Alaska filing deadlines
| Claim | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Personal injury lawsuit | 2 years |
| Vehicle and property damage | 2 years |
| Wrongful death | 2 years |
Wrongful death: AS 09.55.580(a) 'The action shall be commenced within two years after the death'.
If you were partly at fault
Alaska follows pure comparative negligence. Your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault, and you can recover something even if you were mostly to blame.
- With $100,000 in damages and 30% of the fault, you would recover $70,000.
- With 55% of the fault, you would recover $45,000.
Source: AS 09.17.060. Compare all states in the comparative negligence table.
At-fault (tort) state
In Alaska the driver who caused the crash is responsible for the damage, so you claim against their liability insurance or sue them. Your own medical payments or health coverage can pay bills while the claim is pending.
Traditional tort state; compulsory liability insurance, no PIP or tort threshold.
Minimum car insurance in Alaska
$50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for injuries, $25,000 for property damage. Uninsured motorist coverage is optional or can be rejected in writing.
Many drivers carry only the minimum, so the bodily injury limit is often the most the at-fault driver's insurer will pay one person. UM/UIM coverage (bodily injury and property damage) must be included in the policy at the same 50/100/25 amounts (28.22.101(e)), but 28.22.201(a)(3) says it 'may be rejected by the insured in writing', so it is not strictly mandatory.
Damage caps
Alaska caps noneconomic damages: Greater of $400,000 or $8,000 x injured person's life expectancy in years; for severe permanent physical impairment or severe disfigurement, greater of $1,000,000 or $25,000 x life expectancy (AS 09.17.010) Punitive damages: Greater of 3x compensatory or $500,000; if motivated by financial gain with known adverse consequences, greater of 4x compensatory, 4x financial gain, or $7,000,000 (AS 09.17.020)
Cap covers all claims including loss of consortium arising from a single injury or death. Also 'no pay, no play': AS 09.65.320 bars noneconomic damages for a person injured while operating a motor vehicle the person knew was uninsured.
Dog bite law
One-bite rule (no strict liability statute). No Alaska statute imposing strict liability on dog owners for bites was identified; liability follows common law (known dangerous propensities or negligence). Some municipal codes (e.g. Anchorage) have their own animal control rules.
Source: . Estimate a claim with the dog bite calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Alaska?
2 years from the accident for an injury lawsuit and 2 years for vehicle damage (AS 09.10.070(a)(2), (a)(3); AS 09.55.580(a)). Insurance claims should be reported much sooner, and claims against a government agency can have shorter notice deadlines.
Is Alaska a no-fault state?
No. Alaska is an at-fault state: the driver who caused the crash, through their liability insurance, pays for the other people's injuries and damage.
What happens if I was partly at fault in Alaska?
Alaska follows pure comparative negligence (AS 09.17.060). Your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault, and you can recover something even if you were mostly to blame.
What is the minimum car insurance in Alaska?
$50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for injuries, $25,000 for property damage (50/100/25).
Does Alaska cap pain and suffering damages?
Yes: Greater of $400,000 or $8,000 x injured person's life expectancy in years; for severe permanent physical impairment or severe disfigurement, greater of $1,000,000 or $25,000 x life expectancy (AS 09.17.010)
Sources
Checked against official Alaska sources November 5, 2026.