The Complete Guide On Purchasing An AIG Travel Insurance

AIG Travel, part of American International Group, Inc., has offered travel insurance for decades. Travel Guard markets travel insurance and travel-related services, including medical and security, to leisure and business travelers worldwide.

AIG Travel creates tailored plans for various smaller insurance brokers, airlines, and travel groups, so you may have acquired a trip insurance plan without knowing it. Should you travel with AIG Travel?

American International Group, Inc., a multinational insurance corporation, owns AIG Travel. AIG Travel markets its products under Travel Guard.

The company is headquartered in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, and serves travelers in 80 countries and jurisdictions through eight wholly-owned global service centers in key regions, including Houston, Texas; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Mexico City, Mexico; Sofia, Bulgaria; Okinawa, Japan; Shoreham, England; and Guangzhou, China.

How Is AIG Travel Rated?

AIG subsidiary National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, Pa. underwrites AIG Travel products. A.M. Best rates the policy writer “Excellent” with a steady prognosis as of June 2018.

Three major travel insurance marketplaces rank AIG Travel highly for customer service. TravelInsurance.com gives AIG Travel five stars and a 98% recommended mark after more than 400 reviews. Customers rate InsureMyTrip.com 4.56 stars out of 5. Squaremouth.com no longer sells AIG Travel plans, however customers scored the company 4.46 stars (out of five) with 1% negative reviews.

What Travel Insurance Does AIG Travel Offer?

AIG Travel offers four plans: Basic, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. TravelInsurance.com sells the Basic plan, which AIG Travel does not sell directly. All travel insurance plans include travel medical aid, worldwide travel assistance, LiveTravel® Emergency aid, and personal security assistance when passengers are at least 100 miles from home.

Please note: All schedules of benefits are subject to change. For the most up-to-date coverage information, contact AIG Travel.

• Travel Guard Basic: AIG Travel Guard Basic offers the lowest trip cancellation, interruption, and delay benefits. The basic plan covers 100% of trip cancellation or interruption events (up to $100,000) but has low coverage ceilings for return airfare due to trip interruption ($500 maximum), trip delay ($100 per day, up to $500), baggage loss ($500 before a $50 deductible), and baggage delay ($100 maximum). Pre-existing medical condition exclusion waivers and accidental death and dismemberment are not available with the basic plan.
• Travel Guard Silver: AIG Travel Guard’s lowest coverage is Silver. Travel Guard Silver provides greater insurance for baggage delay and loss ($750; $50 deductible) and accident sickness medical expenditures ($15,000; $50 deductible). Optional coverage includes pre-existing medical condition exclusion waivers, trip cancellation or interruption due to financial default, and additional flight coverage. Travel Guard Silver costs 2.5% more than Travel Guard Basic.
• Travel Guard Gold: AIG Travel Guard Gold is the most popular plan. The Gold plan provides extra money for trip interruption (150 percent, up to $150,000), return airfare (the greater of $750 or 150 percent of the trip cost), and trip delay ($150 per day maximum, up to $750 total). This package also includes $1,000 for baggage and travel document loss, $300 for baggage delay, and $250 for missing connections.
  Travelers can get pre-existing condition waivers, trip cancellation or interruption due to financial default, and primary accident sickness medical coverage if they buy within 15 days of the initial trip payment. Cancel for Any Reason insurance (up to 50% of insured travel costs), automobile rental accident coverage, and medical expenditure and emergency evacuation upgrades are available. Travel Guard Gold costs 20% more than Silver before optional coverage.
• Travel Guard Platinum: AIG Travel Guard Platinum offers the finest benefits. Trip cancellation, trip interruption, trip delay, and missed connection benefits are available.
  Like Travel Guard Gold, travelers who buy their policy within 15 days of their initial trip payment may receive the pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver, trip cancellation or interruption due to financial default, primary accident sickness medical expense coverage, and primary baggage and personal effects coverage. Cancel for Any Reason (up to 50% of insured travel costs), automobile rental collision coverage, and medical coverage enhancements are optional.
  Travel Guard Platinum, the highest level of coverage, costs 50–60% more than Travel Guard Gold before add-on coverage.

What Won’t AIG Travel Cover?

While AIG Travel offers plans to cover many common travel issues, they will not necessarily cover everything. Excluded situations include:

• Self-inflicted injuries: If you are in a problem while traveling, you can receive help anywhere in the world. It is important to note that your travel insurance policy may not cover mental health services.
• Pregnancy or childbirth: In many situations, pregnancy or childbirth are not covered under AIG Travel plans.
• Dangerous activities: Planning on mountaineering, going motor racing, or participating in a professional-level athletic event? All of these situations are not covered under AIG Travel plans.
• Baggage loss for items seized by governments or customs officials: Before returning home, be sure you understand what is (or is not) permitted in your native country. There is a unique approach for reporting losses if you feel your belongings were taken by customs or Transportation Security Administration officers.
  
• Baggage loss for eyeglasses, sunglasses, or hearing aids: Loss or replacement of prescription vision wear is not covered by AIG Travel.

This is only a partial list of situations that may or may not be covered by AIG Travel travel insurance coverage. For a complete list, see the schedule of benefits for each plan, which is linked in the preceding section.

How Do I File a Claim With AIG Travel?

US-purchased AIG Travel plans can be claimed online. Travelers can file claims online for flight cancellation, baggage loss, and trip delay. Online updates and paperwork needs are available to policyholders. AIG Travel can answer policy and claim issues at +1-866-478-8222.

US tourists can use the online claims tool. For claims, other travelers should call AIG Travel at the number given.

Who Is AIG Travel Best For?

AIG Travel’s Basic and Silver plans may cover travelers without credit card trip coverage. Check your credit card’s coverage before purchasing one of these AIG Travel plans.

AIG Travel Gold and Platinum may provide better coverage than a credit card for major foreign or cruise trips. Gold and Platinum are ideal for those who are spending a lot on a significant vacation and want to make sure it goes smoothly due to their high benefit levels and pre-existing condition coverage when purchased within 15 days of an initial travel payment.