Drivers warned over 7 popular car accessories that could invalidate insurance

In the UK, car customisation is becoming increasingly popular, with rising demand for personalised number plates and vehicle stickers. Whilst trendy, vehicle modifications are also governed by legal regulations and insurance requirements that motorists must understand.

Motoring experts are now cautioning drivers that they may be unknowingly voiding their car insurance with everyday accessories.

From air fresheners to baby on board signs, drivers should be mindful of items that could affect their insurance claims.

New driver car insurance specialists at Zego stated: "Many of these popular accessories for your car pose not only an insurance risk but also could land you with hefty fines and points on your license.

"If it is deemed that your vision is obstructed, you could be given an on-the-spot fine of £100, which could increase to £1000 if taken to court, and you could be slapped with three points on your licence.

"So it is always important to seek guidance for car accessories before purchasing to avoid accidents, rejected insurance claims and penalties," reports Daily Record.

Frequently used to promote safer driving by other road users, 'baby on board' and similar signs like 'anxious driver' and 'elderly driver' could actually jeopardise your coverage.

Incorrectly placed safety signs can become a hazard by blocking the driver's view, and if they cause an accident, they could jeopardise a payout.

While fuzzy dice may be out of fashion for now, hanging items such as air fresheners, rosary beads and even dreamcatchers are often found in British drivers' cars.

If these accessories are large enough, they can obstruct vision, leading drivers to overlook pedestrians, cyclists and even road signs.

There is a common misunderstanding that car insurance cover doesn't concern itself with cosmetic modifications, as they don't alter the car's performance or safety.

However, even small stickers need to be declared as modifications, as they can affect how insurers evaluate risks.

For instance, if you have a business decal on your vehicle, it might suggest commercial use, which necessitates a different type of cover. For some, it also increases the risk of theft as there could be tools or equipment stored inside.

Football team pride runs deep in the UK, and with football car flags available for as little as 50p, the urge to show off your team can be irresistible. However, they come with the risk of a hefty £2,500 penalty.

The placement of flags matters; if they are insecure, they risk an immediate fine or court appearance, and if they block vision, they also carry fine risks.

They can even heighten the likelihood of vandalism and theft, all of which could necessitate a driver to make an insurance claim.

Dashboard trinkets ranging from bobbleheads to Jellycats often pose risks from insecure fixing, to vision obstructions or distractions, all of which could lead to an accident.

Other dashboard adornments, such as bedazzling dashboards, could worsen injury if airbags deploy.

From spare wheel covers, number plate decals, to battery-powered Christmas lights or mini Christmas trees, seasonal accessories frequently bring joy to drivers and pedestrians.

However, these decorations can cause distractions for yourself and other drivers, as well as pose fire hazards.

Although they may enhance visual impact or even comfort for the driver, decking out your car with covers, which is becoming an increasingly popular trend on TikTok, such as on the steering wheel, could result in up to 11 points on your licence.

If you lose control of your vehicle due to the cover, it could be deemed as dangerous driving, and if you need to claim, it may be rejected.