Car Insurance in Ketchikan, AK
Are you looking for cheap auto insurance in Ketchikan? At AutoInsuranceEZ.com, you could find the cheapest insurance rates in your area. To acquire free car insurance quotes from the major providers today, input your zip code into the quote box on this page.
Known to many as the Salmon Capital of the World, Ketchikan is a coastal town on the southeastern tip of the state. Based in its abundance of natural resources, it should come as no surprise that Ketchikan is named after the Ketchikan Creek that runs through the town. Ketchikan is also home to the Misty Fjords National Monument and has the biggest collection of totem poles in the entire world.
- Fun fact: did you know that Ketchikan is #1 on the list of “Top 101 cities with largest percentage of males working in industry: Water transportation (population 5,000+)?
Auto Insurance Coverage Requirements in Alaska
Alaska motorists are legally required to purchase the following types and amounts of coverage:
| Coverage | Requirements | Most Common |
| Bodily Injury Liability | 50,000/100,000 | 100,000/300,000 |
| Property Damage Liability | 25,000 | 50,000 |
| Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury | Not required | 50,000/0130,000 |
| Medical Payments | Not required | 5,000 |
| Collision | Not required | 500 deductible |
| Comprehensive | Not required | 100 deductible |
Keep in mind, though, that just because Alaska doesn’t require things like Comprehensive, Collision, or Uninsured Motorist coverage, doesn’t mean you should be driving without them. To fully protect your vehicle, take a look at cheap Alaska car insurance rates here.
For good automotive coverage in Alaska, the state average is around $129 per month. However, under the right circumstances, your rates could be as low as $27/month* in Ketchikan. It all depends on your personal factors, as well as your driving history.
Umialik, a local state automotive insurance company, seems to offer the lowest rate for Alaska drivers. However, a low rate doesn’t always mean the best deal. Be sure to do some background research into your provider’s operations, such as customer service and claims, before you sign any paperwork.
Auto insurance providers consider several factors when determining insurance quotes, including gender, Type of vehicle owned, education, your own personal driving habits, and theft protection devices. In addition, premiums differ from provider to provider. To find out whether you’re still receiving the most favorable rate, compare cheap Ketchikan auto insurance quotes online.
Major Car Insurance Factors in Ketchikan
There are many ways that your car insurance rate might be determined. But not all of it is out of your control; there are steps you can take so that you can impact what discounts you are entitled to obtain. The following are some of these components in greater detail:
Your Zip Code
The cheapest car insurance is usually found in cities with a lower population density. Because there are fewer automobiles on the road, there are fewer opportunities for you to get into a major car accident with another driver. The population of Ketchikan is 8,214 and the median household income is $53,357.
Automotive Accidents
The lower the rate of fatal accidents in your zip code, the less you will have to pay in monthly premiums (since your insurance company assumes you are driving in a safe area). Since fatal accident statistics are much lower for Ketchikan than the rest of the country, you can rest assured that this will not influence your overall monthly costs.
Auto Thefts in Ketchikan
Even in small cities or rural towns, auto theft can still be a problem. In order to make it less of a problem for you, think about installing a passive anti-theft system on your car. Your auto insurance company may reward you with lower rates! In Ketchikan, there were only 6 auto thefts in 2013. But if you are still worried about auto theft in your area, then you may want to consider adding comprehensive coverage to your auto policy.
Your Credit Score
For most drivers, your credit score will have a significant impact on your premiums. However, there are specialty companies out there, such as Umialik, who offer fair rates regardless of your credit score. Most major providers, unfortunately, will still charge you a higher rate for having poor credit.
Your Age
Young drivers are virtually guaranteed to pay more for insurance, because of the unfortunate fact that teenage driver accident statistics are so high. If you are a young driver, you can try lowering your rates by applying for a Good Student discount. You might also be able to lower your rate by taking extra driving courses.
Your Driving Record
Ideally, every motorist should try to keep their driving record as clean as possible. The more violations you have, the more expensive your monthly insurance rates will be. Ask your provider if they have any “Accident Forgiveness” policies or discounts in place. Asking the right questions could save you a great deal of money.
Your Vehicle
The more expensive your vehicle is, the more it will cost to cover it appropriately. After all, who in their right mind would purchase Liability coverage only for an expensive, luxury vehicle? The more expensive your car is, and the more coverage you purchase for it, the more it will cost you in insurance premiums each month.
Minor Car Insurance Factors in Ketchikan
Before you know it, even the seemingly unimportant details of your life can have a significant impact on your monthly payment:
Your Marital Status
How can married couples save money on their automobile insurance? By bundling their insurance policies together, that’s how. Married couples also have the opportunity to bundle multiple policies, such as homeowner’s insurance, with the same company for further discounts.
Your Gender
This may be difficult for some people to believe, but gender doesn’t make a very big difference when calculating your automobile insurance rates. Many companies these days charge men and women the same amount. And for those providers who don’t, the difference between quotes is rarely more than a 2-3% difference.
Your Driving Distance to Work
The average commute to work for most drivers is fairly short, usually only 5-10 minutes. Carpooling to work is a popular choice (almost 20%), but the majority of motorists (Over 57%) still drive to work in their own car.
Worried about your annual miles driven? Or your purpose for being on the road? Don’t be. The difference between a motorists who drives tens of thousands of miles per year for pleasure and a student who lives close to their school is rarely more than 3-5%. However, if you drive a vehicle for business, that distinction can increase your monthly rate by 11-13% or more.
Your Coverage and Deductibles
Looking to save money while adding as much coverage as possible? Raise your deductible. But if you’re going to take this step, make sure you have a rainy day fund, should you ever need to file a claim. You will have to pay your deductible first before your company will make good on any filed claims.
Education in Ketchikan, AK
Most car insurance companies offer discounts or lower rates for drivers who have attained higher levels of education (but not for prestigious jobs or high salaries). In Ketchikan, many motorists have either a high school diploma or some college (at least one year). Some even have a bachelor’s degree.
Ketchikan has been a part of the Alaska university system since the end of the 1980’s when the Ketchikan Community College was upgraded to the University of Alaska Southeast. Today it is a four-year institution offering bachelor’s degrees in a variety of subjects.
Finding affordable auto insurance can be a hassle. There’s a lot of information you need to consider and, figuring out how insurance companies evaluate your potential risk can be complicated. But don’t let the wrong insurance company talk you into purchasing the wrong policy.
How We Conducted Our Car Insurance Analysis
*We calculated our average rate based on the following metrics: a married, 34 year old male with good credit, a 12-month history of maintaining auto insurance, a clean driving record, who owns his own home. Miles driven annually were based on the national average. The average rate was also calculated based on a financed 2015 Honda Accord with a pre-installed anti-theft device.
Sources:
Alaska Department of Financial Institutions
Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
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