Why Life Insurance Companies Need Your Social Security Number
For some people, submitting a life insurance application can be a little worrisome. One of the reasons is that your agent will eventually ask you for some quite private information. Your Social Security Number, or SSN, is one of these pieces of information that is necessary.
This may raise a concern for a lot of individuals. Given how frequently we hear about identity theft and Social Security numbers, it seems sense. When someone requests your SSN, it might be pretty unsettling.
[What Uses Your Social Security Number Has The Life Insurance Company?[
The requirement for your Social Security number by life insurance firms has numerous justifications. What they do with that information is as follows:
1. Verification: Life insurance companies must confirm that you are the person who is requesting coverage. They are attempting to stop fraud.
2. Credit Report: During the financial underwriting process, life insurance firms may review your credit report. Your SSN is used to search for recent bankruptcies and other credit concerns that can be viewed as hazardous.
3. Criminal Records: If you’ve ever been convicted of a serious crime, it can hurt your chances of getting life insurance. Employers can verify your criminal history and records using your SSN.
4. Medical Information Bureau: The life insurance provider looks at your past life insurance applications using the Medical Information Bureau (MIB). When referring to the MIB data, they use your SSN. Your information will therefore be included in your MIB report if you have previously sought for coverage but were rejected for life insurance.
5. Medication History: Life insurance firms have access to a database of prescription drugs and other medications. They look at your medical history during underwriting using this database. Before presenting you with a policy, it’s one of the methods they evaluate your risk class or health class rating. Your SSN is required to access this database.
]Is it legal for insurance companies to demand my Social Security number?[
Yes, but you’re not compelled to answer. The life insurance providers, however, are not compelled by law to make you an offer either. They are not required to sell you a policy if you don’t meet their conditions.
[What will happen if I refuse to give my social security number to the insurance company?]
It implies that the insurance provider won’t be able to identify the precise applicant when a life insurance application is made. They won’t be able to undertake underwriting with confidence if they can’t verify the applicant. Because of that, the life insurance provider won’t even consider giving you a policy.
[What Takes Place If I Lack A SSN?]
When applying for life insurance coverage, the majority of firms will demand that you supply your Social Security number. There are some, though, that don’t demand one. Before approving your coverage, some firms will want another form of identification.
Some businesses will accept a green card or visa along with the application.
[Are Social Security Numbers Required For My Beneficiaries?]
Usually not. The key justification is that an SSN with the beneficiary’s name is not necessary for a life insurance policy. A Social Security number is not required, and you can leave your death benefit to anybody you like.
To receive the death benefit, your beneficiary will need to present identification. They’ll have to provide documentation to substantiate their identity as the beneficiary of your coverage. To facilitate the ID process, it is usually a good idea to have your beneficiary’s birthdate and residential address on hand. Once more, having an SSN is not necessary, but it facilitates identification and the receipt of the policy’s death benefit.
[To sum up:]
The basic line is that practically every life insurance company will require you to supply your Social Security number when you apply for life insurance. This won’t be a problem for the majority of folks. The majority of applicants are aware that this is usual practise and voluntarily supply these facts.
However, some life insurance firms may let you call in and provide your SSN over the phone if you don’t feel comfortable providing it on your application. Your Life Insurance Blog agent will, of course, constantly collaborate with you to help keep your sensitive information secure and safe.
Très bien