Quick Answer
Yes — some life insurers accept an ITIN in place of an SSN. Foresters runs an ITIN program for people without an SSN who have lived in the U.S. for at least 3 years, and Guardian and Nationwide list an ITIN as an accepted ID number. No law requires an SSN, but each insurer sets its own residency and visa rules.
No SSN is legally required to buy life insurance in the U.S. — but insurers decide who they cover. Foresters, Guardian and Nationwide name the ITIN on their own pages; many insurers also ask about your visa, green card or how long you've lived in the U.S. The NAIC's life insurance basics guide explains how coverage works.
- SSN required? Not at every insurer — Foresters, Guardian and Nationwide accept an ITIN.
- Insurers whose own pages name the ITIN: Foresters, Guardian and Nationwide.
- Policy types available: term, whole life, guaranteed-issue ($5,000–$25,000), and AD&D.
- Fastest route: an independent broker who specializes in immigrant applicants.
Want the cheapest, highest-coverage option? Start with the term life insurance with an ITIN guide. You may also want car insurance without an SSN or health insurance without an SSN.
Why Does Life Insurance Matter for ITIN Holders?
For many immigrant families, one income earner supports a household in the U.S. and family members abroad. Without an SSN, there's no Social Security survivor benefit, and many workers have no employer life insurance. A life insurance policy can be the difference between a family staying in their home and financial collapse.
Life insurance proceeds are paid directly to beneficiaries and generally aren't taxable income. Your beneficiaries can be anyone you designate, including family members abroad in some policies.
What Types of Life Insurance Are Available Without an SSN?
Four types of life insurance are available without an SSN using an ITIN: term life, which covers a set 10-, 20-, or 30-year period at the lowest cost; whole life, which is permanent and builds cash value; guaranteed-issue final expense policies of $5,000–$25,000 with no medical exam; and accidental death (AD&D) coverage.
The FTC's guide to life insurance explains how each type works.
Term Life Insurance
Covers you for a specific period — typically 10, 20, or 30 years. Pays out only if you die during the term. Lower premiums for higher coverage amounts.
✓ Best value — most coverage per dollar ✓ Available to ITIN holders at several insurers ✗ Requires full medical underwriting ✗ No cash value if you outlive the termWhole Life Insurance
Permanent coverage that lasts your entire life as long as premiums are paid. Builds cash value over time that you can borrow against.
✓ Permanent — never expires ✓ Builds tax-deferred cash value ✗ Higher premiums than term ✗ More complex underwritingGuaranteed Issue / Final Expense
Small policies ($5,000–$25,000) that require no medical exam or health questions. Designed to cover funeral costs and small debts.
✓ No medical exam required ✓ Easiest to qualify for ✗ Low coverage amounts ✗ Higher cost per dollar of coverageAccidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
Pays only if death or injury results from an accident — not illness. Often offered as an add-on or as a standalone low-cost policy.
✓ Very affordable premiums ✓ Minimal underwriting ✗ Only covers accidents, not illness ✗ Limited situations trigger payoutWhich Life Insurers Accept ITIN?
Three insurers say on their own pages that they accept an ITIN: Foresters, Guardian and Nationwide. Transamerica, Mutual of Omaha, State Farm and Corebridge (formerly AIG) don't say whether an ITIN works. Each insurer also checks your residency, visa or time in the U.S., so ask before you apply.
- Foresters — Yes. Its ITIN program, launched in 2024, is for people who live and work (or are retired) in the U.S., pay taxes, have an ITIN and no SSN, and have lived in the U.S. for the past 3 consecutive years.
- Guardian — Yes. Its document checklist for non-citizens lists an "SSN or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)"; eligibility depends on your green card or visa.
- Nationwide — Yes. Non-citizens can apply with an SSN or ITIN plus a valid ID such as a visa, green card or passport; approved visa types and countries vary by product.
- Transamerica — Doesn't say. It has a foreign nationals program, but its pages don't mention the ITIN.
- Mutual of Omaha, State Farm, Corebridge (formerly AIG) — Don't say. Ask an agent before you apply.
Verify before applying
Insurer policies for ITIN acceptance vary by state, product type, and underwriting guidelines — and they change. The most reliable path is working with an independent insurance agent who specializes in non-citizen and immigrant applicants. They can shop multiple carriers at once and know which ones currently accept ITIN in your state. Applying through agents who don't know this space can waste time and result in unnecessary hard applications on your record.
What Documents Do I Need to Apply for Life Insurance?
To apply for life insurance with an ITIN, you typically need 6 things: your IRS-issued ITIN, a government photo ID such as a passport, proof of U.S. residence, a U.S. bank account for premium auto-pay, medical information for underwriting, and beneficiary details including each person's name and date of birth.
- ITIN — your IRS-issued Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
- Government-issued photo ID — passport (most reliable), foreign consular ID, or state driver's license
- Proof of U.S. residence — utility bill, lease agreement, or bank statement showing your U.S. address
- U.S. bank account — for premium payment; most insurers require a U.S. account for auto-pay
- Medical information — for term and whole life underwriting, expect health questions and possibly a medical exam
- Beneficiary information — name, relationship, and date of birth of the person(s) you want to receive the benefit
Name your beneficiaries carefully
Life insurance proceeds pass directly to your named beneficiaries — they don't go through probate. Make sure your beneficiary designations are up to date. You can name people who live outside the U.S. as beneficiaries on many policies, though some insurers have restrictions. Ask your agent specifically about naming beneficiaries abroad.
How Much Life Insurance Coverage Do I Need?
A common starting point is 10–12 times your annual income. This replaces your income for roughly a decade while your family adjusts and children grow up. For a breadwinner earning $40,000 a year, that means a $400,000–$480,000 policy.
Also factor in:
- Mortgage or rent balance remaining
- Outstanding debts (car loan, personal loan)
- Children's education costs
- Any financial support you send to family abroad
- Final expenses (funeral, medical bills — typically $15,000–$30,000)
Term life is usually the cheapest way to buy a large amount of coverage, and premiums rise with age, so the earlier you buy, the lower the premium you lock in. Get written quotes from at least 2 insurers before you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my immigration status affect my life insurance payout?
Not if your application was accurate. Once a policy is issued and premiums are paid, the death benefit is a contractual obligation of the insurer. During the contestability period, usually the first 2 years, an insurer can deny a claim if the application misstated facts, including residency, so answer every question truthfully.
Can I name my spouse or parents in another country as beneficiary?
Many insurers allow international beneficiaries, but policies vary. Some require beneficiaries to have a U.S. bank account or Social Security Number to receive the payout; others pay internationally via wire transfer. Ask your agent specifically about international beneficiaries before purchasing.
What happens to my policy if I leave the U.S.?
Most U.S. life insurance policies remain in force regardless of where you live, as long as you continue paying premiums. Some policies have residency requirements for initial underwriting but do not require ongoing U.S. residence to stay active. Review the policy terms or ask your agent about continuity if you travel frequently or might relocate.
Is car insurance or health insurance also available without an SSN?
Yes. You can buy car insurance without an SSN, though each insurer decides whether it quotes with an ITIN or a foreign license. Health insurance is also available without an SSN in several states through Medicaid and marketplace plans for qualified immigrants. See our guides on car insurance without SSN and health insurance without SSN.