Do auto insurance companies need your Social Security number?
If you're wondering, do auto insurance companies need your Social Security number? Check your state insurance laws. In most states, auto insurers use Social Security numbers (SSNs) to check credit histories and criminal records to set rates. Giving an insurer your SSN can help lower auto insurance rates.
Free Car Insurance Comparison
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Daniel Walker
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Sep 22, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Sep 22, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Your auto insurance company uses your Social Security number to review your credit as part of rate calculations
- If you don’t provide your Social Security number, you may have to pay higher rates
- Some states, such as California and New York, don’t require your Social Security number for auto insurance
When applying for auto insurance, you might be wondering: Do auto insurance companies need your Social Security number?
In most states, auto insurance companies require your Social Security number (SSN). However, some states don’t allow or require companies to use it, although providing a Social Security number might help you get a lower insurance rate.
Keep reading to learn why auto insurance companies use Social Security numbers and how it impacts the cost of car insurance. If you’re ready to buy auto insurance without an SSN, check out our guide to the best auto insurance companies that don’t ask for a Social Security number.
Why Auto Insurance Companies Need Your Social Security Number
You use your SSN to open bank accounts, buy a car, purchase a home, and more. But why do auto insurance companies need your Social Security number?
Auto insurers in most states use your Social Security number to check your credit history and criminal record to help determine your insurance rates.
Based on your criminal background check, the insurance company will be able to see whether you’ve ever committed insurance fraud, vehicular manslaughter, or other crimes that might impact your auto insurance rates. If you have a criminal record, you might need to purchase high-risk insurance. Learn more about how a criminal record affects auto insurance rates.
Providing your Social Security number allows insurance companies to check your credit score. Drivers with poor credit are more likely to pay higher rates since companies consider them more likely to file a claim. If the insurance company thinks you’re at high risk for filing claims, your auto insurance rates will be higher to compensate for the expense it’ll eventually incur.
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
How to Get Auto Insurance Without a Social Security Number
If you want the best possible rates, you’re going to have to provide your Social Security number to the auto insurance company you plan on purchasing a policy from.
While you don’t have to provide your Social Securty number during the quote process, your rate may change if you do provide it when you buy the policy.Kristen Gryglik Licensed Insurance Agent
While not all auto insurance companies require your Social Security number, most of them will. Even if a company doesn’t ask for your SSN, auto insurance will be easier to get if you provide your Social Security number. It’s also the easiest way to prove your identity, and most top insurance companies like Geico, Progressive, and State Farm require it.
However, if you live in one of the states below, you aren’t required to provide your Social Security number when applying for insurance:
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Maine
- Maryland
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- New York
- Utah
- Vermont
- Washington
- Washington D.C.
In some of these states, your credit record can’t be used to calculate your rates, either. Compare auto insurance rates by state to find the most affordable coverage in your area.
What You Need to Buy Auto Insurance
All you really need to do is fill out an application and provide some basic information about you, the vehicle you are insuring, and your driving history.
Here’s a brief car insurance checklist to help ensure you have everything you need to apply for car insurance:
- Your age and gender
- Annual mileage
- Current address
- Driving record
- Named drivers
- Make, model, and year
- Safety features
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Where you park your car
Gather all the documents you need to buy auto insurance prior to applying and provide it to your auto insurance company when it’s requested.
The Final Word: Do auto insurance companies need your Social Security number?
Most companies need your Social Security number to set auto insurance rates, but these providers take precautions to protect private information from potential threats.
Keep in mind that you can probably obtain cheaper auto insurance if you’re willing to share your SSN than if you don’t. Use our comparison tool above to start comparing free auto insurance quotes today.
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does auto insurance ask for SSN?
Providing your SSN helps insurance companies verify your identity, check your driving history, and assess your creditworthiness. It also assists in accurately pricing your insurance policy.
What does SSN mean for auto insurance?
Auto insurance companies need your SSN, or Social Security number, to confirm your identity and set your car insurance rates.
Why does Allstate auto insurance need my Social Security number?
Allstate needs your SSN to set your auto insurance rates based on your criminal and credit history.
Why does Progressive auto insurance want my Social Security number?
Progressive will run a credit and criminal background check to determine your risk and rates.
Should I give my SSN to auto insurance companies?
Auto insurance companies are legally required to protect your personal information, including your SSN. Reputable insurance companies have safeguards in place to secure customer data. Exercise caution and verify the credibility of the insurance provider before sharing sensitive information. Ensure you’re dealing with a licensed and trustworthy insurance company.
What should I do if I’m uncomfortable sharing my Social Security number with an auto insurance company?
If you’re uncomfortable providing your SSN, ask the insurance company about alternative ways to verify your identity and assess your eligibility for coverage. Some companies may offer alternative options, such as requesting additional documentation or using other identification numbers.
Can an auto insurance company deny coverage if I refuse to provide my Social Security number?
Auto insurance companies have the right to deny coverage if you refuse to provide requested information, such as your Social Security number. However, it’s important to understand that requirements may vary depending on the insurance company and state regulations. Review the terms and conditions of the insurance policy and consult with the company directly to understand their specific requirements.
How can I protect my Social Security number when dealing with auto insurance companies?
To protect your Social Security number when interacting with auto insurance companies:
- Verify the legitimacy of the insurance company before sharing any personal information.
- Only provide your Social Security number if you feel confident in the company’s credibility and the necessity of the request.
- Use secure communication channels when transmitting sensitive information, such as encrypted online forms or secured mail.
- Regularly monitor your credit reports for any suspicious activity or signs of identity theft.
- Be cautious of phishing attempts or scams posing as insurance companies. Always verify the source and contact the company directly if in doubt.
How does credit score affect auto insurance rates?
Someone with a lower-than-average credit score might pay more than someone with an average credit score. That’s because, in the eyes of the insurance company, someone with a late payment history or fewer accounts in good standing is more likely to miss payments and file more claims.
How do I avoid using my Social Security number for auto insurance?
Shop for coverage with car insurance companies that don’t check Social Security numbers and leave the form blank when it asks for your SSN.
What should I do if someone has my Social Security number?
File a police report with your local authorities. If you have identity theft protection, file a claim with your insurance company immediately. You may also want to report the crime to the Federal Trade Commission’s Identity Theft via its website.
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Daniel Walker
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.