Car insurance without a Social Security number
An SSN makes it easier. It usually isn't required.
New arrivals, visa holders and people who don't qualify for a Social Security number often assume they can't buy car insurance. In most cases they can. The SSN is mostly used to check credit and records, and insurers have other ways to identify you.
What insurers use instead
Not every insurer accepts every alternative, so it helps to ask up front, or to work with someone who can check several insurers for you.
- A driver's license number, US or foreign.
- An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), if you have one.
- A passport or other government ID.
- Proof of address where the car is kept.
Why the price may be higher at first
In most states, insurers can use a credit-based insurance score as one rating factor. Without an SSN they may not be able to find one, and a missing score can be treated less favorably than a good one. A few states limit or ban the use of credit in car insurance pricing.
The price usually improves as you build a US driving record and keep continuous coverage.
Continuous coverage matters
Once you're insured, keep the policy in force without gaps. Insurers look at your insurance history, and a gap can cost more than the effort of switching carefully.
Common questions
Often, yes. Many insurers will use a driver's license, ITIN or passport instead. Ask each insurer what it accepts.
It can be, because the insurer may not find a credit-based insurance score. The price tends to improve as you build a US driving and insurance history.
Some insurers accept an ITIN. Others use your license number or passport. Ask before you apply.
Want this priced for your situation?
This page is general information, not advice about your specific circumstances. A licensed insurance professional can tell you what’s actually available to you.
General information only, not insurance advice. Coverage, availability, and terms vary by insurer and by state, and are subject to underwriting. Quote My Policy LLC connects you with licensed insurance professionals. Nothing here binds coverage.