Driver Denied Car Insurance Over “Jesus Loves You” Stickers

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A driver has been denied car insurance because he put “Jesus loves you” stickers on his car, and is now planning legal action against his insurer, GoSkippy. The Telegraph has the story.

Simeon Chandra was told his insurer had “declined the modification” and needed photographic evidence that they had been removed.

Photographs show the 35 year-old’s 2009 Nissan Pixo with the words “Jesus loves you” on one side, and “Jesus loves you v much” on the other.

But after sending his insurer, GoSkippy, pictures of the modifications, he was warned the policy would be voided unless they were removed.

Chandra is now working with lawyers at the Christian Legal Centre to decide whether to take legal action.

Describing feeling “shocked, surprised and upset” when he was told to take the stickers off, he claimed his rights to freedom of religion and expression were breached.

Chandra said: “The message on my car is very simple: ‘Jesus loves you.’ It is not abusive, political, hateful or commercial. It is a message of hope.

“I could not understand why this would mean I could not have car insurance. We see all kinds of messages, flags and slogans in public life. But when a Christian puts a peaceful message on his own car, suddenly it appears to become a problem.

“I want answers from GoSkippy as they have not responded to my emails.

“I want to be able to put the stickers back on and for other Christians to know they can do this without being ashamed. If they insist on banning these stickers, then all other stickers on cars should also be banned.”

GoSkippy did not provide him with a reason for the decision.

Worth reading in full.

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22 Comments
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myk
myk
1 month ago

I have a bumper sticker that says ‘I love CO2’. No problem from the insurance.

GunnerBill
GunnerBill
1 month ago

On reflection I think this is a complete non-story.

I doubt the company or that is to say “an actual person” was anywhere near this application…

As someone pointed out below there are questions in the online application process about whether the car has been modified.

The individual ticked yes, put some descriptive words into another box and the algorithm rejected the application simply because it doesn’t fit the GoSkippy model for that type of insurance.

Simple.

No story there at all.

Whomakesthisstuffup
Whomakesthisstuffup
1 month ago

I think the tape might be holding the car together, or he spent more on it than the cars worth!

JXB
JXB
1 month ago

I hadn’t realised there is only one motor insurer in the UK.

In any case his did GoSkippy know there were stickers on the car unless the motorist told them, but why would they do that?

I expect there is more to this than we are being told.

Matt Dalby
Matt Dalby
1 month ago

Presumably the people who respond to emails from customers are they same people who work in the company’s call centre. Based on my experience of call centres and the very strong accent a lot of the staff have I bet it was a Muslim who cancelled the policy.

If Mr Chandra wins his legal action will the person who cancelled the policy face disciplinary action? If they’re a Muslim we all know the answer.

marebobowl
marebobowl
1 month ago

Why is this even an article in the daily sceptic? Find another insurer there are many.

T. Prince
T. Prince
1 month ago
Reply to  marebobowl

No, this crap needs highlighting then we can all find another insurer. Go woke go broke

Richard
Richard
1 month ago

That is ridiculous! Firstly I’ve never heard of anyone even thinking of telling their insurance company about putting a sticker on their car. And why would you? How does a sticker modify a car’s ability to perform differently to the manufacturers specification. So signwrighting of cars vans and lorries affects the insurance? Must be April fool’s day. Clearly stuff and nonsense. 😂

stillonlplates
stillonlplates
1 month ago

This man should apply for insurance to Ecclesiastical Life Limited.
They’d have less excuse to object, but the name suggests they might not do ‘motor insurance’.
Then again, St Andrews Insurance might yield more sympathy.

stillonlplates
stillonlplates
1 month ago

“A driver … is now planning legal action against his insurer, GoSkippy.”
This will surely take place in a kangaroo court?

BedfordRL
BedfordRL
1 month ago
Reply to  stillonlplates

Groan..

RTSC
RTSC
1 month ago

Now let’s imagine cars plastered with Allahu Akbar.

I wonder if GoSkippy would be so quick to reject insurance?

GunnerBill
GunnerBill
1 month ago

Two issues:

1) Would the same result happen if the stickers referred to islam?

2) Let’s face it, if you cover your car with daft religious slogans it is probably more likely to get vandalised. This is about risk not freedom of speech. However see 1),above.

AnneCW
AnneCW
1 month ago
Reply to  GunnerBill

Exactly. I came here to post the same thing.

Sceptical Steve
Sceptical Steve
1 month ago
Reply to  GunnerBill

… and 3) Why did he feel it necessary to inform his insurers in the first place? I sense that he was just trying to provoke a reaction.

stillonlplates
stillonlplates
1 month ago

Unless they saw (and photographed) the car, on can only assume that the driver supplied the information in response to ‘have you altered the car from what the manufacturer produced?’
I’m left wondering if this was an exercise to produce a result that could be the basis of a legal claim.

stillonlplates
stillonlplates
1 month ago
Reply to  GunnerBill

Are they ‘stickers’ or is is just plastic tape? And, why did he switch to green, instead of buying another roll of orange? Looks like a rush job to me.

Peter W
Peter W
1 month ago
Reply to  stillonlplates

Just electrical insulation tape!
DS has been scammed!

happycake78
happycake78
1 month ago

Are they worried about potential insurance claims from other faiths, that might damage the car??

Marcus Aurelius knew
Marcus Aurelius knew
1 month ago
Reply to  happycake78

Ah you mean the Seventh Day Adventists? Well-known for their violent acts 😜

GasBoy75
GasBoy75
1 month ago
Reply to  happycake78

Looks to me like someone’s already damaged the car. A few more bumps and scratches won’t make much difference.
Mr Chandra, “from” Birmingham, is just having a bit of a laugh..I hope.

Jack the dog
Jack the dog
1 month ago

Patriots must now boycott GoSkippy.

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