Can you get car insurance without an SSN in California? Yes. A Social Security number is not required to buy auto insurance in California. Most insurance companies don’t ask for one, and none of the insurance companies we work with require it. You can get a policy with an ITIN, a passport, or no tax ID at all. Our page on auto insurance with a foreign or international license in California covers foreign-licensed drivers in general. This post is about the Social Security number question: why companies ask for it, what you can use instead, and how to get the coverage you need at a fair price.
Car Insurance Without SSN California: Why Companies Ask for It
When an insurance company asks for your Social Security number, it is usually for one of three reasons: to confirm your identity, to pull reports on your past insurance and claims, or to run a credit check for billing. California law doesn’t require any of them for you to buy a policy. In practice, most insurance companies don’t ask for a Social Security number at all, and when they do, it’s optional. None of the insurance companies we work with require it.
California also doesn’t let insurance companies use your credit score to set your auto insurance rates. Under Proposition 103, the main rating factors are your driving record, how many miles you drive, and how many years of driving experience you have. So not having a Social Security number doesn’t automatically mean higher rates.
Do You Need a Social Security Number to Get Car Insurance?
No. To get coverage, what you need is a valid driver’s license, a vehicle to insure (or a non-owner policy), and a California address. Here is what usually works in place of an SSN:
| Instead of an SSN | How insurance companies use it |
|---|---|
| ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) | Often accepted for identity and billing |
| Passport or consular ID | Confirms your identity |
| California driver’s license, including AB 60 | Confirms you can legally drive and shows your California record |
| Valid foreign driver’s license | Accepted by many insurance companies, especially for new arrivals |
| Proof of prior insurance from home | Helps most of the insurance companies we work with credit your driving history |
Acceptance varies by insurance company. If one company turns you down, it doesn’t mean the next one will. That is the main reason to work with an insurance agent who compares coverage from several companies for you.
What Affects Your Price Without an SSN
Your price is set the same way as the average driver’s. The insurance company looks at your driving record, your years of driving experience, the car, where it’s parked, and the coverage you choose. Two things matter more for drivers without an SSN:
- Your license history. A driver with a new California license and no U.S. record can be priced like a new driver. Proof of driving and insurance history from your home country can help, because most of the insurance companies we work with will credit it.
- Your insurance history. Keeping your coverage active without gaps lowers your price over time. A lapse does the opposite.
California’s Good Driver Discount, one of the biggest discounts available, generally requires three years of licensed driving with a clean record. Under California law, a driver whose experience comes from outside the U.S. or Canada can qualify after 18 months of licensed driving here with a clean record.
Can You Get a Driver’s License Without an SSN in California?
Yes. Under AB 60, California issues driver’s licenses to residents who can’t show proof of legal presence in the United States. You apply with proof of identity and proof of California residency, and you take the same tests as any other driver. Once you have an AB 60 license, insurance companies treat you as a California-licensed driver for quoting purposes.
California Minimum Liability and Your Auto Insurance Options
Every driver in California has to carry at least the state’s minimum liability coverage, with or without an SSN. You may have heard of the old 15/30/5 rule. Those limits were raised on January 1, 2025. Today’s minimums are:
- $30,000 for injury or death to one person
- $60,000 for injury or death to more than one person
- $15,000 for damage to someone else’s property
Liability is the floor. If your car is financed, the lender will also require collision and comprehensive coverage. Uninsured motorist coverage is worth considering too, because it protects you if the other driver has no insurance. California also runs a Low Cost Auto Insurance program (CLCA) for income-qualified good drivers. It is a real state program, and you can check whether you qualify on its website.
How to Compare Quotes Without an SSN
- Have your driver’s license ready, whether it’s a California, AB 60, or foreign license.
- Bring your ITIN, passport, or other ID if you have one.
- Have the vehicle’s year, make, model, and VIN.
- Bring proof of past insurance or a driving record from your home country, if possible.
- Never enter a made-up or borrowed SSN on an application. Tell the insurance company or agent what ID you do have.
- Be honest about tickets and accidents. Leaving them off can lead to a cancelled policy or a denied claim.
- Compare at least a few insurance companies, with the same coverage limits and deductibles on each quote, not just the monthly price.
If you plan to add a relative or spouse with a foreign license to your policy, our post on how to add an international driver to car insurance explains how that works.
If you are also buying a car, our post on how to buy a car in California with foreign license documents covers the title transfer, registration, and insurance steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get car insurance without an SSN in California?
Yes. A Social Security number is optional, and none of the insurance companies we work with require it. You can use an ITIN, a passport, or no tax ID at all.
Can a non-U.S. citizen get car insurance in California?
Yes. To get coverage, what matters is a valid driver’s license and a California address, not citizenship.
Will I pay more without a Social Security number?
Not automatically. California doesn’t allow credit scores to set auto insurance rates. Your driving record and experience matter most.
Can I get a California driver’s license without an SSN?
Yes. AB 60 licenses are available to California residents who can’t show proof of legal presence.
What is the 15/30/5 rule?
It was California’s old minimum liability limit. Since January 1, 2025, the minimum is 30/60/15.
What if an insurance company won’t insure me without an SSN?
Contact us. We work with insurance companies that accept ITINs and foreign licenses, and we will find you a good fit.
Get a Quote Without an SSN
Call IIS Insurance Services at (877) 210-9514. We insure drivers with ITINs, AB 60 licenses, and foreign licenses, compare several insurance companies for you, and can usually start coverage the same day. We can help you in seven languages. For licensing rules, check the California DMV.
Reviewed by George Karapetyan, IIS Insurance Services. CA license #0E94849, agency license #0G56765. Last reviewed October 2026.