stipulate that all children must travel in a car seat until either they reach 12 years of age or 135cm in height. Growth charts published by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health show that boys reach an average height (50^th percentile) of 135cm by nine years and four months and girls reach an average height (50^th percentile) of 135cm by nine years and six months. Therefore, for this analysis ‘children in car seats’ covers any individuals aged nine or younger.

⁸            If your car was ever in any kind of knock, Churchill will replace your child seat no problem. Comprehensive cover required. Proof of ownership needed for seats £250 or over. Underwritten by U K Insurance Limited.

For further information please contact:

Emma Cava 
PR Manager (Motor)
Direct Line Group

Tel: 01651 831 715
Email: [email protected]

Alannah Sims

Citigate Dewe Rogerson

[email protected]

0207 025 6563

Churchill

Founded in 1989, Churchill is now one of the UK's leading providers of general insurance, offering car, home, travel and pet insurance cover over the phone or on-line.

Churchill general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.  

Churchill and U K Insurance Limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.  

Customers can find out more about Churchill products or get a quote by calling 0300 200 300 or visiting www.churchill.com