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Car insurance and claims in Texas without a Social Security number or with an ITIN

What the IRS, Texas insurance law and the Texas Department of Insurance say about the ITIN, buying car insurance without a credit history, fake policies, filing a claim after a crash, and why an insurer may ask for a Social Security or Medicare number. Checked October 29, 2026.

12 min readPublished October 29, 2026Last updated October 29, 2026Edited by Joseph Budzinski, CTO, InjuryClaimGuide

The short answer

The IRS says an ITIN is a 9-digit number it issues to a person who needs a taxpayer identification number for federal tax purposes but isn't eligible for a Social Security number, and that it is "issued by the IRS for federal tax purposes only" (IRS, ITIN). Neither the Texas Insurance Code sections nor the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) pages we reviewed say whether an insurer may ask for a Social Security number to sell a car insurance policy; what the law does say is that an insurer may not refuse coverage or charge more because of a person's national origin (Ins. Code §544.002) and may weigh a missing credit history only in the cases the law sets (§559.052(b)). How any of these rules applies to a person or a claim depends on the facts; a licensed Texas attorney can explain that.

This guide provides general informational guidance and is not legal, tax or insurance advice. It does not cover immigration law and says nothing about what any agency or insurer will or will not do.

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Key facts (as of October 29, 2026)

  • The ITIN is for federal taxes. The IRS says an ITIN doesn't qualify a person for Social Security benefits, doesn't provide or change immigration status, doesn't authorize work in the U.S., and doesn't serve as identification outside the federal tax system (IRS).
  • ITIN help in Houston. The IRS lists four Taxpayer Assistance Centers with ITIN services in Houston: Downtown, Northwest, Southeast and Southwest; appointments are made at 844-545-5640 (IRS).
  • No discrimination by national origin. No one may refuse to insure a person, limit the person's coverage or charge a different rate for the same coverage because of race, color, religion or national origin (§544.002).
  • No credit history. A lack of credit information may count against a policy only in the cases §559.052(b) lists.
  • Last resort: TAIPA. TDI says a person can apply to TAIPA after at least two companies have turned down liability coverage in the past 60 days (TDI).
  • Fake policies. TDI warned in July 2026 that scams and fake policies are on the rise and asks people to check the agent's license and confirm the policy with the company (TDI).
  • Insurance is required. No one may drive in Texas without financial responsibility for the vehicle (Transp. Code §601.051).
  • Medicare and the Social Security number. CMS publishes a model form insurers use to ask whether a person is or has been enrolled in Medicare and, if so, for the Medicare or Social Security number; the form has a place to list reasons for not giving it (CMS).

What is an ITIN, and what is it for?

The IRS explains it this way (IRS, ITIN):

  • What it is. "An ITIN is a 9-digit number the IRS issues if you need a U.S. taxpayer identification number for federal tax purposes, but you aren't eligible for a Social Security number (SSN)."
  • What it is used for. "An ITIN is issued by the IRS for federal tax purposes only."
  • What it doesn't do. The IRS says an ITIN doesn't qualify a person for Social Security benefits or the Earned Income Tax Credit, doesn't provide or change immigration status, doesn't authorize a person to work legally in the U.S., and doesn't serve as identification outside the federal tax system.
  • Who may apply. The IRS says a resident alien or nonresident alien, or their spouse or dependent, can apply for an ITIN regardless of immigration status, when the person has a federal tax purpose, such as being legally required to file a U.S. federal income tax return.

How to apply. The IRS says a person applies for an ITIN by mail or in person, with Form W-7 and supporting documents (IRS, How to apply for an ITIN). In person, the IRS lists three options: an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center with ITIN services, a Certifying Acceptance Agent or an Acceptance Agent; the IRS lists both kinds of agents as fee-based. The IRS says to allow 7 weeks for notice about the application, and 9 to 11 weeks during tax season (January 15 to April 30) or for an application from overseas.

In Houston. The IRS list of Taxpayer Assistance Centers with ITIN services includes four Houston offices: Houston-Downtown, Houston-Northwest, Houston-Southeast and Houston-Southwest. The IRS says these centers can review a completed Form W-7, authenticate most supporting documents and return them at the end of the appointment, and mail the application package; that appointments are made at 844-545-5640; and that it may take several weeks to get one (IRS, Taxpayer Assistance Centers with ITIN services).

This guide gives no tax advice and does not say whether anyone needs an ITIN.

Can you buy car insurance without a Social Security number?

Neither the Texas Insurance Code sections nor the TDI pages we reviewed on October 29, 2026 say whether an insurer may ask for a Social Security number to sell a car insurance policy. Here is what they do say:

  • How companies set the premium. TDI's auto insurance guide says most companies consider driving record and claims history, where the car is kept, the kind of car, how it is used and, at some companies, the credit score. TDI says most companies check claims history in the CLUE report (TDI, Auto insurance guide).
  • National origin. Insurance Code §544.002(a) says a person may not refuse to insure someone, refuse to continue to insure the person, limit the amount, extent or kind of coverage, or charge the person a rate different from the rate charged to others for the same coverage because of the person's "race, color, religion, or national origin" (§544.002). TDI's guide puts it this way: an insurance company may not turn you down or charge you more because of your race, color, religion or national origin.
  • No credit history. Section 559.052(b) says an insurer may not consider "an absence of credit information or an inability to determine credit information" as a factor in underwriting or rating a policy unless the insurer: (1) has statistical, actuarial or reasonable underwriting information, related to actual or anticipated loss experience, showing that the absence of credit information could result in loss differences; (2) treats the person as having neutral credit information, as the insurer defines it; or (3) excludes credit information and uses only other underwriting criteria (§559.052).
  • Not on credit alone. The same §559.052(a) says an insurer may not deny, cancel or nonrenew a policy solely on the basis of credit information without considering any other underwriting factor, and TDI's guide says a company may not turn you down or charge you more only because of your credit score.
  • Notice of credit use. An insurer that uses credit scoring must tell each applicant, at the time of application, that the applicant's credit report may be used (§559.053).
  • In writing. TDI says that if you ask, a company must tell you in writing why it turned you down, canceled or didn't renew your policy, and that you may complain to TDI if you think it did so improperly.

TDI's Help Line, 800-252-3439, answers insurance questions. Our guide to Texas minimum auto insurance explains each coverage.

What happens if no company will sell a policy?

TDI calls the Texas Automobile Insurance Plan Association (TAIPA) a state-designated "insurer of last resort" (TDI, Other ways to get auto, home, and wind insurance):

  • Who may apply. A person can apply for TAIPA coverage after being turned down for auto liability coverage by at least two insurance companies in the past 60 days.
  • What it covers. According to TDI, TAIPA policies offer the minimum liability coverage the law requires, and a person can also get uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and $2,500 of personal injury protection. TDI's guide adds that TAIPA doesn't sell collision or comprehensive coverage or higher liability limits than state law requires.
  • How to apply. An insurance agent can apply for the person, and TAIPA assigns the application to an insurance company that issues the policy and handles any claims.
  • The price. TDI's guide says TAIPA coverage is more expensive than coverage from other insurance companies (TDI, Auto insurance guide).

How do you tell a real policy from a fake one?

In a news release of July 27, 2026, TDI warned that auto insurance scams and fake policies are on the rise. TDI says scammers without a TDI license to sell insurance collect money but never use it to buy coverage, and that the person finds out after a crash, when trying to file a claim (TDI). According to the same release:

  • fraudsters often target victims on social media with unusually low-cost insurance offers;
  • a person can call TDI's Help Line, 800-252-3439, or look up an agent online to know whether the agent has a TDI license;
  • TDI says not to pay for insurance through third-party apps, although insurance company apps are OK;
  • if someone warns that the offer will be lost unless the policy is bought by a deadline, TDI says that is usually a bad sign, because legitimate insurance plans have no purchase deadlines;
  • after buying a policy, TDI says to call the insurance company directly to confirm there is a policy in your name;
  • suspected insurance fraud can be reported online or at 800-252-3439.

What insurance does Texas require of every driver?

  • The rule. A person may not operate a motor vehicle in Texas unless financial responsibility is established for that vehicle, usually through a liability insurance policy (§601.051).
  • The minimum coverage. The policy must cover at least $30,000 for bodily injury to or death of one person in one collision, $60,000 for bodily injury to or death of two or more persons in one collision, and $25,000 for damage to or destruction of property of others in one collision (§601.072).
  • Showing proof. On request of a peace officer or a person involved in a collision with the driver, the driver must show evidence of insurance, such as the standard proof-of-insurance card or an image on a phone with the information the law requires (§601.053).

These sections do not mention a Social Security number. Our §601.072 reference entry prints the official text.

How do you file a claim after a crash?

With the other driver's insurer. TDI describes these steps for a person who thinks the other driver caused the crash (TDI):

  • at the scene, take a picture of the other driver's insurance card and driver's license, or ask for the other driver's name, phone number, insurance company and policy number, and give the other driver your information;
  • file a claim with the other driver's insurance, let your own insurance company know and, if police responded, get a copy of the report and send it to the other insurance company;
  • if the other company says it won't pay, ask for its reason in detail and in writing;
  • the next option TDI lists is a claim with your own insurance: collision, uninsured/underinsured motorist, personal injury protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage.

With your own insurer. For claims a person makes under his or her own policy, chapter 542 of the Insurance Code sets deadlines. The chapter defines a "claim" as a first-party claim made by an insured under the policy that must be paid by the insurer directly to the insured (§542.051). For those claims:

  • not later than the 15th day after receiving notice of the claim, the insurer must acknowledge receipt, begin its investigation and request the items, statements and forms it reasonably believes it will need (§542.055);
  • it must notify the claimant in writing whether it accepts or rejects the claim not later than the 15th business day after receiving everything it required, with exceptions, and must state its reasons if it rejects the claim (§542.056);
  • if it agrees to pay, it must pay not later than the fifth business day after giving that notice (§542.057).

TDI's guide says the prompt payment law doesn't apply if another driver's insurance company is paying the claim, but that company must act in good faith (TDI, Auto insurance guide). Our chapter 542 reference entry prints these sections, and our guide on talking to the insurance adjuster explains those conversations.

Why might an insurer ask for a Social Security or Medicare number?

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) explains that Section 111 of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 (MMSEA) added mandatory reporting requirements for Medicare beneficiaries who receive payments from liability insurance, no-fault insurance or workers' compensation, and that those insurers must report (CMS, Mandatory Insurer Reporting).

Among its downloads, CMS publishes a model form, dated March 10, 2021, that an insurer can use to ask for that information (CMS, NGHP Model Language):

  • the form explains that the law requires liability insurers, no-fault insurers and workers' compensation plans to report information about Medicare beneficiaries who have other insurance coverage, so that payments are coordinated;
  • its Section I first asks whether the person is, or has ever been, enrolled in Medicare; if not, it says to proceed to Section II. If so, it asks for the Medicare number or, if that is unavailable, the Social Security number, and says that a person who is unable to provide the Medicare number and uncomfortable providing the full Social Security number may give the last 5 digits;
  • its Section III is for a person who does not provide the information: it has space to list the reasons and says that a Medicare beneficiary who does not provide the information may be violating obligations to help Medicare coordinate benefits.

This guide does not say how to answer that form; an attorney can explain it for a specific case. Our guide on recorded statements to insurers in Texas explains what TDI says about those conversations.

What if the person has no papers, license or insurance?

Our guide Injured in Texas without papers, a license or insurance explains what the Texas Constitution, the workers' compensation law, the license and insurance rules and the barratry law say, with their official sources. For a person who was driving on a license from another country, our guide on a crash in Texas with a Mexican driver's license explains what the law and DPS say. And our guide on the Mexican consulate in Houston after a crash summarizes what the consulate says about its protection department.

As of October 29, 2026, the InjuryClaimGuide intake form does not ask for a Social Security number or for immigration status, and information sent through it is handled under its privacy policy.

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About InjuryClaimGuide

InjuryClaimGuide is a legal advertising service. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice. We do not recommend or endorse any attorney, and we do not analyze the merits of any potential claim. Routing to participating firms is based on geography, practice area, language, and firm capacity.

Frequently asked questions

Can you buy car insurance without a Social Security number?
Neither the Texas Insurance Code sections nor the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) pages we reviewed say whether an insurer may ask for a Social Security number to sell a policy. TDI's guide lists what most companies consider in setting a premium: driving record and claims history, where the car is kept, the kind of car, how it is used and, at some companies, the credit score. TDI's Help Line, 800-252-3439, answers insurance questions.
What is an ITIN?
The IRS says an ITIN is a 9-digit number it issues if a person needs a U.S. taxpayer identification number for federal tax purposes but isn't eligible for a Social Security number. The IRS says an ITIN is issued for federal tax purposes only and doesn't qualify a person for Social Security benefits, provide or change immigration status, authorize work in the U.S., or serve as identification outside the federal tax system.
Can an insurer turn me down for having no credit history?
Texas Insurance Code §559.052(b) says an insurer may not consider an absence of credit information, or an inability to determine credit information, as a factor in underwriting or rating a policy unless it has statistical, actuarial or reasonable underwriting information showing that the absence could result in loss differences; treats the person as having neutral credit information; or excludes credit information and uses only other underwriting criteria.
Can an insurer turn me down because of my national origin?
Texas Insurance Code §544.002 says a person may not refuse to insure someone, limit the person's coverage or charge a different rate for the same coverage because of the person's race, color, religion or national origin. TDI's guide says the same in its own words: an insurance company may not turn you down or charge you more because of your race, color, religion or national origin.
What happens if no company will sell a car insurance policy?
TDI says a person can apply for coverage through the Texas Automobile Insurance Plan Association (TAIPA) after being turned down for auto liability coverage by at least two insurance companies in the past 60 days. According to TDI, TAIPA offers the minimum liability coverage the law requires, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and $2,500 of personal injury protection, and an insurance agent can apply for the person.
Why does an insurer ask for my Social Security or Medicare number after a crash?
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) explains that Section 111 of the MMSEA requires liability insurers, no-fault insurers and workers' compensation plans to report information about Medicare beneficiaries. The model form CMS publishes first asks whether the person is, or has ever been, enrolled in Medicare; only if the answer is yes does it ask for the Medicare number or, if that is unavailable, the Social Security number, of which it allows giving only the last 5 digits. It also has a section for listing reasons for not providing the information.
Does the InjuryClaimGuide form ask for a Social Security number?
No. As of October 29, 2026, the InjuryClaimGuide intake form does not ask for a Social Security number or for immigration status. An attorney can explain which documents a particular case needs.

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