10 Best Life Insurance Companies in Alaska

Famously known as the Last Frontier, Alaska offers a unique blend of vast wilderness and urban comforts in North America’s northwest corner. With stunning landscapes and modern amenities, Anchorage and Juneau cater to the needs of Alaska’s 732,673 residents.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average life expectancy in Alaska is approximately 76.6 years which is significantly lower than the national average life expectancy, which is currently around 79.05 years in the United States. Over the past few years, the leading causes of death in Alaska have been cancer, homicide, and cardiovascular disease. The homicide rate in Alaska is about 7.3 homicides per 100,000 residents, which is close to the national average of 7.5.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in Alaska, the 90th percentile income is currently $103,610. The median earnings in the state is approximately $48,820. It is essential to consider your insurance options. Most financial advisors recommend purchasing a life insurance policy that covers your loved ones for between 10X and 20X your annual income. In Alaska, this amounts to around $1,036,100 – $2,072,200 dollars for most individuals.

How life insurance works in Alaska

There are different types of life insurance, but they all work in a similar way. You, the policyholder, pay monthly or annual premiums to the insurance agency. If you die while the policy is active, the company pays a death benefit to your beneficiaries. The beneficiaries can then use the money to cover your final expenses and any other debts or expenses you may have left behind.

There are two main types of life insurance policies: term life insurance policies and whole life insurance policies (also known as universal life insurance policies). Term life insurance is the more affordable and straightforward option. It pays a death benefit only if you die during the term of the policy, which is usually 20 or 30 years. If you outlive the term, the policy expires, and you get nothing. Term life insurance is ideal for people who want coverage for a specific period of time, such as when they have young children and large mortgages.

Whole life insurance is more expensive but also more flexible. It pays a death benefit regardless of when you die. In addition, whole life insurance builds cash value over time that you can borrow against or cash out. Whole life insurance is ideal for people who want coverage for their entire lives.

In terms of which is the better option, most people should purchase term life insurance. The general rule is that you shouldn’t mix investing and insurance products, which is what whole life insurance tries to do. Purchase cheap and simple term life insurance to cover the risk of death and use investment accounts to make investments that will grow and pay dividends over time.

How much life insurance do you need in Alaska?

The 90th percentile salary in Alaska is approximately $103,610. As mentioned, most financial advisors recommend that you purchase enough life insurance coverage that will cover your beneficiary for at least 10X – 20X your average annual income. In Alaska that works out to around $1,036,100 – $2,072,200. This amount will ensure that your loved ones can continue to pay their bills, settle your debts, and cover the cost of your final expenses.

A life insurance quote can tell you how much the monthly insurance premium payment for a life insurance plan that covers your dependents will cost. Keep reading for some faqs about why someone would purhase additional life insurance.

You may also want to purchase additional life insurance to cover:

• Your mortgage (if you want your spouse and kids to be able to live in the home without worrying about mortgage payments)
• Children’s education costs (if you want your child’s education to be covered without any additional stress to your spouse)
• Bereavement therapy costs for your spouse and children (if you want them to spend time with a therapist after your unexpected death)
• Any other expenses that may be unique to your family or lifestyle

Alaska life insurance laws

There are a few unique features with respect to Alaska Life Insurance Laws that have an impact on your specific policy if you are a resident of the state.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Free look period: This is the required time period in which a new policy owner can terminate the policy without any penalties. This period normally lasts 10 or more days depending on your specific policy.
• Grace period: This is the amount of time, after a premium payment is due, to make the payment to maintain your coverage. The grace period in the state of Alaska is 30 days.
• Timely settlement of claims: When a Life Insurance claim is submitted in Alaska, the insurer must pay the amount to the beneficiary in a fair and timely manner. If the insurer does not payout in a reasonable time, it can result in stringent penalties for them. 
• Contestable period and incontestability: The contestable period is the amount of time an insurer can challenge any potentially fraudulent or misrepresented claims on the coverage application. After this period ends, the policy is usually considered incontestible, meaning that regardless of the cause of death, the insurance company cannot investigate claims.
  • (a) If a long-term care insurance policy has been in force for less than six months, an insurer may rescind the policy or deny an otherwise valid long-term care claim under the policy on a showing of misrepresentation that is material to the acceptance for coverage.
  • (b) If a long-term care insurance policy has been in force for at least six months but less than two years, an insurer may rescind the policy or deny an otherwise valid long-term care claim under the policy on a showing of misrepresentation that is both material to the acceptance for coverage and pertains to the condition for which benefits are sought.
  • (c) If a long-term care insurance policy has been in force for two years or more, the policy is not contestable on the grounds of misrepresentation alone and may only be contested on a showing that the insured knowingly and intentionally misrepresented relevant facts relating to the insured’s health.

So, why do you need life insurance? Because it gives you and your family peace of mind in knowing that they’re taken care of financially if something happens to you. No one knows what the future holds, but with life insurance, you can rest assured that your loved ones will be taken care of financially when you’re no longer around to provide for them.

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