Let's take a cold, hard look at some ways to find the best Anchorage car insurance rates. Anchorage is Alaska’s largest city and contains over 40% of the Alaskan population. This makes the city second only to New York City in terms of the most concentrated population percentage of a large city and its state. Though Alaska is often thought of as a largely rural state, and perhaps has earned a reputation as an icy wilderness, car accidents do happen—and particularly in Anchorage, a city that remains busy with 279,243 people.

Anchorage Car Insurance Statistics

Accidents do happen, and FARS (the Fatality Analysis Reporting System) estimates there were at least 19 people killed in the year 2008 because of automobile accidents, adding to a total Alaskan fatality rate of 62.  There are even more accidents involving personal injury, major damage or “fender benders”, all of which contribute to a rising insurance rate.

One of the first warnings Wiki Travel issues about traveling to Anchorage is the aggression of many Anchorage drivers.  Remember that due to Alaskan weather many of the roads are covered with snow and ice.  Even during times of the year when the weather is warmer, there are still traces of damage left perceivable on the road.  The use of studded tires can affect the stability of a seemingly flat road.

Motorists that are not used to traveling in wintry conditions are cautioned to drive carefully and not to follow other cars too closely.  Traffic law in Anchorage also requires that all drivers have their headlights on whenever it is snowing.  In fact, the Seward Highway requires headlights to be on at all times, regardless of weather conditions.  This is probably due to the potential for “black ice”, which appears to be dry but is actually just as slippery as normal ice.

Anchorage Car Insurance Requirements

The cost of insurance is obviously a major issue in Anchorage and this is probably why many local travelers prefer to use the bus or a bicycle.  Another issue that relates to Anchorage car insurance is that of crime.  While Anchorage is relatively safe when it comes to a violent crime (at least for a large city) there is a problem with theft.  This has led to an increase in comprehensive insurance policies, which cover liability, grand theft auto, and damage to the car.  Why, even free-roaming moose have been deemed a slight security risk for Anchorage citizens and visitors!

Alaska state law requires a bodily injury liability minimum of $50,000 for each person who is injured, up to $100,000 for a vehicle.  Property damage liability has a minimum of $25,000.  So right away, it’s easy to see that Alaska insurance costs more in premiums than some smaller U.S. cities.  Besides liability insurance, there is no other form of required insurance in the state.  Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage is an option, and protects drivers against other drivers who don’t have the proper insurance to pay for damages.  The average premium for Anchorage residents is believed to be near $2,500, which is substantially higher than the U.S. average of $1,794.

How to Save Money on Anchorage Car Insurance

How should these facts affect the average motorist?  Is it pointless to keep looking for cheap Anchorage car insurance?  Is it just a fact that Anchorage car insurance will be sky high? Not necessarily. Remember, there are other factors that determine the price of an Anchorage auto insurance policy. In addition to region and basic demographic data (age, sex and type of car), car insurance companies also consider a person’s traffic record.  A clean record for the last several years may very well be enough to find a cheaper insurance policy, especially if you are an older driver with years of experience behind you.

Underwriters for these policies also have to consider other factors like defensive driving education (which sometimes qualify as credits for discounted rates), type of policy ordered (such as a multi-discount policy or switching to an individual plan) and even credit score.  In recent years, an individual’s credit report has been critically examined by insurance companies in an effort to learn the insured’s general attitude towards responsibility.

Last but not least, there’s the amount of mileage that is driven every year as well as the driver’s occupation.  Cut down on the driving (perhaps opting for bicycles, bus or train) part of the year, and you may be able to land a cheaper policy—if not from your current insurance provider, than from another company.

Compare Anchorage Car Insurance Quotes!

Never be afraid to look into other options when it comes to Anchorage auto insurance.  You may have to switch providers at some point, or prepay a policy several months in advance rather than by the month; but if this strategy gets you a discount then it’s definitely worth searching for.  Start your search now by comparing Anchorage car insurance quotes online and making a mental note of which companies offer the best rates!