Property Insurance
 

I have been told that I cannot get property Insurance without a Social Security number. I don't have one being a visitor, albeit a regular one.

How do expats, e.g. in Florida, get insurance on property that they have bought.

I have a house in Missouri.

Any help would be appreciated

Re: Property Insurance
 

Whoever told you that is an idiot.

Ian

Re: Property Insurance
 

The one thing there is NO shortage of is Realtors and Insurance Agents.

Re: Property Insurance
 

He's not entirely off the mark.

We are closing on our house in Houston and July 1 had new banking regulations that banks cannot disperse mortgage monies without an SSN.

In the interim, I'm calling home owner's insurance agencies and 75% of them have said to me that both of us must have SSNs in order for them to do credit checks prior to a quote.

Things are a-changin'

Re: Property Insurance
 

GW, go see a local, hometown kind of insurance man - I'm sure in Missouri you can't walk too far and not stumble upon one. Talk to him/her.

Secondly, have you tried online insurances? Like Amica.com? Unsure if they insure in Missouri, but something like that.

And of course, if you own property, then you pay taxes - contact your local councilperson for your area. Or the local tax assessor and have them start getting the info you need.

Re: Property Insurance
 

It is the local insurance people who say that I need a SS number

Re: Property Insurance
 

Find somebody who knows what they are talking about.

Re: Property Insurance
 

We just changed to AAA homeowners and they never asked for a SSI just loan details etc.

Re: Property Insurance
 

in Florida .. they probably have to use citizen ...Insurance of last resort
as they dont live it it year round ..they get what is known as a fire policy

Re: Property Insurance
 

No, they're not. There have always been stupid and/or uninformed mortgage and insurance agents who insist on an SSN when they do not strictly need one. I have never yet encountered such a situation where escalating my case up through senior management hasn't miraculously resolved the "legal requirement" or "company policy" needing an SSN.

Except for the DMV.

Re: Property Insurance
 

In Texas? I got a driver's licence without a SSN.

Re: Property Insurance
 

Since it is a truth universally acknowledged, that DMV employees are incompetent and have no idea what the actual rules are regulations for their particular state really are, the fact that you did or did not get a driver's license with or without an SSN in any state of the union means absolutely nothing ... :(

Re: Property Insurance
 

Just as you should have. My point was rhetorical, and more about the psychotically moronic DMV employees and their "interpretation" of rules than about the legal requirement to show those buggers a SSN. :)

Re: Property Insurance
 

DMV doesn't need SSN in at least 6 states that I know.

As for homeowner's insurance, if I want a lower rate, lower premiums - I want to allow a credit check. The SSN is for the credit check. (However, again, check into your own state laws and/or talk to your councilpeople.) If you are part time resident, then say so and ask around who has coverage for holiday homes instead of primary residencies.

I called a friend at a national insurance (begins with N and ends with 'wide') and he says that with the SSN you'll get a full credit check and a much better rate. Without SSN, you'll be immediately considered high risk.

So, talk to some agents, explain the situation - see who'll talk to you and then take a decision on the price of not supplying an SSN.

Also, ask them if an ITIN is acceptable. Anyone can apply for one via IRS, and a credit check can be done on them like an SSN. ITINs are given regardless of immigration status. Just apply for one and use that.

Re: Property Insurance
 

when I read "I have been told that I cannot get property Insurance without a Social Security number" I immediately thought the property was in AZ.

Ofcourse, you could always just do nothing and the lender will place insurance on it for you/themselves..... at about 3 times a normal premium and prob ding your record.

If anyone is thinking about purchasing a bankowned property, definitely check into insurance beforehand because some insurance companies aren't touching bankowned properties.