If you hold an ITIN and recently got a car, or are planning to finance one, auto insurance is a required next step in most states. The good news: no federal law and no state insurance code we are aware of requires a Social Security number to purchase a policy. The trickier part is knowing which carriers will actually work with you, and how to avoid paying far more than necessary.
Do I actually need an SSN to buy car insurance?
A question we hear often: many ITIN holders assume they cannot get insured without a Social Security number, and some even get turned away by a single large carrier before giving up. That assumption is wrong.
You can obtain car insurance without a Social Security number by using alternative identification methods such as an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) or a valid driver’s license. The reason some people hit walls is that many national insurance carriers use SSNs to run credit-based insurance scores, a key step in their quoting process, and when you do not have an SSN, those systems often stop working. That is an internal carrier process issue, not a legal one.
Not every carrier relies on the same underwriting process, and some may be willing to work with an ITIN instead. Not all carriers accept ITINs, and availability varies by state. Large national carriers that rely on automated quoting and credit-based pricing are often the least flexible. Specialty and non-standard carriers tend to have more flexibility in how they verify identity and assess risk.
The practical takeaway: call a standard brand and you may be rejected. Work with an independent agent or broker who represents multiple specialty carriers and you will almost always find coverage.
What documents do I need to apply with an ITIN?
To secure a policy, you may need to share your name, date of birth, driver’s license number, and ITIN, along with your vehicle’s make and model, mileage, security features, and vehicle identification number (VIN).
Beyond these basics, gather the following before you shop:
- IRS CP-565 notice: This is the letter confirming your ITIN number. An ITIN letter (IRS Form CP-565) satisfies underwriting identity for drivers without a Social Security number, and ITIN-only customers regularly bind same-day and qualify for the lowest-tier liability rates as SSN holders.
- Driver’s license: A U.S. state-issued license is ideal. A valid foreign driver’s license or international driving permit is accepted by many specialty carriers.
- Vehicle information: Title, registration, and VIN number.
- Prior insurance history: If you were insured in another country, ask your previous insurer for a letter of experience. It can reduce your premium.
How much more will I pay for auto insurance with an ITIN?
This one comes up a lot: cost is usually the biggest fear, and it is valid. You may pay more at first, but the gap is narrower than most people expect when you shop the right market.
Drivers without an SSN typically pay 8%-18% more than otherwise identical drivers with an SSN, but the price spread between the cheapest and most expensive no-SSN carrier is wider, often 200% or more, so shopping the full specialty market matters.
The reason for the premium difference is straightforward. Without an SSN, your rates might be higher due to a lack of credit history evaluation. Carriers that do not rely on credit-based scoring close much of this gap.
Building a U.S. credit history with your ITIN helps over time. If you have not already started, our guide on how to build credit with an ITIN walks through the fastest paths. And if you are still financing the car itself, see our ITIN car loan guide for lender options.
Which carriers accept an ITIN for auto insurance?
Carrier acceptance varies by state, so the table below reflects nationally recognized patterns rather than guaranteed availability in your ZIP code. Always verify directly with the carrier or an independent agent.
| Carrier | Accepts ITIN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| National General | Yes | One of the most flexible; accepts ITIN and alternative ID |
| Bristol West | Yes | Works with ITIN or Matricula Consular |
| The General | Yes | No SSN required; flexible payment options |
| Dairyland | Yes | Specialty non-standard carrier |
| Kemper | Yes | Programs designed for diverse identification |
| Progressive | Sometimes | Policy varies by state; ask directly |
| GEICO | Sometimes | Accepts ITIN in some states; SSN often required at bind |
| State Farm | Sometimes | Agent-by-agent discretion; not guaranteed |
Working with an independent agent may be helpful because rather than being limited to a single company’s rules, an independent agent can check across multiple carriers to find ones that may be able to issue a policy using your ITIN.
Does my state make a difference?
Yes, significantly. Car insurance is regulated at the state level, and as of recent years, 16 or more states allow unauthorized immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses without a Social Security number. Having a state-issued license alongside your ITIN gives carriers more data to underwrite you and often produces better rates.
States that do not require an SSN for a driver’s license include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington, and you can also get a driver’s license without an SSN in Washington, D.C.
In California, for example, the state issues driver’s licenses under AB 60 regardless of immigration status, which means many residents who hold ITINs also have valid California-issued driver’s licenses. Having a California driver’s license may help when applying for insurance, as some carriers require a valid license number but may be flexible on the SSN requirement when a state-issued license is present. Combining your ITIN with your California AB 60 license may improve the options available to you.
What types of coverage can I get?
Readers frequently ask whether ITIN holders are limited to bare-minimum liability-only policies. In most cases, you are not.
Drivers with ITINs who are able to obtain a policy may have access to the same coverage types as other insured drivers, depending on the carrier. Standard coverage types available to ITIN holders through specialty carriers typically include:
- Liability insurance: Required in nearly every state. Covers bodily injury and property damage you cause to others.
- Collision coverage: Covers damage to your own vehicle after an accident.
- Comprehensive coverage: Covers theft, weather damage, and non-collision events.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Particularly valuable if you are hit by a driver without insurance.
- SR-22 filings: If required by a court or the DMV, ITIN holders can still file an SR-22. Specialty carriers handle SR-22 filings with ITIN-only drivers, with pricing typically running $78-$210 per month for no-license SR-22 cases versus $28-$95 per month for an SR-22 attached to a clean driver’s license.
Will using my ITIN for insurance create any immigration risk?
This concern is understandable, and the answer is reassuring. Using your ITIN for auto insurance creates no immigration risk. Insurance applications are not shared with USCIS, ICE, or any federal enforcement agency.
Insurance carriers are regulated by state insurance commissioners, not federal immigration authorities. Their obligation is to verify your identity for underwriting, not to report it. State insurance codes and federal anti-money-laundering rules require carriers to know who they are insuring, and that requirement is satisfied by any of several alternative identifiers, including an ITIN issued by the IRS, a matricula consular, a foreign passport, a state-issued ID, or a U.S. permanent resident card, and the carrier files the policy under one of those identifiers and the contract is fully enforceable.
What is the step-by-step process to get insured with an ITIN?
Once you understand the landscape, the practical process is straightforward:
- Gather your documents. Collect your ITIN letter (CP-565), your driver’s license or foreign driving credential, your vehicle’s VIN and registration, and any prior insurance history you have.
- Contact an independent agent. The easiest way to find a car insurance policy without an SSN is to consult an independent insurance agent with contacts at multiple insurance companies. Avoid calling a single direct-to-consumer brand first.
- Request quotes from at least three carriers. Premium spreads between carriers for ITIN holders can be enormous. Do not skip this step.
- Ask about discounts. Some insurance providers offer discounts for safe driving, multi-car policies, and other factors, regardless of whether you have a Social Security number.
- Review the policy before signing. Confirm coverage amounts, your listed driving credentials, and payment terms are all accurate.
- Build your insurance history. Every year without a claim improves your renewal rate. Over time, your no-claims record becomes your strongest negotiating tool.
If you are in the process of financing a vehicle at the same time, lenders typically require proof of comprehensive and collision coverage before releasing funds. See our ITIN car loan page for more on what lenders require. And once you are insured and building financial stability, exploring an ITIN credit card or a credit builder loan can help your credit file grow alongside your insurance history.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get auto insurance with only an ITIN and no driver’s license? It is possible but difficult. Most carriers require at least one form of driving credential, such as a valid foreign driver’s license or an international driving permit. Your ITIN establishes your identity for the policy, but you still need a license to drive the vehicle legally.
Will my insurance company report my ITIN to immigration authorities? No. Insurance carriers are not required to report your ITIN or policy information to USCIS, ICE, or any immigration enforcement agency. Your information stays with the insurer and is used solely for underwriting and claims purposes.
Do ITIN holders pay more for car insurance than SSN holders? Drivers without an SSN typically pay 8%-18% more than otherwise identical SSN holders, largely because standard carriers use credit-based insurance scores that require an SSN. Shopping specialty carriers narrows this gap significantly.
Which states make it easiest to get auto insurance with an ITIN? States that issue driver’s licenses regardless of immigration status, such as California, New York, Illinois, and roughly 19 others, are the most accessible. Having a state-issued license alongside your ITIN gives carriers more underwriting data and often improves your rate.
Does getting auto insurance with an ITIN affect my credit score? Generally no. Most specialty carriers that serve ITIN holders do not run a traditional credit inquiry for insurance purposes. Some states, including California, restrict credit-based insurance scoring, which further protects ITIN holders from rate penalization.