Brawny, powerful, and utilitarian, pickup trucks have an allure and capability that’s unique in the automotive market. But as practical as they may be, pickup trucks still require a mandatory cost each month: insurance. Finding out what you can expect to pay for insurance can help you budget for truck ownership or help you find the right truck if you’re still in the shopping phase.

For the average pickup truck insurance cost per month and tips on how to lower your rate, keep reading.

What’s the Average Pickup Truck Insurance Cost Per Month?

Whether you want to insure an old beater or a truck you’ll drive off the showroom floor, the average pickup truck insurance cost per month across the U.S. is $70 for liability and $148 for full coverage. However, your actual quote may vary. Car insurance companies use a variety of factors to determine your insurance rate, from details about the pickup truck you choose to your driving history and lifestyle.

Factors That Affect the Average Cost of Insurance Rates

Understanding how car insurers calculate car insurance rates can be helpful when you’re searching for new insurance. It can shed light on why car insurance quotes vary between companies, and it can also help you find ways to lower your rates. Some of the most common determinants of pickup truck insurance rates are:

• Geographic location/ZIP code
• Your age (for example, teens and younger drivers have less experience and are more expensive to insure)
• Whether you rent or own your home
• Marital status
• Credit score
• What you use your truck for (personal, commuting, or business)
• Your annual mileage
• The make, model, and year of the pickup truck (new truck vs. used truck)
• Driving history (speeding tickets, accidents, etc.)

So, a clean driving history can lower your rate while a low credit score may raise your rate. Before you shop for auto insurance, it might help to take stock of these characteristics so you can prepare for what you can expect to pay.

What Are Some of the Cheapest Pickup Trucks to Insure?

Although the model year has a profound effect on your pickup truck rates, several models cost less to insure than others. While you probably won’t use the cheapest insurance rate as a priority in your choice of truck, it’s a handy tie-breaker if you have two models you like equally. Here are a few of the top options to get the lowest average pickup truck insurance cost per month.

Note that the first price is for average liability coverage (minimum required by the state); the second price is for full coverage (incidentals and at-fault accidents).

Ford F-150: $71 to $142 per month

Upper trims of the Ford F-150 are among the most expensive trucks on the market. But interestingly, the iconic F-150 is also one of the cheapest trucks to insure. As the top-selling and most popular truck in the U.S. for over 40 years, F-150s are everywhere. That’s great news for their drivers because it means repairs are cheap due to the availability of parts.

Chevrolet Silverado: $71 to $153 per month

In life, you’re either a Chevy person or a Ford person. So if you’re one of those truck drivers who doesn’t dig the F-150, the Chevy Silverado is perhaps the best option. Offering plenty of towing capacity, loads of power, and excellent styling, the Silverado offers another option if you’re after a full-size truck. Like the Ford F-150, parts are readily available, which contributes to lower insurance costs.

Nissan Frontier: $72 to $142 per month

The Nissan Frontier is one of the cheapest trucks to own and operate. A low starting price, great reviews, and decent resale value top the list of the best attributes of this midsize pickup truck. Although this is a foreign-made truck, the availability of parts and low cost of repairs make it less to insure than even some domestically produced pickups.

Chevrolet Colorado: $73 to $148 per month

As the little brother to the Chevy Silverado, the Chevrolet Colorado will save you money at the dealership, as well as on your insurance policy. Despite its smaller stature, the Colorado proves that good things can come in small packages, offering a compact option that also has capability and handling.

Toyota Tacoma: $66 to $148 per month

If you want some serious off-road cred, the Toyota Tacoma fits the bill without having monster-truck sizing. Like most Toyota vehicles, it has reliability and dependability that consumers have come to trust. Plus, newer models have a number of driver-assist features that make your truck safer to drive and less likely to be in an accident, which can lower your average rates for truck insurance.

How Does the Average Pickup Truck Insurance Cost Compare to Other Vehicles?

Although the rugged features and usage of a pickup truck suggest higher auto insurance rates, the average pickup truck insurance cost is far less than you might expect. According to data gathered from real-life Compare.com quotes, trucks are actually the cheapest vehicles to insure, costing less than SUVs and even cars. Here you can see the difference between average pickup truck insurance costs per month compared to other vehicles:

• Trucks: $70 for liability; $148 for full coverage
• SUVs: $81 for liability; $152 for full coverage
• Cars: $83 for liability; $177 for full coverage

Which Features Affect Your Pickup Truck Insurance Rates?

While geographic location, your age, and other factors can change the cost of your car insurance rate, the pickup truck you choose can also have an impact. If you want to lower your insurance rates for the time you own the truck, consider some of these aspects:

• Engine size: Who wouldn’t want a supercharged HEMI? The only downside is that the larger the engine gets, the more power it produces, which can increase your perceived risk to insurers.
• Trim levels: Higher-end trims pack in the extra features. If you opt for a pickup with radars, sensors, backup cameras, premium sound, or other luxurious amenities, your truck costs more to repair, which effectively increases your auto insurance rates.
• Four-wheel drive: Insurance premiums can increase if you choose a truck with the trailblazing capability of four-wheel drive. If you’re actually going to use it, great. But if you’re sticking to the pavement, you’ll save on insurance costs with a two-wheel-drive pickup truck.
• Safety features: Pickup trucks were late to adopt advanced safety features, but now that they’re loaded with driver-assist and crash-mitigation technology, you may see a small drop in insurance costs.
• Midsize vs. full-size: Bigger is always better, right? Not always, even when you’re buying or insuring a truck. Analyzing what truck you want based on how you’re going to use it may save you money on your auto insurance costs. This isn’t a steadfast rule, but if you’re not going to use your truck for towing, hauling, or off-roading, a midsize truck is worth a gander.

How to Lower Your Average Pickup Truck Insurance Cost Per Month

Choosing a truck based on its model year and make, or by the factors listed above, can help you secure lower truck insurance quotes. But you can save on insurance in other ways as well. Use the list below to find ways to maximize your savings.

Choose the Right Coverage

Your insurance coverage has a profound effect on how much you pay. Comprehensive coverage is the most expensive, but it protects you from acts of God, vandalism, and theft. Liability insurance is the cheapest option and keeps you legal, but if you’re in an at-fault accident that totals your truck, the cost to repair mechanical or physical damage is squarely on your shoulders.

Other types of coverage—such as collision, property damage, bodily injury, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage—can also increase the cost of your truck insurance. Comprehensive coverage or add-on coverages are always a better idea for newer trucks so you don’t have to take a total loss or pay out of pocket for more expensive repairs.

Raise Your Deductible

If you have collision or comprehensive coverage, you have a deductible, which is the amount you pay out of pocket for repairs. If you raise your deductible, you’ll have lower insurance premiums, but you’ll have to pay more for repairs and vice-versa. Consider your driving record and the conditions you’ll face on a daily basis when deciding on the right deductible for you. 

Avoid a Truck Loan

Lenders require all borrowers to add full coverage insurance, regardless of the type of vehicle. If you have the cash to buy a truck outright, you can choose your own coverage, lowering your premiums in the process.

Maintain a Clean Driving Record

If you have a bit of a lead foot, you’re probably familiar with flashing lights in your rearview. Speeding tickets and fender benders are more than inconvenient interruptions to your day—they can add up on your insurance rates. But if you can resist the urge to speed, drive defensively, and otherwise maintain a clean driving record, you’ll find even more savings on your car insurance.

Bundle Your Policies Together

If you own a home, it could be your gateway to extra car insurance savings. Many insurance providers, including Allstate, GEICO, and Progressive, offer bundled deals on your home and truck insurance that almost always add up to savings.

Get the Lowest Rate for Your Pickup Truck Insurance

From the type of truck you choose to your credit score to how much you drive your pickup, many aspects factor into the average cost of truck insurance. That’s what makes gathering insurance quotes for your truck one of the smartest things you can do. Keep in mind that your quotes may vary based on the make, model, year, and other factors.

So whether you want a pickup truck for the job site, hauling a camper, or just as a head-turner, use Compare.com to find the cheapest rates on your auto insurance. It’s quick and easy to get a free quote!