As the festive season approaches, many people across the globe are beginning to deck their homes with Christmas decorations.
Some Christmas enthusiasts even go as far as decorating their cars in anticipation of December 25th. One such individual is Laura-Ann, known as @allthatspretty on TikTok, who recently shared a video captioned “Is it time again?!”
In the clip, she can be seen embellishing her vehicle with an enormous wreath, tinsel, bows, and foliage. She humorously suggested her Land Rover Defender’s spare tyre at the back was there specifically for this purpose.
However, while car decoration may seem like harmless fun, experts from GAP insurance provider ALA Insurance issued a warning – although not illegal, they stressed “there are strict safety regulations that must be followed”.
The experts highlighted any decorations obstructing the driver’s view or distracting other road users could lead to severe penalties. For instance, obscuring your vision with lights or ornaments could result in a fine of up to £1,000 and three penalty points on your licence – which isn’t very Christmassy.
Moreover, unsecured decorations that fall off and pose hazards for other road users could lead to fines of up to £5,000 or even a court appearance.
Charlotte Adams of ALA’s Customer Support Team, warned: “Many drivers are unaware that festive decorations could be classified as vehicle modifications. If not disclosed to your insurer, this might invalidate your car insurance policy, leaving you vulnerable to significant financial risks in case of an accident.”
However, she did concede that car adornments can “bring festive cheer” and mentioned insurers aren’t looking to be overly “Scrooge-like”. For those wanting to “bring some sparkle to your vehicle”, she advised there are certain guidelines to heed.
It is paramount, according to her, that “all decorations are securely fastened” and to ensure “keep all views completely unobstructed, including all windows and windscreens”.
Moreover, when selecting trimmings, it’s crucial you “avoid lights, as they can be distracting for you, pedestrians, and other drivers”, and remember to “make sure you declare any decorations to your insurance provider to avoid any nasty surprises”.
Laura-Ann, in the comments section of her video, received a mix of reactions, with many highlighting their ‘love’ for it, while others queried how it doesn’t “come flying off on the motorway”. She clarified: “It’s wrapped around the spokes of the wheels, then it’s secured further with about 50 cable ties, so it’s not going anywhere, and I don’t actually turn the lights on when driving.”
One participant hailed it as the “best idea ever”, whereas another said they were going to have their husband adorn theirs similarly. Yet, a critic chipped in: “In Germany, we say: Straenverkehrsordnung”, a reference to road traffic regulations.