Frequently Asked Questions
APRA (“App-ruh”) is the acronym for the Alaska Public Risk Alliance (APRA), highlighting the unique needs of the municipalities and school districts that the pool will serve. “Alliance” refers not only to the two pools coming together, but to the entities across Alaska that share the risks, responsibilities, and rewards of pooling as APRA members.
More broadly, APRA stands for collaboration among members, leveraging their combined strength. APRA will recognize that every member community is unique, with specific needs, and will focus on helping each member address their current and potential risks. In doing so, APRA will aim to provide long-term benefits for its members.
This approach is embodied in APRA’s mission statement.
What does APRA stand for?
The Alaska Public Risk Alliance (APRA) empowers member communities by pooling resources and expertise to meet their unique risk management and coverage needs, ensuring long-term sustainability and value.
A risk pool, or “Joint Insurance Arrangement” is a group of public entities that have agreed to contribute to a pool of funds that will pay claims of participants and purchase coverage for the participants on a group basis.
Public entity risk pools do more than pay claims, though. In addition to offering coverage for the risk that municipalities and school districts face, risk pools provide a wide range of services intended to support their member entities and help them prevent losses. With no profit motive, public entity pools are able to minimize costs and maximize coverage.
APRA is one of about 450 public entity risk pools serving municipalities, school districts, and other public entities in the U.S. and Canada. It’s estimated that at least 80% of the public entities in the United States participate in one or more of these pools, according to the National League of Cities.
A pool is a cooperative arrangement among public entities that works much like an insurance company. Pool members pay a premium (“contribution”), receive coverage, and make claims. Pools specialize in a particular type of member (public entities in Alaska, in APRA’s case) and have particular expertise in meeting the insurance and risk management needs of these members. But while it may look like an insurance company, pool members are jointly self-insuring their risk, and by state law, the coverage is not considered to be insurance.
Under Alaska law, Alaska Public Entity Insurance and the Alaska Municipal League Joint Insurance Association ceased to exist as separate organizations and became part of APRA on July 1, 2025. All of the liabilities of both pools were assumed by APRA, and each contributed their claim reserves and all or a portion of their other capital to APRA.
With the exception of two retirees (Kevin Smith and Ann Pence) all of the AMLJIA and APEI staff members became APRA employees on July 1. They’ve been getting to know each other for the past few months and are already working closely together to serve members.
This site is a great place to start! The services section describes the various offerings to members. But if you can’t find what you’re looking for, and aren’t sure who to ask, give us a call (907-560-2010) or send an e-mail (info@alaskarisk.org) and we’ll connect you with the right person.
APEI 24-25 financial statement: APEI Financial
AMLJIA 24-25 financial statement: AMLJIA Financial
