Protect What You Own with Renter's Insurance in Alaska

Purchasing a renter’s insurance policy is one of the easiest (and cheapest) ways to protect yourself and your belongings while renting your home in Alaska. A typical policy costs only $10 to $20 per month and can save you much more should unexpected damage or liability occur. 

But despite its affordability and practicality, only about half (55%) of U.S. renters currently have renter’s insurance, most of whom must have a policy per their landlord’s requirements. 

We’ve prepared this article to help you understand why you need renters insurance in Alaska and how to obtain a policy in this state—from cost and coverage to additional policies you may need.  

What is Renter’s Insurance? 

Renter’s insurance is insurance that covers specific types of losses suffered by renters during their occupation of a rental property. A typical renter’s insurance policy covers personal property, liability, and additional living expenses. Renter’s insurance often kicks in after damage from natural disasters, accidents, or other incidents.  

An important note: Renter’s insurance does not cover the actual building itself. The physical building you live in should be covered by your landlord’s insurance. Renter’s insurance protects you and the belongings you own within the property that may be damaged or stolen. 

Why Do I Need Renter’s Insurance? 

Everyone who rents their home—whether that be a single-family home, studio apartment, mobile home, townhome, condo, or other type of property— should have a renter’s insurance policy. This is because even though you don’t own the physical building you are renting, the items you keep within it (or even in your car, or elsewhere) could still be damaged or stolen. 

For example, imagine that a fire occurred in your apartment complex. Your landlord’s insurance would cover the damage to the actual building, appliances, and building systems. However, your landlord is not responsible for replacing all your lost clothes, furniture, electronics, and other belongings. That’s what renter’s insurance is for.  

Renter’s insurance can also cover medical or legal expenses if you are sued. For example, your renter’s insurance would apply if someone gets injured in your rental unit and you are responsible for their medical bills. 

An average renter’s insurance policy includes $20,000 – $30,000 of personal property coverage and doesn’t cost you more than a $20 bill each month. It’s a small price to pay for the great financial security renters insurance offers. 

What Does Renter’s Insurance Cover? 

Renter’s insurance has three main categories of coverage. 

1. Personal Property: Personal property refers to any belongings like clothes, furniture, electronics, etc. Your personal property is subject to limits and requires a deductible. However, your insurance will reimburse you should your personal property get damaged by disasters such as the following:  
   1. Fire and smoke 
   2. Storms, lightening, wind, hail 
   3. Theft 
   4. Vandalism 
   5. Explosions 
   6. Winter weather damage 
   7. Damage from infrastructure tearing, cracking, burning, etc. 
   8. Sudden, accidental damage from electric currents 
2. Liability Insurance: Liability coverage pays for your medical or legal bills should you be responsible for an injury on the property or damage to the property itself.  
3. Loss of Use/Living Expenses: Loss of use insurance kicks in if the property you rent becomes uninhabitable due to damage or repairs. It pays for your hotel bills and even certain food expenses while you wait for repairs to be completed. 

The cheapest renters insurance companies or policies may offer fewer coverage options with higher deductibles, while more extensive options will offer a wider range of coverage with lower deductibles. 

There are a few disasters renter’s insurance doesn’t cover, like flooding. It’s important to read your renters insurance policy to understand what is and isn’t included. If you need coverage that isn’t included, you can purchase add-on policies, such as water backup coverage, theft extension coverage, scheduled valuables coverage, or earthquake and volcano coverage. 

Alaska Renters Insurance 

Alaska renters insurance protects you and your belongings from a range of perils. In Alaska, natural disasters like earthquakes and snowstorms can damage buildings and the items within them. Purchasing renter’s insurance protects you should a natural disaster cause damage to your property. It can also cover legal or medical expenses if you are responsible for an injury in your home. 

How Much Does Renters Insurance Alaska Cost? 

Many renters understandably worry about renters insurance cost. Fortunately, renters insurance in Alaska is very inexpensive. In 2024, the average premium in Alaska was $101 per year, or $8 per month (about 33% less than the national average of $12 per month). At this price, renters insurance rates are affordable for almost all renters. Cheap renters insurance is easy to find, and it’s well worth the investment for the protection and security it offers. 

What are the Most Common Claims in Alaska? 

According to Progressive, common renter’s insurance claims in Alaska include damage from snowstorms, blizzards, and wildfires. Severe wildfires are increasing in size and frequency in Alaska due to climate changes, especially in boreal forest or taiga regions. The U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts that burned area in Alaska will increase up to 160% by 2050, along with longer wildfire seasons in the state and increasing severity, frequency, and size of fires. Renter’s insurance can protect you and your belongings should a wildfire or other disaster damage your home. 

What Additional Policies Do I Need in Alaska? 

Renters in Alaska may also need earthquake insurance. Alaska experiences thousands of earthquakes each year due to tectonic plate movement beneath its landmass, especially in the region where the Pacific Plate subducts under the North American Plate. Alaska saw over 220,000 earthquakes in the last five years, with 26 having magnitudes of 6 or greater. Earthquake coverage is not included in most renters’ insurance policies, but the Alaska Seismic Hazards Safety Commission helps renters and homeowners find an earthquake insurance policy. 

Flooding is uncommon in Alaska, and few renter’s insurance claims in Alaska are filed due to flood-related damage. However, if you live in a designated floodplain or in an area with historic flood risk, you may also need to purchase an additional flood insurance policy.  

How to Get Renter’s Insurance in Alaska 

Most major insurance providers offer renter’s insurance, often bundled with auto insurance for a lower price. To determine your policy and coverage details, your insurer will typically ask you a few questions about the rental unit (such as the type of building, year it was built, and address) and the dollar value or replacement cost of high-value personal belongings you own. You’ll be able to tailor your policy and insurance coverage details to your needs and compare renters insurance quotes from the best renters insurance companies to ensure you are paying the best price. 

Get Renter’s Insurance with Innago 

Innago offers renter’s insurance through our partnership with Viaffinity. If you’re a renter, regardless of whether your landlord uses Innago, you can purchase a policy and get protection for you and your personal belongings. You can get quick and affordable quotes, customize your coverage, and add an additional person onto your policy at no extra cost.