Here's what you need to know when driving in Alaska
Across the Last Frontier State, there are 31,108 miles of road just waiting to be driven. We’ll get you prepped, then you take the wheel.
Cheap car insurance in Alaska
What's the cheapest car insurance in Alaska?
| Rank | Company Name | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | USAA | $1,037 |
| 2 | State Farm | $1,097 |
| 3 | Umialik | $1,239 |
| 4 | Progressive | $1,505 |
| 5 | GEICO | $1,797 |
| 6 | Safeco | $2,476 |
| 7 | Allstate | $2,943 |
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Cheap Insurance for Good Drivers in Alaska
Drivers with good driving records typically enjoy lower car insurance costs than drivers with histories of speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, or DUI citations. Alaska drivers without a recent at-fault accident save 34% on their car insurance, on average — a bit more than the national average of 32%. In addition to earning a cheaper premium for driving incident-free, you may qualify for a safe-driving bonus through your car insurance company. The amount of these discounts may vary, but they typically run between 5 and 10%.
| Rating Factor | $ Savings | % Savings |
|---|---|---|
| No Traffic Tickets | $228 | 16.60% |
| No Accidents | $613 | 34.89% |
| Good Credit | $842 | 42.39% |
Cheap Insurance for Young Drivers in Alaska
Young drivers (those between the ages of 16 and 25) pay extraordinarily high auto insurance rates, with those aged 16-19 paying the most expensive premiums of all. Because of the risk presented by inexperienced drivers, teens pay more than three times the national average for car insurance. In Alaska, the typical teen driver pays $4,180 per year, which is less than the national average for teens but almost four times more than the Alaska average for all drivers.
| Age | Annual Rate with Parents | Annual Rate Alone |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | $4,373 | $5,423 |
| 17 | $4,152 | $4,815 |
| 18 | $3,999 | $4,104 |
| 19 | $3,595 | $2,985 |
Cheap Car Insurance for Bad Drivers in Alaska
Drivers with clean driving records — meaning no at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, DUIs, or other citations — typically pay less for car insurance. In Alaska, your car insurance premiums will increase by 32% after a DUI, 34% after an at-fault accident, and 16% after a speeding ticket. These post-incident rate hikes roughly align with national averages. If you have a sparkling clean driving history, be sure to inquire about your insurer's safe driver discount.
| Rating Factor | Annual Rate | % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| At-Fault Accident | $1,758 | 34.89% |
| DUI | $1,691 | 32.30% |
| Speeding Violation | $1,372 | 16.60% |
| Bad Credit | $1,986 | 42.39% |
Paying too much for auto insurance? Enter your ZIP code below to start shopping for a new policy.
What are the Best Car Insurance Companies in Alaska?
Every auto insurance company emphasizes its low rates. But just like with any service, the cheapest car insurance option isn't always the best selection. Considering the financial stakes, it's worthwhile to do the homework to find the insurance policy that insures your vehicle adequately in the event of an incident. Hunt for the best value, instead of settling for the cheapest auto insurance in Alaska.
Compare top insurance companies' financial strength and claims satisfaction levels to better understand the level of service you'll receive. Claims satisfaction — measured by J.D. Power — is ranked on a scale of 2 to 5, with 5 being "among the best" and 2 being "the rest." Financial strength — calculated by A.M. Best and ranging from "Superior" to "Poor" — assesses an insurer's financial strength and ability to fulfill its policy and contractual obligations.
| Insurance Company | Claims Satisfaction (J.D. Power) | Financial Strength (A.M. Best) |
| Allstate | 3 | Superior |
| GEICO | 3 | Superior |
| Progressive | 3 | Superior |
| Safeco | 3 | Excellent |
| State Farm | 3 | Superior |
| Umialik | Not Rated | Superior |
| USAA | 5 | Superior |
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What is the Best Car Insurance Coverage in Alaska?
The minimum allowed insurance in the state of Alaska is $50,000 Bodily Injury per person, $100,000 Bodily Injury per accident, and $25,000 Property Damage per accident.
If you elect the minimum required coverage in Alaska, expect to pay a mean of $473 annually. This is less than the national average by 28%. If you choose higher-level car insurance coverage, you can select a policy with comprehensive and collision coverage, which will protect against damages caused by car-vs.-car crashes, auto theft, or weather incidents. However, better auto insurance carries a price: in Alaska, a comprehensive policy with a $1,000 deductible costs $1,037, 120% more than liability-only coverage. For a comprehensive policy with a $500 deductible, expect to pay 149% more than you would for basic liability-only coverage.
Examine average costs for liability-only and comprehensive coverage levels in the following table.
| Location | Liability-Only | Comprehensive — $1,000 Deductible | Comprehensive — $500 Deductible |
| Alaska | $472.50 | $1,037.38 | $1,176.93 |
| National Average | $657.66 | $1,241.26 | $1,397.94 |
Car insurance laws
State minimum insurance requirements in Alaska
In Alaska, drivers are required to maintain liability insurance coverage at minimum levels of:
- Bodily Injury $50,000 per person
- Bodily Injury $100,000 per accident
- Property Damage $25,000 per accident
Optional coverage in Alaska (varies by carrier):
- Comprehensive
- Collision
- Medical Payments
- Rental Car Reimbursement
- Roadside Assistance
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury
Alaska Car Insurance FAQs
Does Alaska require car insurance?
Yes. If you are going to be driving your vehicle on public roads, the car needs to be registered and insured at Alaska's minimum liability requirements. Alaska requires limits of $50,000 per person in bodily injury payments, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 for the property damage you cause.
Is Alaska a no-fault insurance state?
No. Alaska is an at-fault state, meaning you are required to cover any damages — bodily injury or property damage — you cause in a collision.
How much does car insurance cost in Alaska cities?
Car insurance companies calculate your rate based on many factors, location of the vehicle being an important one. The cheapest car insurance is found in Ketchikan, Alaska, and the most expensive in Anchorage, Alaska.
| Rank | City | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anchorage | $1,501 |
| 2 | Fairbanks | $1,321 |
| 3 | Wasilla | $1,309 |
| 4 | College | $1,281 |
| 5 | Sterling | $1,241 |
| 6 | Kodiak | $1,164 |
| 7 | Juneau | $1,057 |
| 8 | Sitka | $1,044 |
| 9 | Ketchikan | $1,020 |
Recent Alaska Car Insurance Questions and Answers
What is the No Pay, No Play law in Alaska? What happens if both parties in an accident are uninsured?
Unless you were under the influence, drove recklessly, acted with intent, or fled the scene in a hit-and-run, I don't necessarily think you could be charged for a felony if you've been cooperative. However, a suit could be filed against you for damages. Regardless of both parties' insurance status, if you were at fault for the accident and the other party can prove this, then you need to pay for the damages caused.
Why do I have to pay a deductible if I was hit by an uninsured driver?
Unfortunately, recovering the cost of your deductible, if the other driver is uninsured, is up to you. I would definitely recommend asking to speak with a supervisor at your insurance company to see if you have any other options available, but you may have to pay the deductible simply to start the repair process.
Can I get a 1 day insurance policy?
Most insurance policies run for 6 or 12 month terms. You can always purchase a policy and cancel whenever you would like but you may not get any refund of the cancellation happens in the first month of the term.
How Do Tickets Impact Alaska Car Insurance Rates?
If you receive a ticket or citation, your car insurance rates will probably get more expensive. By how much depends on the specific citation, your insurer's pricing standards, and differing local insurance regulations and risks. That's why tickets may have a different impact on insurance in your state compared to the national average.
Below is a look at typical auto insurance rates in Alaska after a few common citations.
| Violation | Avg. Annual Auto Insurance Rate | % Insurance Rate Increase | $ Insurance Rate Increase |
| Hit and Run | $1,979 | 65% | $781 |
| Refused Breathalyzer/Chemical Test | $1,821 | 52% | $622 |
| DUI | $1,821 | 52% | $622 |
| Racing | $1,730 | 44% | $532 |
| Reckless Driving | $1,765 | 47% | $567 |
| Driving with a Suspended License | $1,717 | 43% | $518 |
| At-Fault Accident | $1,806 | 51% | $607 |
| Driving with an Open Container | $1,449 | 21% | $251 |
| Operating a Vehicle Without Permission | $1,477 | 23% | $278 |
| Passing a School Bus | $1,538 | 28% | $339 |
| Improper Passing | $1,477 | 23% | $278 |
| Following Too Closely | $1,477 | 23% | $278 |
| Speeding | $1,440 | 20% | $242 |
| Failure to Stop at a Red Light | $1,477 | 23% | $278 |
| Illegal Turn | $1,477 | 23% | $278 |
| Driving Wrong Way/Wrong Lane | $1,477 | 23% | $278 |
| Failure to Yield | $1,477 | 23% | $278 |
| Speeding in a School Zone | $1,440 | 20% | $242 |
| Driving Too Slowly | $1,440 | 20% | $242 |
| Distracted Driving | $1,465 | 22% | $267 |
| Driving with Expired Registration | $1,280 | 7% | $82 |
| Failure to Show Documents | $1,280 | 7% | $82 |
| Not-at-Fault Accident | $1,252 | 4% | $54 |
| Failure to Use Child Safety Restraint | $1,198 | 0% | $0 |
| Failure to Wear a Seat Belt | $1,198 | 0% | $0 |
| Driving Without Lights | $1,198 | 0% | $0 |
Alaska Tour Guide Scholarship
At The Zebra, we know better than most just what a pain buying car insurance can be. We also know that students suffer from higher-than-average policy rates. Talk about a double-whammy. That’s why, this year, we’ve decided to continue The Zebra’s annual scholarship with the goal of helping to alleviate the financial pressures of college-bound students in the Alaska area, while also getting an insider view of the Last Frontier.
Prompt
So, students, we want to see your favorite road trip destination(s) in your state— from your unique perspective. If it makes sense to hit the open road and be our virtual tour guide, that's great! But there are no limits to what we're looking for: a narrated animation, a slideshow of memorabilia, an illustrated map of the best roadside attractions on the way. This is a chance for you to showcase any place you love in as an original way as possible.
How do I choose a location?
The length of the road trip to your feature destination is inconsequential. So if you have an awesome spot in mind that's just two miles from home, we want to see it.
Qualifications
Applicants must be currently enrolled at or planning to attend a four-year university, graduate program, community college, or trade school located in the continental United States. Upon notification, winner(s) must supply a current proof of enrollment or letter of acceptance.
How to Apply
1. Create a video
Your original video should not exceed 2 minutes
2. Post online
The video must be hosted on YouTube or Vimeo
3. Submit by email
Email your submission to scholarships@thezebra.com
4. Please include...
your name, address, and phone number when you submit
Details
Award
Selected winner(s) will be awarded a check for $1,000
Deadline
Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. CST on December 31st, 2020
Notification
Winner(s) will be selected and notified by email by January 31st, 2021
Judges: The Zebra
The winner will be selected based on creativity in the content and presentation
*Upon notification, winner(s) must also supply a current proof of enrollment at a four-year university, graduate program, community college, or trade school located in the continental United States.
Fine Print
By participating, entrants represent that the video submitted is their sole and original work and does not infringe the intellectual property rights of any other party. In other words, no copyrighted music or images may be used.
Employees of The Zebra and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate in the contest.
Written credits for any technical or talent positions (e.g., editor, director, actors) should be included with your submission, along with any sources used to create the video.
