What renters in Alaska actually pay, from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ 2023 Homeowners Insurance Report (published July 2026) — plus the three perils that make Alaska different: earthquake, wildfire, and frozen pipes.
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Alaska at a glance
The figures below are the NAIC’s state average HO-4 (renters) premium for Alaska — total premiums divided by total policies, 2023 policy year, published July 2026.
Average renters premium · Alaska$193/yr~$16 a month · #8 of 51 states (1 = priciest) · 112% of the US average
$193/yrAverage annual premium (NAIC 2023)
~$16/moMonthly equivalent
112%Of the national average
#8 of 51Price rank (1 = priciest)
Alaska$193/yrAlaska average · ~$16/mo
+$20/yrvs national average
National average$173/yrAll 50 states + DC
Alaska vs the country
Mississippi · priciest state$263/yr
Louisiana$250/yr
Oklahoma$220/yr
Alaska · your state · #8$193/yr
United States average$173/yr
South Dakota · cheapest state$125/yr
How it works: figures are the NAIC’s state average HO-4 (renters) premiums — total premiums divided by total policies, 2023 policy year, published July 2026. Monthly = annual ÷ 12. Rank is out of all 50 states + DC, priciest first. These are premiums paid, averaged across coverage amounts — a quote for a specific $30k/$100k policy will differ. Nothing you type leaves your device.
Why Alaska costs more than almost every state
Alaska’s $193 average is 112% of the national figure and the 8th-highest in the country — ahead of hurricane-battered Florida and tornado-prone Tennessee. The price is driven by three perils that barely exist anywhere else together, plus the simple cost of fixing anything this far north.
Output · formula · meaning
Output
Formula
What it means
Average annual premium
Σ premiums ÷ policies
What the typical Alaska renter pays per year: $193.
Monthly equivalent
annual ÷ 12
The monthly budget figure: about $16.
Index vs US average
state avg ÷ $173 × 100
Alaska sits at 112% of the national average — $20 a year more.
Price rank
sorted, priciest first
Alaska is #8 of 51 — the 8th-priciest state for renters insurance.
3 things Alaska renters should know
Earthquake is NOT covered by your HO-4 — and Alaska is earthquake country. A standard renters policy excludes earth movement; shaking damage to your belongings needs a separate earthquake endorsement or policy. The 1964 Good Friday earthquake (magnitude 9.2) is the largest ever recorded in North America — the exclusion exists precisely because of places like Alaska.
Wildfire seasons here are extreme. In 2022, just 595 fires burned roughly 3.1 million acres of Alaska — and a 2026 analysis found Alaska averages over 2,200 acres per fire, about 19 times the national rate, making it the most dangerous state for wildfires. Renters near the wildland-urban interface around Anchorage, Fairbanks, and the Mat-Su Valley should confirm smoke and wildfire damage are covered (they usually are under an HO-4) and price additional living expenses coverage, since a wildfire evacuation can displace you for weeks.
Frozen pipes are the winter claim that catches renters. Burst pipes from deep cold are among Alaska’s most common winter claims — and whether the damage is covered often turns on whether the unit’s heat was maintained. Sudden accidental bursts are typically covered; damage after the heat was shut off (in an empty or neglected unit) can be denied as neglect. If you’re away from your apartment for any stretch in winter, keep the heat on and document it.
Who uses this page
Movers: budgeting a move to Anchorage, Fairbanks, or Juneau — is $16/month about right for your renters policy?
Lease shoppers: checking whether the number your agent quoted is anywhere near the state average.
Military members: PCS moves to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson or Eielson AFB — understanding what the Alaska rate covers before you sign a lease.
Researchers & students: the NAIC figures are public statistics — cite them with the block below.
Accuracy & limitations
These are 2023-policy-year averages published in July 2026 — the freshest official data available, but your 2026 quote will differ by ZIP code, building construction, coverage limits, deductible, claims history, and credit-based insurance score. Treat $193/yr as a benchmark, not a quote. Alaska’s small insurance market also means fewer competing carriers than in the Lower 48 — shopping the Division of Insurance’s company listings is worth the hour.
Cite this data pageBright Side Kit. “Average Renters Insurance Cost in Alaska.” brightoolbox.com, 2026.Bright Side Kit. "Average Renters Insurance Cost in Alaska." https://brightoolbox.com/renters-insurance-cost-alaska/ Accessed October 22, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Is renters insurance required in Alaska?
No state law requires it — no US state mandates renters insurance. Landlords can, and many Alaska landlords do, require it as a lease condition, often with a liability minimum. If your lease requires it, you need the policy to keep the lease.
How much is renters insurance in Alaska per month?
The state average premium is about $16 a month ($193 a year) according to NAIC 2023 data — 112% of the national average, ranking 8th of 51 states. Earthquake coverage costs extra on top of that figure.
Does Alaska renters insurance cover earthquakes?
No — standard HO-4 policies exclude earth movement, and earthquake needs a separate endorsement or policy. Given Alaska’s seismic history, renters who want their belongings protected from quake damage should price that coverage separately.
Does Alaska renters insurance cover wildfire damage?
Yes, generally — fire and smoke damage are standard covered perils in an HO-4 policy, including wildfire. The key add-on in wildfire country is enough additional living expenses (loss of use) coverage, since evacuations around Anchorage and Fairbanks can displace you for weeks.
What happens to my renters insurance if my pipes freeze?
A sudden, accidental burst is typically covered — but insurers can deny the claim if the heat was off or the unit was left unmaintained in the cold (neglect). Keep the heat on when you travel in winter and document it.
Who regulates renters insurance in Alaska?
The Alaska Division of Insurance, part of the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development. It licenses insurers and agents, reviews rates, and accepts consumer complaints online through commerce.alaska.gov.
Why is Alaska renters insurance more expensive than Florida’s?
Alaska sits at $193/yr versus Florida’s $186/yr despite having no hurricanes. The drivers are earthquake exposure, extreme wildfire seasons, frozen-pipe losses, very high repair and labor costs, and a small carrier market with less price competition than Florida’s.