Borough
Chugach Census Area
Region
Prince William Sound
Neighborhoods & areas
Downtown Valdez, Robe Lake area, Richardson Highway corridor, Small boat harbor area
Housing mix
Post-1964 frame homes with steep metal roofs, arctic entries and snow-shedding designs, plus commercial and industrial buildings
Notable events
- 1964 earthquake and relocation of the town
- Record snowfall winters
- Thompson Pass wind events
Local claim risks
- Extreme snowfall
- Snow load & sliding snow
- Gap winds
- Earthquake (with endorsement)
- Frozen pipes
A town that moved
The 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake triggered an underwater landslide and waves that destroyed the original Valdez waterfront. The town was rebuilt on more stable ground about four miles west, so most homes date from after 1964. Valdez is in the Chugach Census Area, part of Alaska's Unorganized Borough, and it is the southern end of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline.
Snow, and lots of it
Valdez averages several hundred inches of snow a year, and nearby Thompson Pass gets even more. Homes here are built with steep metal roofs, arctic entries and designs that shed snow, but heavy winters still overload roofs, crush decks and outbuildings, and send sliding snow into walls, vents and vehicles.
Wind and cold
Gap winds through Thompson Pass and down the valley can be strong, and cold snaps bring freeze risk. Snow-driven water intrusion and ice dams are also common.
Common claim issues
- Snow load damage to roofs, decks, carports and outbuildings
- Sliding snow damage to siding, vents, meters and windows
- Snow removal and shoring costs that are under-reimbursed
- Higher material and labor costs due to location
We serve Valdez and the surrounding Prince William Sound area.
Services available in Valdez
Every Alaska Insurance Appraiser service is available to property owners in Valdez 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 Valdez property owners
Is damage from sliding snow covered?
Damage caused by the weight of snow or by snow sliding off a roof is often covered. Some structures, such as awnings and fences, may have limits.
Are snow removal costs covered?
Reasonable costs to protect the property from further damage are often reimbursed. Keep receipts and photos.