
What do insurers class as a pick up truck?
Insurers class a pick up truck as a light-duty truck with an open cargo area behind the cab. The sides of the cargo area are usually low, with a tailgate at the back.
For a truck to be classed as a pick up, it must also have an unladen weight, known as its ‘kerb weight’, of no more than 2,040kg.
There are 2 main kinds of pickup truck:
-
Single-cab pickups have 2 doors and 2 seats in the cab
-
Double-cab pickups have 4 doors and 5 seats in the cab
Popular models of pick up trucks include:
- Toyota Hilux
- Ford Ranger
- Volkswagen Amarok
- Isuzu D-Max
- SsangYong Musso
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What type of pick up insurance do I need?
The type of pick up insurance you need depends on how you plan on using your truck. This is known as its class of use.
There are 4 main classes of use to choose from:
- Social only
- Social and commuting
- Business
- Haulage
Social only is a type of private van insurance that covers you for your daily driving, whether that’s popping to the shops or going to see family or friends.
Social and commuting insurance covers you for commuting to a single place of work. If you drive your van to a bus or train station as part of your commute, this still counts as commuting. If you drive to multiple places of work, you likely need a type of business van insurance.
Business van insurance covers you if you use your van for business and need to transport things like tools or other work equipment.
Haulage covers you for the carriage of goods for hire and reward. You'll likely need this cover if you're a courier, delivery driver or are making long range deliveries.
How much is insurance for a pick up?
As pick ups need to be insured under a van policy, here are the average cost of van insurance, to give you an idea of what you're likely to pay. 1.
Social only
£426.77
Social & commuting
£466.71
Commercial
£492.77
Haulage
£1603.88
1Confused.com data. Median purchased premium price of all sales between Nov '22 and Feb '23
What you pay for your insurance is based on a range of factors that include:
- How much your pick up is worth
- How you plan to use it
- How many miles you plan to drive
-
Your driving history and no claims bonus
But there are a few ways to save on van insurance, like:
-
Choosing a pick up in a lower van insurance group
-
Adding extra security to your pick up
- Comparing quotes, as your renewal price might not be your best one
- Paying a higher excess
Can I get cover if my pick up truck is modified?
Yes, you can cover a modified pickup truck. But might cost you more to do so.
Just like with modified van insurance, any modifications you make that could raise your risk of a being in an accident are likely to lead to higher insurance costs. These can include:
-
Engine enhancements or anything that increases your pickup’s performance
-
Cosmetic modifications that make your pickup more of a target for thieves
This can be the case even if the modifications you make help you with your job. For example, equipment for a dog-grooming or catering business you install in the back.
But not all modifications raise your insurance costs. Things that increase your pickup’s safety or security often don't affect what you pay. These include things like:
- Extra alarms
- Installing additional locks
Types of van insurance
Commercial van insurance
protects your van and its cargo if you use your van for haulage or business use.
Temporary van insurance
gives you cheap, short-term cover from 1 to 28 days for social and business use.
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