IF I FILL IN A ONLINE AUTO INSURANCE QUOTE ,GIVE THEM INFORMATION LIKE MY SS# AM I AT RISK FOR IDENITY THEFT?

Usually you are not legally compelled to provide your Social Security number to private businesses unless you are involved in a transaction in which the Internal Revenue Service requires notification. The Patriot Act requires financial institutions to verify customers’ identities, which can involve the SSN.

There is no law, however, that prevents businesses from requesting your SSN, and there are few restrictions on what businesses can do with it. But even though you are not legally required to disclose your SSN, the business does not have to provide you with service if you refuse to release it. So in a sense, you are strong-armed into giving your SSN. This is often the case when applying for insurance and opening utility accounts.

But don’t give up. Be sure to ask if there is an alternate number that you can provide to the company, such as your driver’s license number. Also ask if you can provide a deposit rather than giving your SSN to the company.
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Generally they only ask if they are looking to run your credit report, which most insurance companies will do when evaluating you for coverage.