According to the Department for Transport (DfT), there were 4.1 million licensed vans on UK roads in 2019. This number continues with Great Britain’s van keepers in 2019-20 revealing the most common primary usage was for ‘carrying equipment, tools, and materials (54%). This was followed by the ‘delivery/collection of goods’ (16%) and ‘private/domestic non-business use’ (16%). Whether you rent a pickup truck or bought it outright, you need to ensure your pickup truck is insured correctly.
What’s Considered A Pickup Truck?
A pickup truck is a type of vehicle that typically has an enclosed cab and an open bed in the back, which can be used for transporting goods or equipment. Pickup trucks that have a double cab with two rows of seats are ideal for carrying passengers and cargo making them very versatile. For instance, the Ford Ranger Wildtrak has front heated seats and then three rear seats with height-adjustable head restraints and centre armrest.
Pickup trucks are often classified as light-duty or heavy-duty, depending on the vehicle’s payload and towing capacity. Light-duty pickup trucks are typically designed for personal use and have a lower payload capacity. They are usually smaller and more fuel-efficient than heavy-duty pickups and are often used for everyday tasks such as moving small items. Heavy-duty pickup trucks are designed for more demanding tasks such as towing large trailers or hauling heavy loads. They are typically larger and more powerful than light-duty pickups. They also tend to have more advanced features such as a stronger frame and suspension, larger brakes, and more robust engines.
Some vehicles that look like pickup trucks, but are classified as SUVs or vans, may not be considered pickup trucks for insurance or registration purposes. One of the easiest ways to check your vehicle category is to check the vehicle category section on the logbook. It’s a van if it’s classed as N1 or N2.
Pickups can also have tax advantages over cars and SUVs when used as company cars, making them increasingly popular. You can read about this further here; however, any doubts should be checked with your insurance provider.
What Is Pickup Insurance?
Pick-ups are classed as commercial vehicles, so they’re usually covered by van insurance. It may include liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage as well as coverage for towing and hauling equipment. However, the type of insurance you need will depend on its use. It is important to compare and review your specific policy and talk to your insurance provider to understand the exact coverage you need.
Do I Need Pickup Insurance?
Whether you need pickup insurance depends on a variety of factors, including how you plan to use the pickup, and whether you own or lease the vehicle. Pickups like the Ford Ranger Wildtrak are often used as commercial vehicles, although they’re becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to a family SUV. When comparing insurance providers, it is important to state whether you use it for business, leisure, or everyday domestic use. If you are leasing or financing the pickup, the leasing company may also require you to have a certain level of insurance coverage.