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Flood insurance costs in Alaska vary depending on where you live and the risk factors in your area. Building age, construction type and ground elevation are all factors to evaluate.

The majority of homeowners and renters insurance policies don't cover damage from natural disasters such as flooding. Approximately $25,000 in damage costs can be incurred by an inch of water, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

A flood zone map of Alaska will tell you if your home is in a flood zone. Flood insurance may be a good idea even if you live in a low-risk area.


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Flood insurance costs in Alaska average $897 per year, as opposed to $767 per year for the national average.

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The cheapest locations in Alaska for policies are in the Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, while the most expensive rate is in Ketchikan Gateway Borough.

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The Anchorage Muni to Bird Creek Area has had the most floods in Alaska since 1996.

Average Cost of Flood Insurance in Alaska

MoneyGeek's findings reveal that the average flood insurance cost in Alaska is $897 annually. However, your rates may differ. Several factors affect flood insurance costs, including flood-prone areas in your state and property risks. Generally, higher rates are charged in areas where flood risk is moderate or high.

Average Cost of Flood Insurance by County in Alaska

In Alaska, flood insurance costs about $130 more than the national average since there are more flood-prone areas than in most other states.

The cheapest rate in Alaska comes from Hoonah-Angoon Census Area at around $270, while the most expensive rate comes from Ketchikan Gateway Borough at roughly $2,321. Below is a table showing average flood insurance rates by county.

Alaska Flood Insurance Cost Per County
County
Average Cost

ANCHORAGE BOROUGH

$834

BETHEL CENSUS AREA

$1,716

DENALI BOROUGH

$346

DILLINGHAM CENSUS AREA

$2,019

FAIRBANKS NORTH STAR BOROUGH

$866

HAINES BOROUGH

$484

HOONAH-ANGOON CENSUS AREA

$270

JUNEAU BOROUGH

$626

KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH

$723

KETCHIKAN GATEWAY BOROUGH

$2,321

MATANUSKA-SUSITNA BOROUGH

$972

NOME CENSUS AREA

$2,255

NORTHWEST ARTIC BOROUGH

$1,027

PETERSBURG CENSUS AREA

$772

SITKA BOROUGH

$1,092

SKAGWAY MUNICIPALITY

$383

VALDEZ-CORDOVA CENSUS AREA

$1,005

WADE HAMPTON CENSUS AREA

$544

YUKON-KOYUKUK CENSUS AREA

$716

Companies That Offer Flood Insurance in Alaska

You can purchase flood insurance from the NFIP or private companies. With private providers, you can opt for a base policy, which is similar to NFIP policies that cover claims up to a specified amount, or an excess policy, which provides additional coverage in the event of a claim exceeding the primary policy limits.

It is ideal to use a private provider if your NFIP coverage is inadequate for your needs or you don't live within the NFIP's service area.

Private Flood Insurance Providers in AK and Their Contact Numbers
Company
Contact

Neptune Flood

727-202-4815

Hiscox - FloodPlus

866-283-7545

FloodSimple Insurance Services

844-803-8788

Chubb

866-324-8222

Zurich Insurance Group

800-382-2150

Swiss Re

800-241-8310

Berkshire Hathaway

800-673-2465

Private Market Flood

877-356-6348

Several insurance companies offer flood insurance through partnerships with the NFIP. You can find their contact information as well as company information in the following table.

NFIP-Participating Flood Insurance Providers in State and Their Contact Numbers
Company
Contact

Allstate Insurance Company

(800) 527-2634

American Strategic Ins. Corp.

(866) 274-8765

Assurant

(800) 423-4403

Farmers Insurance Group

(866) 865-2965

Hartford Fire Insurance Co.

(860) 547-7440

Hartford Underwriters Ins. Co.

(800) 296-7542

Homesite Insurance Company

(800) 466-3748

Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance Company

(800) 283-6033

National General Insurance Co

(800) 462-2123

NFIP Direct Servicing Agent

(800) 638-6620

Occidental Fire & Casualty

(800) 780-8423

Pacific Specialty Insurance Company

(800)-303-5000

Philadelphia Indemnity Ins. Co

(877) 672-7945 ext. 8295

Privilege Underwriters

(888) 813-7873

QBE Insurance Corporation

(877) 372-3996

Selective Ins. Co. Of America

(877) 348-0552

USAA General Indemnity Company

(210) 531-USAA (8722)

Westfield Insurance Company

(800) 243-0210

Wright National Flood Ins. Co.

(866) 373-5663

How to Purchase Flood Insurance and Its Coverage Requirements

Buying flood insurance is simple and requires no special qualifications. You can contact the NFIP Hotline (877-336-2627) or speak to your home insurance agent to obtain a policy. It's best to sign up as soon as possible because the NFIP has a 30-day waiting period.

Private insurance companies are another option for purchasing flood insurance, and this option generally has a 10-day waiting period. Verify this timeline with your provider.

What Does Flood Insurance Cover in Alaska?

The contents of your building, as well as its structure, are covered by flood insurance. Flood insurance can assist you in paying for repairs if you live in a flood zone. Even one inch of water can cause up to $25,000 in damage.

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MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP

Weather events and natural phenomena can result in water damage. Flood insurance covers damages caused by these events. Flood insurance does not cover flood damage caused by unnatural water sources, such as broken pipes or leaking appliances.

Damages to cash and paperwork, decks, swimming pools, patios, landscaping, basement items and vehicles are not covered by flood insurance.

Flood Insurance Building Coverage

The building coverage of your home’s flood insurance helps you fix or replace the physical structure of your home if it is damaged by a covered peril. Through the NFIP, coverage of up to $250,000 is available.

Insurance coverage for floods can include the following:

  • Foundation walls
  • Electrical systems
  • Plumbing systems
  • Furnaces, central heating and air conditioning
  • Built-in appliances
  • Permanent carpets
  • Built-in furniture

Flood Insurance Contents Coverage

Contents coverage helps pay for the repair or replacement of belongings damaged by a covered peril. By purchasing flood insurance contents coverage through the NFIP, you can protect yourself up to $100,000.

Flood insurance may cover the following items:

  • Clothing
  • Furniture
  • Electronic equipment
  • Washers and dryers
  • Artwork

Factors That Affect Flood Insurance Costs in Alaska

Before October 2021, your general location and flood risk affected insurance costs. FEMA’s website offers information about historic floods in your state.

Several areas in Alaska haven't experienced flooding since 1996. The Hoonah-Angoon Census Area had no floods and earned the cheapest rate in the state at around $270. The Anchorage Muni to Bird Creek Area experienced 15 floods and costs around $834 annually.

While Ketchikan Gateway Borough doesn't flood frequently, its insurance rates are the highest at roughly $2,321. These premiums are due to the smaller size of the county, where flooding events are fewer but more concentrated.

Risk Rating 2.0

October 2021 marked the introduction of FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0 system. The system evaluates individual property risks, including building structure, foundation type, elevation and replacement and repair costs, along with flood zone mapping.

Risk Rating 2.0 adjusts premiums according to a more personalized approach than its predecessor. It is still important to remember that where you live impacts flood insurance rates. The following factors influence the cost of flood insurance in Alaska.

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    Flood Risk

    Risk Rating 2.0 assesses flood risk on an individual basis, which means your neighbor's flood risk may differ from yours. Furthermore, compared to low-risk flood zones, premiums tend to be higher in moderate and high-risk flood zones.

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    Coverage Type

    Insurance premium rates are affected by the kind of coverage you choose. A higher level of coverage means a more expensive premium. Rates for premiums are also determined by your county.

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    Deductible

    By choosing a higher deductible, you can lower your premium. Deductibles range from $1,000 to $10,000. Whenever a claim is filed, however, this fee must be paid by you.

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    Age of Structure

    Insurers assess the age of a property based on its construction. Insurance premiums are higher for older structures.

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    Structure Design

    Structures with poor structural integrity may require more coverage. Your insurance company will evaluate the construction of your property and factor it into your premiums.

Do You Need Flood Insurance in Alaska?

Lenders and government-backed mortgages require flood insurance in high-risk flood zones. FEMA recommends flood insurance in low and moderate-risk flood zones since every property can be at risk of flooding.

Flood insurance generally isn't included in homeowner's or renter's policies, so you'll need to buy a separate policy from the NFIP or privately. You don't need a presidential disaster declaration to file a claim with your insurer. Also, federal disaster assistance grants are limited to $5,000 per household, which is inadequate.

Flood insurance gives you peace of mind knowing that you are protected in case of flooding.

Frequently Asked Questions About Alaska Flood Insurance

To help you decide whether you need Alaska flood insurance, we answered a few of the most frequently asked questions.

About Mark Fitzpatrick


Mark Fitzpatrick headshot

Mark Fitzpatrick is a senior content director at MoneyGeek with over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, conducting original research and creating content that can be personalized for every buyer. He has been quoted on insurance topics in several publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Mark earned a master’s degree in Economics and International Relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his economics and insurance knowledge to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.


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