Can Christmas Lights Affect Insurance?

Christmas lights instantly make things feel festive. But what many people do not realise is they can also increase risk, whether they are on your home or your car.

From electrical faults and fire hazards to accidentally breaching policy terms, it is worth thinking beyond the sparkle before you decorate. So, how could Christmas lights affect your insurance policy and your right to claim if the worst happens?

Let’s dive into what you need to know about your festive decorations and your insurance.

How can Christmas lights affect my car insurance?

Decorating a vehicle with Christmas lights is not just a style choice. It can change how other road users see you, how distracting your vehicle may be, and whether your car is considered modified.

From an insurance point of view, modifications can affect your cover. There are plenty of modified car insurance policies available. Though, if your customisations break the law or breach your policy terms and conditions, you could risk invalidating your insurance.

Is it legal to drive around with Christmas lights on your car?

It can be, but it is easy to accidentally breach the rules. Section 40A of the Road Traffic Act 1988 makes it an offence to use a vehicle on a road when the condition of the vehicle, or its accessories or equipment, involves a danger of injury to any person. 

So with that in mind, where do your Christmas lights come into this? The answer might surprise you. The most common pitfalls are lights showing the wrong colours in the wrong direction, lights set to flashing modes, or decorations that make the vehicle unsafe.

There are clear legal limits on which colours can be shown in certain directions. For example, the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 state that no vehicle shall be fitted with a lamp capable of showing a red light to the front, with limited exceptions. 

The same regulations also restrict what lights can be shown to the rear beyond permitted cases. You also cannot use flashing lights, as the same regulations say that no vehicle shall be fitted with a lamp which automatically emits a flashing light as it can be distracting. 

Essentially, the golden rule is: if your lights are likely to distract someone enough to cause an accident, then do not decorate your car with them. If being a grinch prioritises your and someone else’s safety, embrace it. 

Do you have to tell insurance about LED lights?

If LEDs are added to the vehicle, particularly if they are fitted externally, hard-wired, or more than a temporary interior decoration, it is sensible to treat them as a modification and disclose them to your insurer.

Problems often arise where changes are not shared with an insurer. Even if it seems minor, it is usually safer to err on the side of caution. 

The worst-case scenario by declaring something minor? Your insurer compliments your decor. Best case scenario? They explain why you should not apply this modification, saving you time and money long term. 

Can I fit blue lights or anything that looks like emergency lighting?

Avoid anything that could resemble emergency lighting. The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations restrict fitting blue warning beacons or special warning lamps to vehicles other than emergency vehicles. 

These restrictions can also extend to devices that resemble them, whether working or not.

How can Christmas lights affect my home insurance?

With home insurance, festive lights tend to raise two main issues. The first is electrical safety and fire risk. The second is assuming your policy includes extras that may not be automatic.

Cover varies by insurer and by policy type, so it is always worth checking your documents. As a general guide, buildings and contents insurance typically covers damage or loss caused by events including fire, storm, flood, theft and malicious damage, with the exact cover and limits set out in your policy wording.

Will home insurance cover a fire caused by Christmas lights?

Fire is commonly covered by buildings and contents insurance, but the outcome will always depend on your policy wording and the circumstances.

To reduce the risk, check your lights for damage before use, including worn cables, loose plugs, and broken casings. 

For outdoor lights, make sure they are designed for outdoor use and connected safely to an appropriate socket without overloading extension leads. For many outdoor decorations, a 30mA RCD protected socket is a sensible safety measure.

Finally, always remember to switch your Christmas lights off and unplug them before you go to bed or go out for an extended period. 

Is accidental damage automatically included if decorations break something?

Accidental damage is often an optional add-on for contents insurance. It is designed for everyday mishaps like breakages and spillages, but outcomes can vary where an insurer believes reasonable care was not taken. 

If you are not sure whether you have accidental damage cover, it is worth checking your policy documents. Unsure of how to read your policy schedule and booklet? Read our guide: How Do You Read & Understand An Insurance Policy?

Insurance at One Sure

If you want to sense check your cover before the festive rush or renew your policy in the new year, One Sure can help you compare options across car and home insurance. We can even find you specialist policies from mature drivers insurance to classic car cover and insurance policies for high networth homes or homes with subsidence.

Get a quote online or why not call us to speak to our insurance experts? Call 0800 078 7690 to get the ball rolling and find your cover.