A Christian motorist in the UK is considering suing his car insurer after they denied his claim to continue insuring his vehicle unless he removed a homemade “Jesus Loves You” sticker from it. According to Christian Concern:
In written correspondence, GoSkippy Insurance broker told Simeon Chandra, 35, that its underwriting department had “declined the modification done on the vehicle as per stickers added on the vehicle” and said that, for the policy to continue, the stickers had to be removed and a dated photograph sent once they had been taken off.
Chandra says he contacted GoSkippy about the stickers before he put them on and told them the stickers were not for business use, but rather were intended to spread a positive message that’Jesus loves you.’ While initially told the stickers were fine so long as he sent pictures of his car to the insurer, they later changed their mind, telling him in an email:
“Feedback from the Underwriting Department declined the modification done on the vehicle as per stickers added on the vehicle.
For the policy to continue and be insured we require the stickers to be removed from the vehicle and send a dated photograph once the stickers have been removed.”
Chandra has sought to get clarity from his company multiple times, but his queries have gone unanswered. As a result of the refusal to insure, Chandra is employing the Christian Legal Centre as he considers legal options. He said of the ordeal:
I was shocked, surprised and upset when they told me I had to take the stickers off. I had tried to do the right thing by telling the insurer about the stickers and sending photographs. 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 felt sad, and it felt that things are really against the Lord Jesus. I could have cried. I think people with other messages would not have faced the same situation.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.
