Is it a bad idea to give your Social Security number when shopping for car insurance?
You don't need a social security number to get car insurance quotes. It's not always a bad idea to give a social security number when shopping for car insurance rates, but you shouldn't have to. Car insurance quotes may be more accurate if you provide your SSN, since most states allow credit to be used for insurance rates.
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Daniel Walker
Licensed 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 Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Jul 9, 2023
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UPDATED: Jul 9, 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 car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company.
Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from top car companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Your Social Security number is not a requirement to compare car insurance rates
- A Social Security number is used to verify your identity, check your credit history, and verify your legal status in the U.S.
- Avoid scams by checking the credibility of a site before entering your SSN
Applying for a loan for a car and then for car insurance may require that you provide Social Security number (SSN) to confirm your identity, and check your credit history. Your SSN or driver’s license number are also used to check your driving record since your driving history affects insurance rates.
Is it a bad idea to give a Social Security number when shopping for car insurance rates?
Your Social Security number is confidential information and should be treated as such. You must always be cautious when inputting your Social Security number while searching for car insurance quotes online.
While your Social Security number is a requirement to purchase car insurance, it is not a requirement to search car insurance quotes.
Type your ZIP code in the free tool above and search car insurance quotes in your area without your Social Security number.
Is it a bad idea to give a Social Security number when shopping for affordable car insurance?
Your Social Security number is not needed to shop around for car insurance quotes.
However, including your Social Security number when applying for car insurance is typically a requirement. A tax ID number can sometimes be used in place of SSN.
Refusal to disclose your SSN, if you have one, when applying for car insurance can result in a higher rate or other consequences.
As it relates to car insurance, your Social Security number can be used to:
- Verify your identity
- Check your credit history and creditworthiness
- Verify your legal status in the U.S.
An SSN is not a requirement to begin your search for car insurance quotes, but some sites may ask in an attempt to get you better quote results. In most states, your credit history can affect what you pay for car insurance.
Before entering personal information like your Social Security number, always check the credibility of a site. Scams may attempt to steal your information.
If you think your Social Security number may have been compromised or you’d like tips for prevention, you can contact the Social Security Administration for more information.
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What is required when shopping for car insurance?
Searching for car insurance without an SSN means using other personal information to estimate what a rate may look like.
You can expect to see questions like:
- What is your ZIP code?
- What is the year, make, and model of your vehicle?
- Have you had car insurance for the past 30 days?
- Who is your current car insurance provider?
- Have you had an accident or DUI in a specific timeframe?
You can also anticipate generic demographic questions such as:
- Your first and last name
- Your birthday
- Your gender
- You full address
These types of questions are asked to determine you level of risk. For example, females are generally labeled as low-risk in comparison to males.
The average car insurance rates by age and gender can further explain how demographic factors along with your credit and driving history provided by your SSN make up the car insurance quote you’re given.
Do you need a Social Security number to get car insurance?
No. You don’t need a Social Security number to get car insurance, but providing one can make the process easier.
Is it a bad idea to give a Social Security number when shopping for car insurance quotes? It can be. You have to be careful when you share your information.
When you’re shopping around for car insurance quotes, you most likely will not be asked for your SSN, but if you are, be sure to check the credibility of the site.
A credible site will only use your Social Security number to verify your information and ensure you receive more accurate car insurance rates.
Discover car insurance quotes in your area without your Social Security number by entering your ZIP code in the free tool below.
Case Studies: Social Security Numbers and Car Insurance
Case Study 1: John’s Experience
John, a car owner from California, was shopping for car insurance online. He came across a website that requested his Social Security number to provide more accurate quotes. Initially hesitant, John decided to provide his SSN and received quotes that were tailored to his credit history. While it made the process easier, John remained cautious about sharing his sensitive information.
Case Study 2: Sarah’s Concerns
Sarah, a cautious consumer from New York, decided to compare car insurance quotes without providing her Social Security number. She found several websites that allowed her to enter other personal information for estimated rates. Sarah believed that her privacy was important, and she preferred to avoid sharing her SSN unless it was absolutely necessary.
Case Study 3: Mark’s Refusal
Mark, a car owner from Texas, was uncomfortable with the idea of sharing his Social Security number while shopping for car insurance. He believed it was unnecessary and could potentially expose him to identity theft or scams. Mark decided to refuse to provide his SSN during the quote process, even though it meant potentially receiving less accurate rates.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is it a bad idea to give your Social Security number when shopping for car insurance?
You don’t need a Social Security number to get car insurance quotes. It’s not always a bad idea to provide your Social Security number when shopping for car insurance rates, but it shouldn’t be required. Car insurance quotes may be more accurate if you provide your SSN since most states allow credit to be used for insurance rates.
What is required when shopping for car insurance?
When shopping for car insurance, you may be asked for personal information such as your name, address, driver’s license number, and details about your vehicle. Your Social Security number is not required to begin your search for car insurance quotes.
Do I need to provide my Social Security number when shopping for car insurance?
No, it’s not required to provide your Social Security number when shopping for car insurance. However, when applying for car insurance, providing your Social Security number is typically a requirement, as it is used to confirm your identity, check your credit history, and verify your driving record, which can affect insurance rates.
Should I give my Social Security number when getting car insurance quotes?
It’s not recommended to provide your Social Security number when getting car insurance quotes unless you trust the website or source.
How does my Social Security number affect car insurance rates?
In some states, your Social Security number can impact car insurance rates due to credit history checks. Insurance companies may use credit information as a factor in determining insurance premiums.
Free Car Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap car insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Daniel Walker
Licensed 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 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.