A Christian motorist is considering taking legal action after he was told that his car insurance could not continue unless he removed handmade “Jesus Loves You” stickers from his vehicle.
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.
The stickers, displayed on the side of Mr Chandra’s car, read: “Jesus Loves You.”
Mr Chandra says he had contacted the insurer in advance because he wanted to be open and transparent.
In correspondence with GoSkippy, he said he had explained that the stickers were not for business use but were simply intended “to spread a positive message that Jesus loves you.”
He says he was initially told that the stickers were permitted if photographs were sent to the insurer but was then later informed that the policy could not continue unless the stickers were removed.
Mr Chandra’s emails seeking clarification have gone unanswered and his story brings into question whether Christian stickers are banned by insurance companies, but not other messages and causes.
The case is reminiscent of Reverend Wena Parry, who was warned in 2015 that religious graphics on her car, including the words ‘Christ For Me’, could invalidate her insurance policy, and electrician Colin Atkinson, who faced possible disciplinary action after displaying a palm cross in his company van.
Insurer demanded removal of stickers
The written exchange shows that Mr Chandra had contacted GoSkippy before and after placing the stickers on the car.
According to his account in correspondence, he was later told that he was allowed to proceed if he sent photographs of the stickers, which would then be added to his file.
However, GoSkippy subsequently emailed him stating:
“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.”
The correspondence left Mr Chandra uncertain about whether he was still insured and whether he was legally able to drive his car.
‘A positive Christian message’
The Christian Legal Centre is now supporting Mr Chandra as he considers his legal options following the ordeal.
The case raises issues under equality law, including whether a Christian customer has been treated unfavourably because of religious expression.
Every year during LGBTQI+ Pride month, the public routinely sees Progress Pride flags displayed on public buildings, businesses, streets and transport networks. Pride-branded trains have also been launched in the UK, including Avanti West Coast’s “Progress” train and TransPennine Express’s “Unity Train”, which was unveiled featuring the Pride Progress flag.
Yet in this case, a Christian man displaying a simple, peaceful message about the love of Jesus on his own private car was allegedly told that he could not be insured unless the message was removed.
The Christian Legal Centre says the incident exposes a troubling double standard: public endorsement of one set of beliefs and values is increasingly normalised, while ordinary Christian expression is treated as controversial, risky or unacceptable.
‘I only wanted to share that Jesus loves people’
Mr Chandra said:
“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.”
Simeon’s back story
Why would someone care so much about people knowing that Jesus loves them?
Raised in a family of Indian heritage, Simeon’s story of faith began before he was born. His mother came to know Jesus after a serious accident. Following the incident, she was invited to a church where she experienced healing in her injured leg, leading her to become a Christian.
His father had been raised as a Hindu but wrestled with the question of which god he should pray to. During his search for answers, he says that Jesus revealed Himself to him personally. As a result, he became a Christian, and together his parents dedicated their lives to Christian ministry as missionaries.
Growing up, Simeon embraced the Christian faith as a young boy. However, his childhood was marked by significant hardship. His father died while he was still young, and he and his brothers required intervention from the council’s children’s services.
He experienced periods of instability, while trying to navigate life without his biological family.
Despite eventually gaining a place at university, he continued to struggle internally. Having suffered from clinical depression for many years, he received help from child psychologists, adolescent counselling services and other sources of support.
He felt hopeless after being told by professionals that he should expect to be depressed for the whole of his life. Nothing seemed to bring lasting relief or happiness.
Everything changed during his time at university. Alone in his room one day, he knelt in prayer, thanking God and speaking to Jesus. What followed, he says, was a supernatural transformation.
He describes it as a complete change in his thinking. The depression that had weighed on him for years lifted, and he says he has not suffered from clinical depression since.
That encounter became a turning point in his life. He became deeply committed to his church and to living out his Christian faith. The transformation he experienced gave him a passion to help others discover the same hope, peace and joy he had found.
For Simeon, faith is about far more than the temporary concerns of this life. He is driven by a desire to see people come to know and love Jesus Christ, believing that faith in Him offers both purpose in this life and the promise of eternal life.
Example of Christian expression being pushed out of public life
Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, said:
“Stories like Simeon’s show why Christians are compelled to live out their faith publicly. Having experienced profound transformation through Jesus, from despair to hope, and from brokenness to purpose, he is not ashamed to share what he believes. For Simeon, speaking about his faith is not about imposing beliefs on others, but about helping others discover the same faith, hope and love that have changed his life.”
“This case is not about a technical vehicle modification. It is about whether ordinary Christians are free to express their faith in public without being excluded from essential services.
“A sticker saying ‘Jesus Loves You’ is not comparable to a commercial advert, a political campaign or an offensive slogan. It is a peaceful statement of Christian belief.
“If insurers can refuse cover because a customer displays a Christian message, that should alarm everyone who cares about freedom of religion and freedom of expression.”