Breaking Through the Pack Ice: Exploring Alaska Insurance
Truth be told, finding good Alaska insurance quotes without a solid understanding of the unique demands and requirements that are inherent to insurance in the state of Alaska can cost you in more ways than one. Failing to meet Alaska’s base requirements for auto insurance, for example, can result in a 6 month suspension of your driver’s license, while failure to show proof of insurance can get your car impounded inside Anchorage city limits (whether you’re insured or not). And where homeowners insurance is concerned, the Alaska Department of Commerce’s Division of Insurance notes that homeowners insurance rates in Fairbanks, for example, can range from $492 annually on up to $1,907 for the exact same coverage on a $200,000 home, solely depending on which provider you choose. With discrepancies like that being the rule, not the exception, in Alaska, it’s clear that exploring the world of Alaska insurance is one expedition you don’t want to undertake alone in the Frontier State.
Finding a Guide in the Quest for Reputable Alaska Insurance Quotes
If you weren’t already in-the-know, by now it should be clear that determining which insurance coverage you need, and how much coverage to invest in, can be a lot like navigating a long Alaskan winter night without a flashlight. The good news is that there’s no need to fret. If you’re looking for quality insurance coverage of any kind in Alaska, this short primer on insurance basics in Alaska from NetQuote .com should help provide you with some initial bearings.
Car Insurance in Alaska
Automobile insurance tops the needs of most Alaskans on the hunt for good insurance coverage and better rates. First and foremost, you need to know that Alaska is a Tort State when it comes to auto insurance. In layman’s terms, that means that you’re required to carry minimum coverage of $50,000/$100,000 for Bodily Injury and Death, and a minimum of $25,000 in Property Damage Coverage. As for costs, according to the Alaska Division of Insurance, if you’re a single, 25 year old male in Wasilla, that means you’ll pay $902 annually for basic coverage, which is right in the neighborhood of the state average of $973 as determined by a recent study by the Insurance Information Institute (III). How does that compare to the lower 48? With a national average cost of $795 per year according to the III, even auto insurance premiums are bigger in the Frontier State.
Homeowners Insurance in Alaska
If you’re in the market for homeowners insurance in Alaska, you’re dealing with a different animal altogether. Homeowners insurance isn’t required by the state of Alaska like auto insurance, though if you’re paying down a mortgage there’s a good chance your mortgage provider won’t give you the option to forego it. Also, much more than with auto insurance, Alaska insurance quotes for homeowners insurance can vary widely depending on a host of factors, such as the age of your home, its value, the type of construction, and even the distance to the nearest fire station, just to name a few. That said, the average home insurance rate for Alaska as determined by a NAIC (National Association of Insurance Commissioners) study runs about $850, almost $200 above the national average. And that’s without figuring in optional coverage such as Earthquake Insurance that most Alaskans ought to consider (after all, Alaska does experiences more earthquakes – 1,000 a month on average – than anywhere else in the United States). In short, knowing exactly the types and amounts of coverage you need is critical to getting the best deal on home insurance in Alaska when you start fishing for quotes.
How to Find Best Alaska Insurance Quotes
Whether you’re looking for basic auto or home insurance, or are ready to delve in the more complicated worlds of business insurance or health and life insurance, the biggest favor you can do for yourself is to take advantage of those 20 hour nights, brew up a strong pot (or two) of Joe, and get to know Alaska insurance inside and out. Once you’re confident in the type of insurance you need, and the amounts of coverage you’re looking for, the next step is to hunt down as many Alaska insurance quotes as possible. The business of insurance can be a cutthroat one, and the more you can compare offers for the best rates, and even play one provider’s estimates off the other, the better deals you’re likely to get. Whether you choose to do the legwork on your own, or opt to take advantage of a quote finding service like NetQuote.com, comparison shopping is the best way to ensure you get the insurance coverage you need at rates you can afford if you’re in the market for Alaska Insurance in the Land of the Midnight Sun.
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