My insurance asked how many seats and how many seatbelts, I said 6 and 2 as it has a cubby box, if I add belts surely that just makes it safer so how can they charge me more
You would be surprised!! According to the insurance company it is to do with assessment of liability. If the truck did not have seats belts as standard and you get in as a passenger and are injured you knew there were no seat belts so the assessed risk to the insurance company is lower. If I add seat belts that were not original fit and then you sustained injury you could argue it was because the vehicle had been modified.
It is a right minefield!!
It gets even worse when looking to carry children. A side bench seat without seat belts can be used by a child over 3. If it has seat belts then it can't be used because you can't fit a child seat side facing and if it has a seatbelt it must have a child seat!!!
So basically side bench seats without seats belts are actually easier to use!! I have a canvass cab top on mine and the bench seats sit in the tub for summer alfresco trips!
Just drive carefully!!