Towing a boat, ATVs, motorcycles, or a full moving trailer across the border means extra paperwork — and an insurance detail most drivers miss until they're at the booth. Here's what the garita asks for, how the trailer gets rated on your RC USA policy, and the coverage gap you need to know before you go.
What the Garita Typically Asks For
Requirements shift slightly by port of entry and by what you're hauling, but CBP officers generally want to confirm the same basics.
- Valid passport or passport card (and visa if required) for everyone in the vehicle.
- Title or registration for the tow vehicle AND the trailer — trailers often have their own VIN and registration.
- Proof of US-valid liability insurance for the tow vehicle-trailer combination. Mexican auto insurance does not extend north of the border.
- An honest declaration of what's loaded: boat, ATVs, motorcycles, furniture, tools, etc.
🚤 Towing a boat
Officers may ask for the boat's registration or hull ID and confirm it isn't for resale. If it's for fishing or a lake trip, say so clearly.
🏍️ ATVs or motorcycles
Have registration/title ready for each unit. On an open trailer, expect a quick visual inspection.
📦 Moving loads
Larger moving trailers draw more scrutiny due to commercial-use rules. Be ready to explain personal belongings; some ports may ask for an inventory list.
Declaring the Trailer on Your RC Policy
Your RC USA policy insures the vehicle you drive — but a trailer changes the risk profile of the whole unit. It is not automatically included, and it is not free.
- Trailer type: utility, boat trailer, enclosed cargo, or flatbed.
- Approximate length/weight class.
- What you're hauling (for underwriting purposes, not cargo coverage).
Skipping this step to save a few dollars can leave you without valid coverage exactly when you need it most: a multi-vehicle accident involving a trailer swing or jackknife.
Declaring the trailer adds a small surcharge because the insurer now backs the liability exposure of a longer, heavier combination — wider turns, longer stopping distances, higher crash risk.
The Key Point: Liability Covers Others, Not Your Cargo
This is the detail that catches people off guard. RC (liability) insurance pays for bodily injury or property damage you cause to third parties. It does not pay for damage to your own boat, ATVs, motorcycles, furniture, or anything riding on the trailer — even if the trailer flips or the load is destroyed in a wreck that was your fault.
| Situation | Covered by RC USA | Not covered |
|---|---|---|
| You rear-end another car while towing | Damage to the other car, injuries to its occupants | Your boat/ATV damage, your trailer damage |
| Trailer detaches and hits a fence | Fence repair/replacement | Cargo lost or damaged in the incident |
| Cargo shifts and falls on the highway causing a crash | Damage/injury to the vehicles involved | Value of the cargo itself |
If the value of what you're hauling matters — a lancha, a pair of ATVs, or a trailer full of household goods — that's a separate risk. Cover it through your own property/cargo insurance in Mexico or the US, not through the RC policy.
How to Add the Trailer Before You Cross
- Get your RC quote at timi.mx/rc and select the option to add a trailer.
- Enter the trailer type and what you're hauling so it's rated correctly.
- Review the surcharge — usually a modest add-on, not a full second policy.
- Get your digital policy and print or save a PDF for the glovebox; some officers still prefer paper.
Timi issues policies online through chat, backed by Chubb, in minutes — even for last-minute trips. Coverage is available from a single day if you only need it for one crossing. See how trailer coverage works on RC policies at timi.mx/usa/remolque.
Crossing at a specific port? Requirements and typical wait times differ — check our guides for San Diego, Laredo, and El Paso, or browse all our crossing guides.