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Alaska Auto Insurance Information

A study was conducted a few years ago that estimated that as many as 1/3 of all drivers on the road in Alaska either do not carry any insurance. A few laws have been passed since then to combat this terrible problem for Alaskans.

Alaska State Department of Motor Vehicles requires that all drivers on highways of the state of Alaska carry a minimum of 50/100/25 BIPD.

Valid Operator's License Required 9.28.019

It is unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle when that person's driver's license, privilege to drive, or privilege to obtain a license has been cancelled, suspended, or revoked in this or another jurisdiction. Violation of this ordinance may result in the following mandatory sentences:

• First Offense: Probation, 90 day license revocation, 80 hours community work service, vehicle impounded for 30 days.     
• Second Offense: 10 days in jail, $500 fine, 90 day license revocation, 80 hours community work service, vehicle forfeited. 

Penalties increase to a maximum of 1 year in jail and a $5,000 fine.

Driving Under The Influence 9.28.020 
.08 It's The Law 

A person commits the crime of driving under the influence if he operates, drives, or is in physical control of a motor vehicle, watercraft, or aircraft while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage, inhalant, depressant, hallucinogenic, stimulant, or narcotic drug (defined in AS 11.71.140-190).

A person who drives, operates, or is in physical control of a motor vehicle, watercraft or aircraft in the municipality shall be considered to have given consent to a breath test. Refusal to submit to a breath test carries the same penalties as if convicted of DUI.

• First Offense: 3 days in jail, $1,500 fine, 90 day license revocation, 30-day vehicle impound.     
• Second Offense: 20 days in jail, $3,000 fine, 1 year license revocation, vehicle forfeited.     
• Third Offense: 60 days in jail, $4,000 fine, 3 year license revocation, vehicle forfeited. 

Penalties increase to a maximum of 360 days in jail and a $7,000 fine.

Proof of Insurance Required 9.28.030 

The owner or operator of a motor vehicle must have a current liability insurance policy in effect when operating the vehicle within the municipality.

It is unlawful:

1. For any person to operate a motor vehicle without proof of insurance in the vehicle.    
2. For any person to fail to produce proof of insurance to a police officer upon demand.   
• Violation of sections 1 and 2 of this ordinance will result in a $100 fine.
3. It is unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle without the required insurance in effect at the time of operation. 

• Violation of section 3 of this ordinance may result in the following sentences: 
  • First Offense: No mandatory minimum.     
  • Second Offense: 3 days in jail with 3 days suspended, $250 fine, vehicle impounded for 30 days.     
  • Third Offense: 3 days in jail, $500 fine, vehicle forfeited.     
  • Fourth Offense: 20 days in jail, $1,000 fine, vehicle forfeited.

Components of your Alaskan Auto Policy

BIPD or Bodily Injury and Property Damage

Commonly referred to as Liability Insurance for your automobile, this coverage is paid out in the event of an At-Fault Accident. This covers damage sustained to other drivers and the property owned by others up to the specified limit on the insurance policy.

UM / UIM - Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist

This coverage pays occupants of your vehicle in the event you are involved in an accident with another person and it isnt your fault, however they failed to carry minimum Liability BIPD coverage or none at all. This coverage will also take over in the event that damages exceed the limits the other driver has on their policy.

Comprehensive Coverage

The Comprehensive or Comp Deductible covers your vehicle in the case of losses classified as other than collision. Meaning that it covers pretty much everything else that may happen to your car except for cases where you are involved in an accident or collision that is your fault.

Collision Coverage

Collision coverage covers your vehicle in the event of an At-Fault loss by a driver of your car. Collision is generally defined as a crash involving another vehicle or object and roll-over or upset of the vehicle. Collision claims are generally counted against the driver of the automobile at the time of the collision. When you get an Auto Quote from Get Covered USA, you should indicate if you have had this type of loss for the most accurate quote possible. Many companies will not accept a driver with certain incidents on their driving record or some will accept them but charge an inflated rated because of the accident. There is a different appetite for each company when it comes to the type of driver presented as an insured. Some dont rate as harshly as others for at-fault accidents while others will.

Towing

Towing or Roadside Assistance coverage is an endorsement on your auto policy that will allow your car to be towed at no cost or at a pre-specified covered amount on your policy. The coverage also often allows for roadside assistance in the event of key lockout, or run out of gas type of situations as well. Towing coverage often is very inexpensive. Some companies require that you have Physical Damage (comp + collision) coverage on the car to obtain towing coverage.

Glass Waiver of Deductible

Glass Waiver of Deductible or Glass Buyback coverage is specifically for coverage on your windshield or other auto windows. Glass breakage is perhaps the most common claim made overall for automobiles. Insurance companies will offer to you at additional cost, the option of having a $0 deductible to replace glass in your auto. This coverage is tied to your Comprehensive deductible, so you must have that in order to benefit from the glass coverage endorsement.

Medical or Medpay

Medical Coverage on your Auto Policy is a First Pay coverage. We at Get Covered USA highly recommend this coverage because of this. For example, you are involved in an accident (regardless of fault) and you are injured and taken to a hospital. You will immediately begin to accumulate medical bills. If you have medpay coverage then the insurance company will pay these as they become due. The alternatives are for your health insurance to cover the bills, which many treatments may be declined or if you dont have any health coverage at all you will be responsible for everything out of pocket. BIPD, UM and UIM will cover your medical damages, however these coverages do not kick in until all treatments have been completed! Medpay coverage might be available under a Liability Only type policy!

Additional Points of Interest for Alaska Insurance

• The Minimum Liability amount you must carry according to Alaska State Law is 50/100/25 BIPD

• The Alaska Department of Motor Vehicles or AZ MVD also requires that you carry insurance on the vehicle to avoid suspension in registration. If your registration is suspended you might have to carry an SR22 for 3 years.

• DUI's also create a need for the insured driver to carry an SR22, DUI's and Refusal to submit breathylizer tests extend the SR22 requirement to 5 years.

• The top insurance carriers in Alaska by policy count are State Farm, Allstate, Farmers Insurance

• Flood Insurance is sometimes needed in Alaska but the need for Earthquake Insurance is very low.

• The top insurance carriers in Alaska by policy count are State Farm, Allstate, Farmers Insurance

• Many Insurance companies in Alaska use your consumer report or credit report in part to determine your insurance rate. If you have negative items on your equifax, experian or transunion reports it is possible they show up in the choicepoint database.

• If you own a home or have a significant amount of money saved, you should consider carrying higher limits of liability or BIPD coverage as well as increased Personal Liability Coverage on your home. An Umbrella policy will pick up excess liability coverage above 250/500/100 limits on auto and 500,000 on home. Ask your insurance agent to give you more information on Umbrella Policies!

• Many people pay their Homeowners Insurance Premium out of Escrow, others prefer to pay it directly to the company themselves.

• Using an EFT or Electronic Funds Transfer Method will give you a discount off of your insurance rate with most insurance companies. It might not be reflected in your Auto or Home Insurance quote so make sure you ask about it if you are ok with this payment method.

Types of Vehicles Registered by City in Alaska

Alaska Insurance Laws Title 21 Code

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