In Texas I have to have my 2016 TT inspected prior to getting new tags/registration. What is required in the way of insurance?My car insurance covers the trailer for liability when in tow. I do not carry any other insurance, is that a problem?

I would have a conversation with my insurance company. We're with USAA and the RV has it's own coverage... separate from our other two vehicles. The RV coverage includes liability, collision, comprehensive, etc.Rob

There is no requirement for insurance on the trailer in Texas. The inspection is a simple safety inspections (lights, tires, brakes, etc).

I am in TX. I do have the insurance on the trailer. But it is not required for inspection or registration.All they have even done on mine is check the lights and tires. Takes longer to do the paperwork than the inspection.

BB_TX wrote:I am in TX. I do have the insurance on the trailer. But it is not required for inspection or registration.All they have even done on mine is check the lights and tires. Takes longer to do the paperwork than the inspection.I agree. The only insurance required is liability for the tow vehicle. This is the third year that I have had mine inspected. It is a very minimal inspection and only costs $7. You get a paper report and a report is sent to Austin so that when you register your trailer the Tax office already has your inspection report.

When I first went through this new inspect/register process, the county tax office could not "see" the inspection record on the computer, though it supposedly updates from the inspection station to the state's computer system the county reads. I had taken the printed inspection report with me, and that was acceptable to the county registrar.The inspection itself was a joke as far as safety concerns - no check of lights, hitch/safety chains, tires or brakes....And, though the inspection station only collects $7, there is another $7 collected in the registration process, so $14 for someone to verify my trailer VIN. If it quacks like a tax, it's a tax, not a "fee for service", regardless of the legislators' claims otherwise.

Texas TT registration ? | Good Sam Community

lbrjet
Explorer
Jan 21, 2017
Lantley wrote:
Texan79423 wrote:
In Texas I have to have my 2016 TT inspected prior to getting new tags/registration. What is required in the way of insurance?

My car insurance covers the trailer for liability when in tow. I do not carry any other insurance, is that a problem?

Additional insurance is not needed as long as you can afford to take a loss if something happens to trailer while not being towed.
If a large tree falls on trailer or if there is a fire your car policy will not cover trailer.

An accident will not cover your trailer either. Liability covers others property, not yours.
LarryJM
Explorer II
Jan 21, 2017
Second Chance wrote:
I would have a conversation with my insurance company. We're with USAA and the RV has it's own coverage... separate from our other two vehicles. The RV coverage includes liability, collision, comprehensive, etc.

Rob

I also have USAA and trailer liability is included under the Auto section while the optional collision (unless you lender requires you to carry it) and comprehensive do have a separate policy line for a trailer.

Larry
2milesup
Explorer II
Jan 21, 2017
The OP wasn't asking whether insurance on his TT was a good idea, he just wanted to know the legal requirements for registering it in Texas.

I just re-registered mine and all the inspector wanted to see was the TV's insurance, then checked the lights and VIN. He might have glanced at the tires but I didn't notice it. It took 3 times as long to hook it up and pull it to the station as it did for the inspection.

When I initially registered my TT in Texas after moving in from another state I had to get an empty weight, otherwise it all went the same. BOL.
bid_time
Nomad II
Jan 20, 2017
See above post. Also, I heard (I can't vouch for whether it is true or not) if it becomes disconnected from the vehicle while towing, it won't be covered either. This would be huge problem because not only would you lose the value of the trailer, but you could also be liable for some other peoples vehicle(s) damage.
Lantley
Nomad
Jan 20, 2017
Texan79423 wrote:
In Texas I have to have my 2016 TT inspected prior to getting new tags/registration. What is required in the way of insurance?

My car insurance covers the trailer for liability when in tow. I do not carry any other insurance, is that a problem?

Additional insurance is not needed as long as you can afford to take a loss if something happens to trailer while not being towed.
If a large tree falls on trailer or if there is a fire your car policy will not cover trailer.
Texan79423
Explorer
Jan 20, 2017
Thanks men!
pawpaw47
Explorer
Jan 20, 2017
It's a very simple procedure. Bring your trailer to the inspection place, show them your tow vehicle insurance, they take a quick look at the lights and tires on the trailer, pay your money and you're done.
BB_TX
Nomad
Jan 19, 2017
Vvvv1010 wrote:
The mechanic doing the inspection will simply ask you for proof that the trailer is yours i.e. registration doc, insurance doc., but there is no insurance requirement.

Instead of saying "will", say "may". I have never been asked for any proof of ownership or any other paperwork. They simply checked the lights, looked at the tires, and went straight to their computer. The next day I could log onto the state web site and do on line registration and save the trip to the tax assessor office. No brake check either. Obviously what they do varies depending on where you go.
Vvvv1010
Explorer
Jan 19, 2017
The mechanic doing the inspection will simply ask you for proof that the trailer is yours i.e. registration doc, insurance doc., but there is no insurance requirement.
austex
Explorer
Jan 19, 2017
When I first went through this new inspect/register process, the county tax office could not "see" the inspection record on the computer, though it supposedly updates from the inspection station to the state's computer system the county reads. I had taken the printed inspection report with me, and that was acceptable to the county registrar.

The inspection itself was a joke as far as safety concerns - no check of lights, hitch/safety chains, tires or brakes....And, though the inspection station only collects $7, there is another $7 collected in the registration process, so $14 for someone to verify my trailer VIN.

If it quacks like a tax, it's a tax, not a "fee for service", regardless of the legislators' claims otherwise.