Insurance Appraiser in Juneau, Alaska

A wet, steep, isolated city

Juneau gets heavy rain most of the year, and much of the downtown area is built on steep slopes below Mount Juneau and Mount Roberts. Because there is no road connection to the rest of North America, materials arrive by barge or air, which affects repair costs and timelines.

Mendenhall River flooding

Since 2011, water has built up each summer in Suicide Basin beside the Mendenhall Glacier and then released suddenly down the Mendenhall River. In August 2023 the flood eroded riverbanks and destroyed homes, and in August 2024 record flooding inundated hundreds of homes in the Mendenhall Valley. Flood is generally excluded from homeowner policies, so these losses often raise questions about which damage is covered, such as sewer backup endorsements or separate flood policies.

Wind, rain and slopes

Taku winds, strong gusts that come down from the icefield, can hit downtown Juneau and Douglas with hurricane-force gusts. Rain-driven water intrusion through siding and windows is a constant concern. Landslides have damaged downtown homes, though earth movement is typically excluded.

Housing and claim issues

• Older wood-frame homes downtown with long stairs and difficult access
• Split-levels in the Mendenhall Valley with finished lower levels
• Condos and townhomes with shared roofs and exteriors
• Higher material and labor costs due to barge freight

We inspect throughout Juneau, Douglas, the Mendenhall Valley, Lemon Creek, Auke Bay and Thane.

Services available in Juneau

Every Alaska Insurance Appraiser service is available to property owners in Juneau and nearby, including:

• Appraisal Panel Representation
• Homeowner Claim Appraisal
• Commercial, HOA & Condo Appraisal
• Roof, Hail & Ice Damage Appraisal
• Windstorm Damage Appraisal
• Snow Load & Ice Dam Claims
• Frozen Pipe & Water Damage Appraisal
• Fire, Smoke & Wildfire Appraisal

Questions from Juneau property owners

Nearby communities