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Travel Guard Insurance Review: Is It Worth the Cost?

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Table of Contents

What is Travel Guard travel insurance?

What does travel guard cover, travel guard policy overview, what’s not covered by a travel guard travel insurance plan, how travel guard travel insurance compares to its competitors, how much is travel guard travel insurance, how to buy a travel guard travel insurance policy, which travel guard travel insurance plan is best for me, does travel guard travel insurance offer 24/7 travel assistance, how to file a claim with travel guard travel insurance, is travel guard travel insurance worth it, travel guard travel insurance recapped, star rating methodology.

Travel Guard by AIG

• Offers last-minute coverage.
• Pre-Existing Medical Conditions Exclusion Waiver available at all plan levels.
• Plan available for business travelers.
• Cancel For Any reason coverage only available for higher-level plans, and only reimburses up to 50% of the trip cost.
• Trip interruption coverage doesn't apply to trips paid for with points and miles.

Travel Guard travel insurance is a great option for last-minute travelers. There are four plans from which to choose. Costs are reasonable, and plans allow more customization than you'd normally find on travel insurance policies.

Why trust NerdWallet?

Our Nerdy editorial team aims to be a starting point in your travel insurance research. We default toward transparency and follow a comprehensive methodology for rating and reviewing travel insurance companies. Advertisers and advertising relationships do not influence our ratings. Learn more about our strict editorial guidelines .

Travel Guard offers a variety of plans for prospective customers, including plans oriented toward sports enthusiasts, last-minute travelers and those looking to save money.

Policies issued by Travel Guard are underwritten by National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh. According to insurance rating firm AM Best, National Union Fire Insurance Company has a Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A (excellent). This means it’s unlikely to default on any payments.

Travel Guard travel insurance coverage has a lot of variety. Depending on which plan you pick — Essential, Preferred, Deluxe or Pack N' Go — you’ll have trip protections and some medical coverage.

Generally speaking, here is what to expect when purchasing a Travel Guard policy:

Trip interruption and trip cancellation : These coverages can reimburse you for nonrefundable expenses that you’ve already paid in the event that your trip is canceled or interrupted. Trip cancellation protection is not included in the Pack N' Go plan.

Travel Guard health insurance coverage : This health insurance coverage can pay for costs associated with emergency medical services during your trip.  

Trip delay : Trip delay can cover expenses such as food and accommodation in the event your travel is delayed.

Emergency evacuation : If you need medical care at another facility and need to be evacuated, emergency evacuation can cover the costs. 

Baggage insurance : Baggage insurance includes coverage for lost and delayed luggage, and can reimburse you for the cost of replacing lost items or purchasing new ones in the event of a delay. 

Travel Guard's policies have a broad array of inclusions. It offers three comprehensive single-trip plans that can be customized to meet your travel needs. It also offers a plan designed for last-minute trips that focuses on post-departure coverage — this plan is much more affordable, but offers fewer protections.

The company also offers an annual travel insurance plan if you travel frequently and want year-round protection.

Add-on options

The types of add-ons you can include will vary based on your plan but can include:

Quarantine coverage. 

Adventure sports.

Boarding and medical expenses if your pet gets sick.

Wedding cancellation.

Inclusion of a family member for coverage. 

Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR).

Rental car insurance . 

Medical coverage upgrade.

Evacuation for non-medical reasons. 

Don’t want to shell out for travel insurance? A variety of travel credit cards offer complimentary trip insurance assuming you pay for the trip with your card.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

Travel Guard offers plenty of options when it comes to customizability, which is great for those who need additional coverage. For example, most insurance policies automatically exclude adventure sports. The same is true for Travel Guard, unless you add on the adventure sports bundle.

You’ll want to be aware that all three of Travel Guard’s comprehensive plans will cover pre-existing conditions. However, the Pack N’ Go plan does not.

Here’s what else isn’t covered:

Coverage for trips paid for with frequent flier miles or loyalty rewards programs : Travel Guard will only protect the trips you pay for with cash. If you’re redeeming your points for that bucket list trip, you unfortunately won’t qualify for coverage.

Baggage loss for eyeglasses, contact lenses, hearing aids or false teeth: These items should be kept with you in your carry-on as a general rule, so they won’t be covered by a Travel Guard policy.

Known events : If you knowingly book a trip with some inherent risks, it won’t be covered. For example, once the National Weather Service issues a warning for a hurricane, it becomes a known event.

Beyond this, most travel insurance plans have specific exclusions to their coverage, including:

Activities when you’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Extreme sports.

Named storms. 

Participation in athletic events. 

A sample trip for a 36-year-old traveler from Indiana to Canada for 5 days showed that the cheapest Travel Guard plan cost $135. If you were to spring for the premium plan, which increases your coverage limits, expect to pay $236.

When looking across multiple providers, the same sample trip ranges in cost from $10-$202. Note that price isn't the only differentiating factor. Coverage is not identical across plans; each company offers various levels of scope, limits and exclusions.

How much does Travel Guard travel insurance cost? Travel Guard’s travel insurance cost has quite a big spread based on the plan you select.

We generated a quote for a 34-year-old traveler from California heading to Japan for a week, with a total trip cost of $2,700. Here’s how pricing shook out.

A reminder that the Pack N' Go plan is designed for spontaneous trips, so it has less protections for trip cancellation. It also doesn't include the option to get a pre-existing conditions waiver.

Like most travel insurance companies, Travel Guard travel insurance costs much more when you add in greater trip protection benefits.

If you’d like to buy a Travel Guard insurance plan, your best bet is to do so online. The process is simple and efficient and can be done in a matter of minutes. First, you’ll want to head to Travel Guard’s homepage . You’ll be prompted to fill out some personal information to create a quote, including:

Dates of travel.

Destination country.

State of residence. 

When you first made a payment for your trip.

Trip cost. 

Consider comparison shopping

If you're not 100% sold on purchasing a plan from Travel Guard, you can use a travel insurance aggregator to compare policies across multiple companies at once.

To decide which Travel Guard plan is best for you, you’ll want to consider what kind of trip you’re taking.

Look at coverage details

If you don’t need coverage for trip cancellation, Pack N’ Go is significantly cheaper than other options but still provides emergency medical, trip interruption and baggage insurance.

If you’d like to have as much choice as possible, the Deluxe plan offers lots of add-ons, so you can select the ones that fit your needs.

Use existing coverage

Many travel credit cards offer travel insurance, though coverage levels will vary. To qualify for this complimentary insurance, you’ll need to pay for your trip using your eligible card. Common card benefits include trip interruption insurance, baggage delay reimbursement and emergency medical insurance.

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

Yes, Travel Guard provides 24/7 travel assistance. These folks can help you with issues such as finding an English-speaking doctor, helping you after you’ve missed a connection, replacing a lost passport and more.

To reach these services, call 800-927-4357.

If you need to file a claim with Travel Guard, you can either do so online or via phone. The phone number is 866-478-8222.

Online, you can head directly to Travel Guard’s claim form . You’ll need to have your policy number on hand as well as any documentation that you have.

Is Travel Guard travel insurance good? With a variety of plans from which to choose — including one that is significantly cheaper than the others — it’s easy to justify purchasing a Travel Guard policy. To decide whether it’s worth it for you, you’ll want to look at the different policy limits and see which fit your needs.

You’ll also want to do some research; some credit cards offer complimentary travel insurance, which may mean you don’t need to buy a policy at all. Some health insurance plans also offer coverage when you’re overseas , so be sure to ask your insurance provider.

If you’re already at the airport (or on a connection) and your flight is canceled, you may have coverage via trip delay insurance. This coverage can help repay costs such as food, lodging and toiletries.

The time it takes for you to receive a refund for a claim will depend on a variety of factors. It’s best practice to provide as much information as possible when submitting the claim to make the process go smoothly. You can also check the status of your existing claim online .

The medical insurance offered by Travel Guard is primary; otherwise, you’ll want to check your plan documents to see which coverages are primary versus secondary.

Yes, Travel Guard insurance covers instances of COVID.

The time it takes for you to receive a refund for a claim will depend on a variety of factors. It’s best practice to provide as much information as possible when submitting the claim to make the process go smoothly. You can also check the status of your existing claim

» Learn more: Is travel insurance worth it?

Travel Guard offers several trip insurance plans with varying degrees of coverage. Some plans also allow you to purchase optional upgrades such as CFAR and auto rental coverage. Plan availability differs by state, so make sure you input your trip details to see what plans are available to you.

If you have a premium travel credit card , you may already have some elements of travel insurance coverage included for free. Before you decide to purchase a comprehensive policy, check what coverage you may already have from your credit card.

Travel insurance

NerdWallet's ratings for travel insurance companies take into account the following details about each insurer:

Scope of coverage.

Customizability.

Consumer experience and complaints.

The best travel insurers excel in all of these categories. They provide the information people need to make a purchase without any surprises along the way. They offer insurance at a fair price and allow customers to customize plans to meet their coverage preferences. They're also able to keep their customers happy throughout the relationship.

Data collection and review process

NerdWallet collects over a dozen data points for each insurer we analyze from their public-facing websites and third-party analyses. These data points are then compared against one another and against NerdWallet's standards for good travel insurance companies to determine a star rating.

Data is collected on a regular basis and reviewed by our editorial team for consistency and accuracy. Final star ratings are presented on a scale of one to five stars, where a one-star score represents "poor" and a five-star score represents "excellent."

The reviews team

The writers and editors behind NerdWallet's travel insurance reviews are insurance specialists who have had their work featured by or appear in The Associated Press, The Washington Post, The New York Times, the Chicago-Sun Times, U.S. News & World Report and the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet’s strict guidelines for editorial independence .

In addition to travel insurance, the team covers travel rewards programs, airlines and hotels.

Rating specifics

Our star ratings are weighted based on our editorial and professional opinions. We use the following weightings when rating travel insurers:

Scope of coverage (25%).

Customizability (25%).

Consumer experience and complaints (25%).

Cost (25%).

Scope of coverage ratings are based on assessments of a company’s standard protections, including:

Travel medical insurance.

Trip cancellation.

Trip interruption.

Trip delay.

Baggage and personal belongings, lost luggage.

Emergency medical assistance.

Emergency medical evacuation.

Emergency medical repatriation.

Accidental death and dismemberment insurance.

Rental car coverage.

Customizability ratings factor in whether coverage limits are fixed prices or a percentage of the trip cost (the percentage is generally better), whether a policy has customizations available, and the number of bonus features.

24-hour assistance.

Pre-existing medical conditions coverage.

Extreme sport coverage.

CFAR add on availability.

Travel health insurance.

Interruption for Any Reason.

Travel Inconvenience.

Cancel for Work Reasons.

Electronics coverage.

Consumer experience ratings are based on provider reviews on Squaremouth.com. If the company is not in the Squaremouth database, we default to Google reviews.

Affordability ratings are based on the percentage of total trip cost a plan costs a policyholder. Less than 4% is considered excellent, whereas over 9% is considered poor.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

85,000 Earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market.  See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our  credit card rating methodology .

AIG Travel Guard Insurance Coverage Review – Is It Worth It?

Christine Krzyszton

Senior Finance Contributor

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Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

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Table of Contents

Why purchase travel insurance, aig travel guard — coverages and policy options, aig travel guard and covid-19, additional information — aig travel guard, how does aig travel guard compare, the value of travel insurance comparison websites, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our  Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Purchasing insurance for your home, auto, or your life, can be complicated and time-consuming if you want to compare coverages and premium costs between companies. Fortunately, the process of purchasing travel insurance is quite simple , and you can secure immediate coverage within minutes.

It all starts with determining the coverages that most important to you, securing a quote, then making sure you’re purchasing from an established, highly-rated company. One such established travel insurance company is AIG Travel Guard .

With over 25 years of experience and high ratings from premier insurance financial rating company A.M. Best , AIG Travel Guard was named the best travel insurance company of 2020 by Forbes . Its Travel Guard Deluxe policy was also given a top 5-star rating by Forbes’ insurance analysts.

We’ll certainly discuss AIG Travel Guard’s policy offerings in our article today but we also want to discuss why you’d want to purchase travel insurance , whether travel insurance covers COVID-19, the process for obtaining a quote, and additional resources to help ensure you’re receiving good value.

Plus, if you’re wondering if you need to purchase travel insurance or whether you might have enough coverage elsewhere, you’ll want to read on.

While the primary reasons for purchasing travel insurance are to protect your economic investment and to cover unexpected additional expenses you might incur due to trip disruptions, purchasing travel insurance has another, more intangible, purpose.

Purchasing travel insurance can provide peace of mind prior to and during your trip as you won’t be worried that an unforeseen event will result in an economic loss. Knowing you have evacuation insurance when you’re traveling to a remote area on safari, for example, could be tremendously reassuring, even if you never use the coverage.

Here are some sample situations where travel insurance may provide coverage:

• Your sister is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness and you must cancel your trip
• You broke your ankle and will not be able to go on your skiing trip
• You become ill and cannot travel
• You or your traveling companion is terminated or involuntarily laid off from your job
• You are summoned to jury duty or other legal action such as requiring you to appear as a witness

If your trip is expensive, complicated, or you need medical coverage while traveling, a travel insurance policy is a must.

Bottom Line: In addition to protecting your trip investment and covering unexpected expenses due to trip disruptions, travel insurance can also provide peace of mind before and during your travels. 

There’s probably nothing more boring than listing insurance coverages but it’s important to know the types of coverages you can expect when purchasing an AIG Travel Guard policy.

First, AIG Travel Guard offers 3 policy options for U.S. residents (not including NY residents), 3 separate options for NY residents, and 1 policy for Canadian residents.

• Tr avel Guard Essential
• Travel Guard Preferred
• Travel Guard Deluxe
• Travel Guard Essential Expanded — available to NY residents
• Travel Guard Protect Assist — available to NY residents
• Travel Guard Tour, Cruise, & Travel — available to NY residents
• Gold Trip Cancellation Policy — available to Canadian residents

Coverage options and limits will vary by policy, however, you can expect to find the core and optional coverages listed here.

Core Coverages

Here are the types of coverages you’ll find offered on AIG Travel Guard policies and the applicable coverage limits for each type of policy.

There are also additional coverages that may be included at no extra charge, depending on the policy type selected. Terms and conditions apply.

• 1 child under 17 per covered adult is included for no extra charge
• Pre-existing conditions waiver
• Trip exchange coverage
• Single occupancy fee coverage
• Evacuation for a security reason
• Non-flight accidental and dismemberment insurance
• Worldwide travel and medical assistance services

Optional Coverages for an Additional Fee

You may secure any of the following add-on coverages by paying an additional fee.

• Cancel for Any Reason Insurance — covers trip cancellation for any reason
• Rental vehicle damage — coverage for collision damage when renting a vehicle
• Pet bundle coverage — pet care, medical expenses, and adds pet illness to trip cancellation benefit
• Adventure sports coverage — coverage for higher risk adventure activities
• Increased lodging expense bundle — increases the amount covered under travel inconvenience benefit
• Wedding bundle — coverage when a destination wedding is canceled
• Name a family member bundle — select a traveler to be covered as a family member

Hot Tip: For more information and tips on purchasing travel insurance, start here in our article on travel insurance basics .

Travel insurance , in general, is designed to protect you from financial loss due to unforeseen events that may cause you to cancel your trip, or to cover disruptions that could occur during your journey. It is not meant to cover voluntary trip cancellations due to fear of getting ill.

Voluntary cancellations, including those that are related to the fear of getting ill, are not covered on travel insurance policies. However, there is 1 option for obtaining coverage for voluntarily canceling your trip.

Cancel for Any Reason insurance (CFAR) is an optional coverage that can be added to select travel insurance policies allowing you to cancel your trip for any reason you deem necessary and be covered for partial reimbursement.

AIG Travel Guard offers CFAR coverage as an optional add-on to add to its Preferred and Deluxe plans , with these stipulations:

• Must be purchased within 15 days of the initial trip deposit
• The trip must be canceled more than 48 hours prior to departure
• The full cost of the trip must be insured for at the time of purchase

Cancel for Any Reason insurance does not cover the entire cost of the trip. In this case, to add CFAR insurance to the Deluxe and Preferred plans above, the additional premium would be $53.31 for coverage to cover up to 50% of the trip price. Additional options may be available to cover up to 75% of the cost of your trip.

The above prices are for a single trip 1-week in length for a traveler of 40 years of age at a cost of $3,000.

AIG Travel Guard policies, even without the CFAR insurance add-on, offer coverage for trip cancellations due to COVID-19 related illness and also medical coverage should a covered traveler become sick with COVID-19 during their travels. Terms and conditions apply.

Bottom Line: While trip cancellation, trip interruption, and emergency medical may offer some coverage for illness, you must purchase Cancel for Any Reason insurance to have coverage for canceling a trip due to the fear of getting ill. AIG Travel Guard offers this coverage on its Deluxe and Preferred plans.

Point-of-Sale Availability — In addition to offering travel insurance package policies directly to the public, AIG Travel Guard offers travel insurance products via several travel providers including airlines and various travel services. You’ll find the option to purchase Travel Guard protection during the checkout process with companies such as United Airlines or Frontier Airlines when purchasing a flight and when making a travel purchase via Costco Travel .

Call for Additional Quotes — While AIG Travel Guard does sell annual multi-trip policies, you must call to request a quote. Adventure sports coverage, medevac coverage, and rental vehicle damage coverage quotes are also available via phone.

15-Day Free Look Period — If you decide, after you have reviewed your purchased policy, that you do not want it, you may receive a full refund.

Cruise Insurance Option — AIG Travel Guard offers cruise insurance that includes cruise diversion and other applicable coverages.

Filing a claim — to initiate a claim, you can either call AIG Travel Guard at 866-478-8222 or access travelguard.com to begin the process. You will need your policy number handy. Once your claim is submitted, you can check the status at claims.travelguard.com/status .

First, know that when purchasing a policy from AIG Travel Guard, you’re buying from a highly-rated established insurance company. Here’s how the company stacks up in relative comparison with other travel insurance companies.

To Other Travel Insurance Companies

Comparing travel insurance policies can be complicated as coverage limits and prices vary widely. We looked at a 1-week trip to Mexico for a traveler 40 years of age and a total trip cost of $3,000 as criteria for obtaining a quote.

AIG Travel Guard’s Preferred plan, which prices out at around $200, aligns with the John Hancock Bronze policy above. Add in CFAR coverage, however, and the comparison costs are closer to AIG Travel Guard’s $254 premium for its Preferred level plan that also includes CFAR.

This 1 example uses the criteria of a specific trip for an individual traveler of a certain age and may not reflect the same relative premium costs as other comparisons.

Your own individual traveler information, the number of travelers, trip length, destination, state of residence, selected coverages, and the total cost of your trip will ultimately determine the premium cost. Our example is just a narrow snapshot comparison.

Bottom Line: Travel insurance policy coverages and costs vary dramatically. To ensure you’re receiving good value, determine the coverages that are most important to you, compare policy options, and purchase from a reliable company. 

To Credit Card Travel Insurance

The travel insurance coverages that come complimentary on your credit cards are no substitute for a comprehensive travel insurance policy. With that being said, the coverage that comes with your credit card could be enough to cover some trips.

Here are some examples of trips where you may not need travel insurance and the coverage you have on your credit card could be sufficient.

• The trip consists of only a round trip domestic flight and hotel stay
• The trip is a road trip by car
• The trip does not include any non-refundable trip expenses
• The trip does not have several travel providers involved
• Your health insurance covers you while traveling and you are not worried about having additional medical coverage during your trip

Also, keep in mind that coverage offered on your credit card is generally secondary versus a primary travel insurance policy. This means you must first file a claim with other applicable insurance, including coverage with the airline or travel provider, for example, before the credit card coverage will kick in.

Bottom Line: If you have a significant investment at stake, several travel providers involved, or want medical coverage during your travels, you should purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy for your trip and not depend on a credit card with travel insurance . 

Travel insurance is widely available and competitive. You won’t have trouble purchasing some level of coverage regardless of your situation. Additionally, there are travel insurance comparison websites that make it easy to find a policy that fits and purchase coverage that is effective immediately.

These travel insurance comparison websites are each easy to use, have qualified people to assist, and all feature policies offered only by highly-rated companies.

Travelinsurance.com

• Instant coverage
• Simple format, easy to secure a quote quickly
• Guarantees the best price for the policy you’re purchasing

Squaremouth

• Features 20 companies with nearly 120 different policy options
• Its customer service team is award-winning
• You can access thousands of customer reviews

InsureMyTrip

• Educational content to assist you in understanding coverages
• Features 21 highly-rated companies
• Licensed agents can answer questions and assist with a claim

Bottom Line: Travel insurance comparison websites provide quick easy access to securing a quote, compare several high-rated travel insurance providers at once, and the benefit of receiving immediate coverage. 

While airlines and travel providers have made significant changes to cancellation, refund, and exchange policies, it’s still important to consider purchasing travel insurance if you’re uncomfortable with the possibility of losing your trip investment or incurring unexpected expenses during your journey.

In addition, if you need medical insurance coverage during your trip, you won’t find that coverage on a credit card or with the airlines — you’ll need to purchase it.

The fact that AIG Travel Guard does not exclude COVID-19 related claims under certain coverages and offers a Cancel for Any Reason add-on is significant as not every travel insurance company can make that claim.

Also, if you have children traveling with you, you may find good value with AIG Travel Guard having those under 17 included for no extra charge (1 per premium-paying adult).

The bottom line when purchasing travel insurance from AIG Travel Guard is that if you can secure the coverages you need at a price you’re comfortable with and you’ll know you’re completing that transaction with a highly-rated established company.

All information and content provided by Upgraded Points is intended as general information and for educational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as medical advice or legal advice. For more information, see our  Medical & Legal Disclaimers .

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AIG Travel Insurance: The Complete Guide

Everything you need to know before you buy AIG Travel insurance plans

For decades, AIG Travel , part of American International Group, Inc., has provided travel insurance options for many travelers. Marketed under Travel Guard, the company offers travel insurance solutions and travel-related services, including medical and security services, marketed to both leisure and business travelers around the globe.

If you have purchased a trip insurance plan in the past, it may have been provided by AIG Travel without you even knowing it: the company also creates custom policies for several smaller insurance brokers, airlines and even travel groups. Is AIG Travel the right company for your trip? 

About AIG Travel

AIG Travel is a member of American International Group, Inc., a global insurance company that provides everything ranging from property casualty insurance, life insurance, retirement products, and other financial services. Travel Guard is the marketing name that AIG Travel uses to advertise its portfolio of products.

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

How Is AIG Travel Rated?

AIG Travel policies are underwritten by National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, Pa., another subsidiary of AIG. As of June 2018, the policy writer has an A.M. Best A rating, putting them in the “Excellent” credit category with a stable outlook.

For customer service, AIG Travel is highly rated on three major travel insurance marketplaces online. With more than 400 reviews, AIG Travel has a five-star rating from TravelInsurance.com , with a 98 percent recommendation rate. Customers of InsureMyTrip.com give the company 4.56 stars (out of five). Although Squaremouth.com no longer offers AIG Travel policies anymore, previous customers gave the company 4.46 stars (out of five), with less than one percent negative reviews. 

What Travel Insurance Does AIG Travel Offer?

AIG Travel offers four plans for consumers, based on their needs and travel plans: Basic, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Although the Basic plan is not available direct through AIG Travel, it can be purchased through marketplaces like TravelInsurance.com. All travel insurance plans include travel medical assistance, worldwide travel assistance, LiveTravel® Emergency Assistance, and personal security assistance, but only take effect when travelers are at least 100 miles away 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: Travel Guard Basic is the lowest level of coverage available through AIG Travel Guard, with the smallest benefits for trip cancellation , trip interruption , and trip delay. The basic plan offers 100 percent coverage of trip cancellation or trip interruption events (up to $100,000), but has very low coverage ceilings for return airfare due to trip interruption ($500 maximum), trip delay (maximum of $100 per day, up to $500), baggage loss ($500 before a $50 deductible) and baggage delay ($100 maximum). The basic plan includes an optional rental car damage policy for an additional price but does not include options for a pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver or accidental death and dismemberment. Read the schedule of benefits here.
• Travel Guard Silver : Travel Guard Silver is the lowest level of coverage available directly through AIG Travel Guard. Described as “savvy coverage that helps give you peace of mind on a budget,” Travel Guard Silver offers more generous benefits for baggage delay and baggage loss ($750; $50 deductible) and accident sickness medical expenses ($15,000; $50 deductible). This plan also offers optional coverage for pre-existing medical condition exclusion waivers, trip cancellation or interruption due to financial default and additional flight coverage. Typically, travelers who elect to purchase Travel Guard Silver over Travel Guard basic can expect to pay around 2.5% more. Read the schedule of benefits here.
• Travel Guard Gold : The most popular plan offered by AIG Travel Guard, Travel Guard Gold balances insurance costs with benefits. The Gold plan offers more money for trip interruption (150 percent, up to $150,000 maximum), return airfare due to trip interruption (the greater of $750 or 150 percent of the trip cost) and trip delay coverage ($150 per day maximum, up to $750 total). This plan also introduces several additional benefits, including baggage and travel document loss (up to $1,000), baggage delay ($300) and missed connection coverage (up to $250). When purchasing within 15 days of the initial trip payment, travelers may also be covered for pre-existing condition waivers, trip cancellation or interruption due to financial default and primary coverage for accident sickness medical expenses. Optional coverage levels include Cancel for Any Reason insurance (up to 50 percent of insured trip costs), car rental collision coverage and upgrades for medical expense and emergency evacuation coverage. Before any optional coverage, expect to pay 20 percent more for Travel Guard Gold compared to Travel Guard Silver. Read the schedule of benefits here.
• Travel Guard Platinum : Travel Guard Platinum is the highest level of coverage offered by AIG Travel Guard, with the biggest benefit levels. In addition to trip cancellation and trip interruption benefits, travelers can receive up to $1,000 for return air travel due to trip interruption, trip delay benefits of up to $200 per day ($1,000 maximum) and up to $500 in missed connection benefits. Like Travel Guard Gold, travelers who purchase their policy within 15 days of their initial trip payment may also receive the pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver, trip cancellation or interruption coverage due to financial default, primary accident sickness medical expense coverage and primary baggage and personal effects coverage. Optional policy add-ons include Cancel for Any Reason (up to 50 percent of insured trip costs), car rental collision coverage, and medical coverage upgrades. Because Travel Guard Platinum is the highest level of coverage available, it is also the most expensive: travelers should expect to pay between 50 and 60 percent more than Travel Guard Gold before any additional add-on coverage.  Read the schedule of benefits here.

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 crisis while traveling, there are ways to get help anywhere around the world. Note that mental health care may not be covered by your travel insurance plan .
• 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 you return home, be sure to understand what may (or may not) be allowed in your home country. If you believe your items were stolen by customs or Transportation Security Administration officials , there is a separate protocol for reporting those losses.
• Baggage loss for eyeglasses, sunglasses, or hearing aids: Loss or replacement of prescription vision wear is not covered by AIG Travel.

This is just an abbreviated list of situations that may not be covered under AIG Travel trip insurance plans. For a full list, refer to the schedule of benefits of each plan, which are linked in the above content.

How Do I File a Claim With AIG Travel?

Travelers who purchased an AIG Travel plan in the United States can start their claims online . After starting an account online, travelers can file claims for the most common situations, including trip cancellation, baggage loss, and trip delay. Policyholders can also find documentation requirements online , as well as receive updates online. Those who have questions about their policies or claims can call AIG Travel direct at +1-866-478-8222.

The online claims tool is only available for American travelers who purchased their travel insurance plans in the United States. All other travelers should contact AIG Travel directly via their provided telephone number to start the claims process.

Who Is AIG Travel Best For?

At the Basic and Silver levels, AIG Travel is a very basic-level travel insurance plan that may cover those who do not already have trip coverage through a credit card or otherwise have access to a trip insurance plan. Before considering either of these AIG Travel plans, be sure to check that you don't already have coverage through the credit card used to pay for your trip.

If you are planning a major international trip, or are going on a big trip aboard a cruise line, AIG Travel Gold and Platinum may offer better coverage than a credit card. With large benefit levels and coverage already built in for pre-existing conditions when purchased within the first 15 days of an initial travel payment, Gold and Platinum can be a better bet for those who are spending money on a big vacation and want to make sure their trip runs smoothly.

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AIG Travel Guard

Learn about travel insurance plans offered through AIG Travel Guard and how they compare.

Diverse range of travel insurance plans to choose from

Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage available with some plans (conditions apply)

Annual coverage available

Generous limits for emergency medical expenses and medical transportation available

Preexisting medical conditions waiver available (conditions apply)

Low costs for family plans

Essential plan coverage limits may be insufficient

CFAR coverage reimburses at only 50%

What AIG Travel Guard Is Known For

Like many other top travel insurance providers, AIG Travel Guard offers a broad range of plans to cover different types of trips. The company's main coverage options include the basic Essential Plan, the mid-tier Preferred Plan and the top-tier Deluxe Plan, which comes with the highest levels of coverage available.

AIG also offers an annual travel insurance plan that can apply for all trips that an insured individual (or group) takes within a year. Other niche plans from this provider include the Pack 'N Go Plan for last-minute trips, a plan for emergency evacuation and medical transportation, a rental car coverage plan, and an adventure travel insurance plan.

AIG Travel Guard stands out in a few different areas. First, the company offers cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage as an optional add-on with its Preferred and Deluxe plans. However, this coverage only reimburses up to 50% of prepaid travel expenses, which is lower than other providers. CFAR coverage only applies if travel insurance is purchased within 15 days of making an initial payment on a trip.

AIG Travel Guard also offers a preexisting medical conditions waiver when travelers purchase coverage within 15 days of the initial trip payment. Another standout feature of this company is that its mid- and top-tier plans have high coverage limits for emergency medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation. This emergency evacuation coverage, also called "Medevac," can pay for air evacuation services, transportation to the nearest hospital or clinic, medical transportation to your home country, and more.

AIG Travel Guard Travel Insurance for Individual Trips

AIG Travel Guard plans for individual trips come in three tiers with accelerated levels of coverage and more add-ons available. This lets you tailor your travel insurance coverage to your unique needs, including the type of trip you're taking and the perils you want to protect against the most.

The chart below shows the coverages you can get with each tier.

AIG Travel Guard Pack 'N Go Plan

AIG Travel Guard also offers a last-minute coverage option for consumers who don't need trip cancellation coverage. There is only one available tier for this plan, and it includes the following coverages:

AIG Travel Guard Travel Insurance for Multiple Trips

The company also offers an annual travel insurance plan. This type of coverage can work well for frequent travelers who are always jetting off somewhere new but don't want to purchase an individual plan for every trip. Coverages offered include the following:

AIG Travel Guard Travel Insurance Costs

AIG Travel Insurance costs vary based on the number of travelers in a plan, the age of travelers, the cost of the trip, the tier of coverage selected and other details. We received quotes for several sample trips to give you an idea of how much you might pay.

AIG Travel Guard is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and the company also has a low rating with the platform of just 1.08 out of 5 stars. The travel insurance provider has closed 175 customer complaints filed with the BBB in the last 12 months and 791 complaints in the last three years. On Trustpilot, the company has an average star rating of just 1.7 out of 5 stars across 65 reviews on the platform. By contrast, the company has a 4.6 rating on InsureMyTrip. Here's an overview of some positive and negative user reviews that show the experiences of past customers.

Good Customer Service Experience

We bought a TravelGuard policy when we bought airline tickets through Frontier. Only a couple days later Frontier changed our flight times by 13+ hours which would no longer work for our travel plans.

Since it was within the 15 day "review" period TravelGuard fully refunded our premium consistent with their policy quickly and with NO drama.

I was able to talk with TravelGuard customer service with less than a minute of holding. He walked me through the steps to make a written refund request. I heard back from my written request in less than 24 hours. – Sara via Trustpilot

They paid my claim for stolen items when I was in Vegas on an annual travel plan. It did take a few months. The claim amount was three times the premium I originally paid. – Bradley S. via Trustpilot

Travel Guard has been unresponsive and has left me feeling frustrated and disappointed. I booked a trip and purchased trip insurance through Travel Guard. I had to cancel the trip for medical reasons and I filed a claim on January 8, 2024. The information they requested was uploaded on the Travel Guard Portal on January 9, 2024. Forty-eight hours after sending the information, I contacted them to make sure they had all the required information. They confirmed they had all the forms I sent. They told me it would take 10 to 15 business days to review the claim and the insurance adjuster would contact me. It is now February 12th and I have not heard anything from Travel Guard or the adjuster. I have called a few times and keep getting the same run around. I called again today and even asked to speak to a supervisor and was told the supervisor is just going to say the same thing and would not connect me. I paid good money for this trip insurance and am feeling like I was scammed. – William M. via Better Business Bureau

Had to Wait for the Check, But at Least it Came

My husband and I had a flight on Alaskan Airlines from Portland to Tampa, which was canceled because the airlines did not have sufficient staff to operate the flight. We were stuck in Portland for two additional days before we could return home. I thought we would be reimbursed in full, but it turns out, our policy only allowed for a certain amount per person daily. It took a month and a 1/2, but we did receive a check for $600. It wasn't the full amount of two additional days for food, lodging, and rental car, but it was better than nothing. – Clare L. via Trustpilot

Takes two weeks to get response from claims. Then they ask for additional information even though you already sent. Dont get to talk to claims adjusters only email I had to resubmit information again with letter of explanation. Another way to prolong payments. Very flustered with not being able to talk to adjuster. You only talk to a real person when you call in to ask for adjuster. They cant trans the call. Only emails still havent received reimbursement. – Cindy W. via Better Business Bureau

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is a travel writer who covers topics like travel insurance, family travel, all-inclusive resorts and cruises. She has researched travel insurance options for her own vacations and family trips to more than 50 countries around the world and has experience navigating the claims and reimbursement process. Johnson works alongside her husband, Greg, who sells travel insurance through their travel agency, Travel Blue Book .

Read more about AIG Travel Guard in:

• The Best Travel Insurance Companies
• The Best International Travel Insurance
• The Best Vacation Rental Travel Insurance
• The Best Family Travel Insurance

• AIG Travel Guard Overview
• AIG Travel Guard Plans

AIG Travel Guard Cost

How to file a claim with aig travel guard, compare aig travel guard, aig travel guard frequently asked questions.

• Why You Should Trust Us

AIG Travel Insurance Review 2024: Pros & Cons

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate travel insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

AIG Travel Guard is a well-established and highly rated name in the travel insurance industry. It offers three main coverage options to choose from, and in general its policies have above-average coverage for baggage loss and baggage delays, plus high medical evaluation coverage limits. If you're looking for travel insurance, consider Travel Guard .

AIG Travel Guard Travel Insurance Summary

AIG Travel Guard is among the best travel insurance companies with impressive coverage limits, even with its basic plan, Travel Guard Essential. It's emergency medical evacuation coverage is particularly high, making Travel Guard a good choice for insuring cruises, as sea to land evacuations are often expensive. 

Additionally, Travel Guard's Premium and Deluxe plans offer coverage that many of its competitors don't, such as its travel inconvenience coverage and ancillary evacuation coverage.  

That said, Travel Guard is on the pricey side, compared with its competitors. While age is often a factor in your insurance premiums, Travel Guard tends to quote older travelers higher rates than its competitors. However, you often get what you pay for. In Travel Guard's case, you'll find that its coverage justifies its higher rates. 

While great coverage is important, it's also crucial that an insurance company has a smooth claims process, which Travel Guard lacks, according to its customer reviews. Across 135 reviews on its Trustpilot page, AIG Travel Guard received an average of 1.2 stars, with 95% of reviewers giving the company one star. Surprisingly, AIG Travel Guard fares even worse with the Better Business Bureau, receiving an average of 1.08 stars out of five across 301 reviews. 

Coverage Options Offered by AIG Travel Guard

AIG Travel Guard offers three primary plans: Travel Guard Essential, Travel Guard Preferred, and Travel Guard Deluxe. Each plan has different coverage limits and various types of protection.

Here's a look at what you'll get with each plan:

Depending on the policy you select, additional coverages may be included at no extra charge, such as a pre-existing conditions waiver , single occupancy fee coverage, worldwide travel and medical assistance services, and more. Be sure to check each policy closely to see what is and isn't covered.

Each of these plans also includes coverage for one child under 17 as long as their travel costs are equal to or under the adult's cost. Additional coverage does not apply to the child.

AIG Travel Guard Pack N' Go Plan

In addition to these three primary plans, Travel Guard offers the Pack N' Go policy along with an Annual plan. This policy is for last-minute travelers who don't need trip cancellation coverage.

This plan includes:

• Trip interruption and trip delay ($200 per day maximum) up to $1,000
• Missed connection up to $500
• Baggage delay up to $200 and baggage coverage up to $1,000
• Medical expenses up to $25,000 and dental expenses up to $500
• Emergency evacuation and repatriation of remains up to $500,000.

AIG Travel Guard Annual Plan

Taking multiple trips throughout the year? Consider the Travel Guard Annual plan instead of purchasing a new policy for each adventure. This plan comes with coverage for: 

• Trip interruption coverage  up to $2,500
• Trip delay coverag e up to $1,500 ($150 per day maximum)
• Missed connection coverag e up to $500
• Baggage delay coverage up to $1,000 and lost/damaged baggage coverage up to $2,500
• Medical expenses coverage up to $50,000 and dental expenses up to $500
• Emergency evacuation coverage and repatriation of remains up to $500,000
• Accidental death and dismemberment coverage up to $50,000 and security evacuation up to $100,000

Additional Coverage Options from AIG Travel Guard

Like many other travel insurance providers, Travel Guard offers add-ons for an additional cost. These can be selected while you're purchasing your policy.

The availability of these add-ons depends on the policy you're buying. Note also that some are already included in the Preferred and Deluxe plans. 

• Medical bundle — Increases coverage amounts for medical expenses and evacuation and adds hospital of choice and additional evacuation benefits.  
• Security bundle — Provides various coverages for trip interruption or cancellation due to riot or civil disorder.  
• Rental vehicle damage coverage — Reimburses a predetermined amount for physical damage to a rental car in the policyholder's name. 
• Cancel for Any Reason Insurance (CFAR) — This is just what it sounds like. Cancel for any reason coverage will reimburse 75% of nonrefundable expenses when you cancel your trip for any reason, up to 48 hours before your scheduled departure. CFAR coverage is only available for Travel Guard's Deluxe and Preferred plans. 
• Inconvenience bundle — Offers reimbursement for inconveniences like closed attractions, credit/debit card cancellation, hotel construction, and more.
• Pet bundle coverage — Daily travel benefit for boarding and medical expense coverage for illness or injury of dog or cat. Includes trip cancellation or interruption coverage if the pet is in critical condition or dies within seven days before the departure date.
• Adventure sports bundle — Removes the exclusions for adventure and extreme activities.
• Baggage bundle — Your baggage coverage with AIG becomes primary with increased coverage and baggage delay benefits. 
• Wedding bundle — Provides trip cancellation coverage due to wedding cancellation (brides and grooms not covered).
• Name a family member bundle — One person can be named as a Family Member for the purpose of family member-related unforeseen event coverage.

How to Purchase and Manage Your AIG Policy

Getting a quote from AIG Travel Guard is quick and easy. Head to the AIG website and enter basic information about the trip you're looking to cover. You'll get an instant quote for the insurance plans available for your trip, so it's easy to compare each option. Be prepared to provide information including:

• Your state of residence
• Date of birth
• The cost of your trip
• Travel dates
• Destination
• Method of travel

We ran a few simulations to offer examples of how much a Travel Guard policy might cost. You'll see that costs usually fall within 5-7% of the total trip cost, depending on the policy tier you choose.

As of April 2024, a 23-year-old from Illinois taking a weeklong, $3,000 budget trip to Italy would have the following  Travel Guard travel insurance quotes:

• Travel Guard Essential: $86.96
• Travel Guard Preferred: $152.01
• Travel Guard Deluxe: $188.59

Premiums for Travel Guard's various single trip plans are between 2.8% and 6.3%, well within, and even below, the average cost of travel insurance .

A 30-year-old traveler from California is heading to Japan for two weeks, costing $4,000. The Travel Guard travel insurance quotes are:

• Travel Guard Essential: $198.77
• Travel Guard Preferred: $240.39
• Travel Guard Deluxe: $305.04

Premiums for Travel Guard's various single trip plans are between 5% and 7.6%, within the average cost of travel insurance.

A couple of 65-year-olds looking to escape New York for Mexico for two weeks with a trip cost of $6,000 would have the following Travel Guard quotes:

• Travel Guard Essential: $471.10
• Travel Guard Preferred: $618.22
• Travel Guard Deluxe: $834.78

Premiums for Travel Guard's various single trip plans range between 7.9% and 13.9%, which is significantly higher than the average cost. That said, travel insurance is often more expensive as you get older. 

AIG Travel Guard Annual Plan Cost

Getting a quote for the annual plan requires much less information, only asking for the intended policy start date, your state of residence, and how many people you plan to insure. Quotes from AIG remained at $259 per traveler, regardless of state of residence and number of travelers.

Filing a claim with Travel Guard is a straightforward process. You'll need your policy number and can either go to travelguard.com or call Travel Guard at 866-478-8222 to start the claim. Once submitted, you can check the status of your claim at claims.travelguard.com/status.

See how AIG Travel Guard stacks up against the competition and find the right travel insurance policy for you. 

AIG Travel Guard vs. Nationwide Travel Insurance

Nationwide is a household name when it comes to insurance providers and one of the largest and most recognized insurance providers in the US. Similarly to Travel Guard , Nationwide makes it easy to find coverage by offering just two single-trip plans: the Essential and Prime plan.  

In addition, Nationwide offers plans specifically designed for cruises along with annual trip insurance for those who travel a lot throughout the year.  

The Nationwide Essential Plan comes with trip cancellation coverage of up to $10,000, up to $250,000 in emergency medical evacuation, up to $150 per day reimbursement for travel delays of 6+ hours, and coverage for delayed or lost baggage.

In comparison, the Travel Guard Essential plan covers trip cancellations with up to $100,0000 in coverage, up to $150,000 in emergency medical evacuation expenses, up to $100 per day ($500 total) for trip delays of 12+ hours, along with lost or delayed baggage coverage. 

The high-tier Prime Plan from Nationwide offers even more coverage, including trip cancellation up to $30,000, trip interruption coverage up to 200% of the trip cost (maximum of $60,000), missed connection and itinerary change coverage of $500 each, $250 per day for trip delays of 6+ hours, and up to $1 million in coverage for emergency medical evacuation

AIG's highest-tier Deluxe plan comes with trip cancellation coverage of up to $150,000, up to $1,000,000 in emergency medical evacuation, up to $200 per day ($1,000 maximum) reimbursement for travel delays of 12+ hours, and coverage for delayed or lost baggage.

As you can see, it's hard to compare apples to apples when comparing the two different insurance providers. But it helps to know the specifics of the coverages that matter most to you.

Read our Nationwide travel insurance review here.

AIG Travel Guard vs. Allianz Travel Insurance

With Allianz Travel Insurance , you can choose from 10 different insurance plans to find one that suits your needs. Like Travel Guard , it offers one-off policies for specific trips and an annual travel insurance plan for those who take multiple trips a year. Similar to AIG, too, the different plans offer varying levels of coverage. 

Allianz's most popular single-trip option is the OneTrip Prime plan. This plan offers trip cancellation coverage up to $100,000, trip interruption coverage up to $150,000, emergency medical coverage for $50,000, coverage for baggage loss, theft, or damage up to $1,000, and up to $800 in travel delay coverage.

The most similar plan from Travel Guard is the mid-tier Travel Guard Preferred plan, which which you'll get up to $150,000 in trip cancellation coverage, trip interruption coverage up to $225,000, $50,000 in emergency medical coverage, coverage for baggage loss, theft, or damage up to $1,000, and travel delay coverage of up to $800.

A variety of factors will determine the final cost of any of these travel insurance policies. However, when comparing quotes with the same factors, Allianz tends to be cheaper. Additionally, Travel Guard seems to be more sensitive to the traveler's age. However, it's best to compare quotes using your specific personal and trip details to determine which policy is the best for you.

Read our Allianz travel insurance review here.

AIG Travel Guard vs. Credit Card Travel Insurance

Before purchasing a travel insurance plan, take a look at the coverage offered through your travel rewards credit cards. Some of the basic coverages you're looking for, like rental car insurance, may already be available through credit card travel protection . 

The coverage you have on your credit card couple be sufficient if, for example, you're taking a road trip by car and you don't have any non-refundable trip expenses. It could also be enough if your health insurance covers you while you travel and you aren't overly worried about incurring additional medical expenses during your trip.

It's also worth remembering that credit card coverage is usually secondary versus the primary coverage you'd get with a travel insurance policy. Meaning you'll have to file a claim with the other applicable insurance (like through the airline travel provider) before filing a claim with your credit card company.

Read our guide on the best credit cards with travel insurance here.

Depending on the single trip plan you choose, AIG Travel Guard offers $15,000-$100,000 in emergency medical expense coverage.

All three of Travel Guard's single trip policies offer pre-existing condition waivers as long as you purchase your policy within 15 days of your initial trip payment.

Your coverage depends on the policy you buy, but all policies will cover (up to a specified limit) trip cancellation, interruption, delay, emergency medical expenses, lost and delayed baggage, and emergency evacuation. 

Yes, Travel Guard plans cover trip cancellation and interruption due to illness, injury, or death of a family member. If your trip is delayed or canceled due to inclement weather, that's covered too. AIG Travel Guard's is also among the best CFAR travel insurance companies.

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed AIG Travel Guard

The policy that's best for you will be the one that offers the right amount and type of coverage, fits your budget, and is easy to use if you ever need it.

In reviewing Travel Guard , we looked at the company's travel insurance offerings and compared them to plans offered by the top travel insurance companies in the space. Factors considered included things like coverage options, claim limits, what's covered, available add-ons, and typical insurance policy costs. We also considered buyer preferences.

Read more about how Business Insider rates insurance providers .

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

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AIG Travel Guard Travel Insurance Review and Pricing (2024)

with our comparison partner, TravelInsurance.com

Alex Carver is a writer and researcher based in Charlotte, N.C. A contributor to major news websites such as Automoblog and USA Today, she’s written content in sectors such as insurance, warranties, shipping, real estate and more.

Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.

Here’s a breakdown of how we reviewed and rated the best travel insurance companies

After researching and rating 20 different travel insurance companies , the MarketWatch Guides team awarded AIG Travel Guard 4.6 out of 5 stars based on our comprehensive provider review methodology. AIG offers eight policies that can provide medical and trip coverage for a wide variety of traveler needs. In this review, we will examine AIG’s coverage options, costs, customer service reviews and more.

• Average plan cost: $171–$319
• Emergency medical coverage: Up to $150,000
• Trip cancellation coverage: 100%
• CFAR coverage: 50%

*Indicates AD&D coverage for non-flight-related incidents. However, the company offers flight-related AD&D coverage as an add-on.

Our Thoughts on AIG

We awarded AIG Travel Guard 4.6 out of 5 stars when rated using our provider review methodology, naming it our pick for families. The provider includes coverage for one child under 17 years old when you purchase a travel plan for an adult, offering the opportunity to save on a policy if you travel as a family. We appreciate how AIG provides an annual travel insurance plan and a special Medevac plan that can cover trips lasting up to a year. However, some coverages aren’t available for purchase online, requiring you to call a customer representative for more information.

AIG earned full points for cost, coverage details, delay coverage amounts, customer service and reviews when scored against our review criteria. It lost points for offering only 50% reimbursement through its cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage, which is also only available for higher-tier plans. But if you’re looking for coverage that suits a traveling family, AIG may fit your needs.

Pros and Cons

Offers an annual, multi-trip travel insurance plan

Includes coverage for one child under 17 years old with each adult policy

Provides various add-ons, such as adventure sports and pet coverage

Offers 24/7 travel assistance services

CFAR upgrade only provides 50% reimbursement

Has many negative customer reviews on Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau (BBB), according to our research

Some plans require assistance from a customer representative to purchase

How AIG Scored in Our Methodology

After analyzing AIG using our travel insurance methodology, the company earned 4.6 out of 5 stars — higher than the average of 4.4 out of 5 stars across our industry-wide review. AIG lost points for its lack of coverage for business equipment, only offering CFAR coverage with a 50% reimbursement, and having a longer hurricane and weather delay time constraint of 12 to 18 hours.

Rating is based off of MarketWatch Methodology Guidelines

AIG Travel Guard Review: Ratings Breakdown

In the table listed below, you can see a more detailed breakdown of how AIG Travel Guard scored in our 2024 travel insurance study. We’ve also listed averages from all providers in our study for comparison.

Compare AIG Travel Guard Other Travel Insurance Providers

You can use the table below to compare AIG Travel Guard and its competitors in the travel insurance sphere.

AIG vs. Allianz

AIG and Allianz have plans that are similar in more ways than one. The AIG Travel Guard Deluxe and Allianz OneTrip Premier plans include the same level of trip cancellation and interruption benefits and emergency evacuation and repatriation coverage limits. Allianz offers slightly higher baggage delay benefits and trip delay coverage, while AIG offers more medical expense coverage and an overall cheaper price.

Unlike AIG Travel Guard, Allianz’s OneTrip Premier plan does not offer CFAR coverage. However, Allianz provides a mobile app and has a higher AM Best credit rating than AIG. See the table below to compare AIG Travel Guard’s Deluxe policy directly with Allianz’s OneTrip Premier plan.

Read more in our Allianz travel insurance review .

AIG vs. Faye

While AIG and Faye both offer 100% trip cancellation benefits and 150% trip interruption co v erage , the similarities end here. On average, Faye is 7% cheaper than AIG’s comparable travel insurance plan. In addition, Faye offers higher limits for medical expenses and, most notably, trip delay coverage. However, AIG provides more coverage for emergency evacuation and repatriation, lost baggage and baggage delays.

It’s worth noting that Faye offers only one travel protection plan, while AIG offers more than six for travelers to choose from. See the table below for a comparison of the AIG Travel Guard Deluxe plan and Faye’s Travel Protection plan.

Learn more about the Travel Protection plan in our Faye travel insurance review .

What Does AIG Travel Guard Cover?

AIG offers eight travel insurance plans, providing a variety of coverages to suit the needs of multiple travelers. The company provides five online travel insurance packages, three of which are available in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. In addition, the company tailors two of the five online packages toward last-minute travelers and those seeking annual, multi-trip coverage. 

AIG also provides three additional “offline” travel insurance packages, which are specialty plans only available for purchase once you’ve spoken to a customer service representative. 

AIG Policy Options

AIG is among 11 out of 21 providers our team has rated and reviewed that offer six or more policy options to choose from. Five AIG plans are available for purchase online, with three additional options available by calling and speaking with a customer representative.

Of the five online plans, AIG Travel Guard’s Deluxe, Preferred and Essential plans are available nationwide. These are the provider’s standard plans, offering coverage for emergency medical care, trip protection and more. See the table below for a comparison of these three plans.

Out of AIG’s three standard Travel Guard policies, its Essential plan is the most affordable. After gathering quotes using seven unique traveler profiles, our team found the Essential plan costs $171 on average.

In addition to the three online options detailed above, AIG offers a Pack N’ Go plan and an Annual policy available for online purchase. The provider describes the Pack N’ Go plan as ideal for last-minute travelers willing to forego trip cancellation coverage. Note that this policy is unavailable to Montana residents. In contrast, the Annual plan offers coverage for multiple trips over a year. However, this policy isn’t available for Washington residents. 

AIG Offline Travel Insurance Packages

AIG provides “offline” travel insurance packages, which require you to call the company for a quote. These include Travel Guard Plus, Medevac Per Trip and Rental Vehicle Damage plans.

Travel Guard Plus is the most comprehensive travel insurance package offered through AIG, based on our review. It includes the provider’s highest level of medical expense coverage, allowing you to choose the hospital of your choice for any necessary treatment. In addition, AIG provides adventure sports coverage as standard with this plan.

AIG’s Medevac Per Trip plan can provide worldwide travel medical insurance and evacuation coverage for trips lasting up to one year. This policy also offers security evacuation coverage, which includes coverage for natural disasters. AIG recommends this travel policy for those applying for a Schengen Visa , which is needed for American citizens visiting the area for more than 90 days .

Rental vehicle damage coverage includes $35,000 or $50,000 in primary coverage for collision damage to a rental car. However, you’re subject to a $250 deductible. Note this package doesn’t include liability coverage, which car rental companies typically require.

AIG Optional Add-On Coverage

AIG Travel Guard offers various “enhancements” you can buy for extra protection during your travels. You’ll need to call a customer service representative for pricing on these add-on coverages. Based on our experience, not every add-on is available for purchase online. Add-on availability may also vary by plan — for example, AIG includes some endorsements as standard when you purchase the Deluxe plan.

• CFAR coverage : CFAR coverage allows you to receive a partial reimbursement on nonrefundable trip costs no matter why you cancel. This means you can cancel a trip for reasons outside those listed in your policy. CFAR add-on coverage is available on AIG’s Travel Guard Deluxe and Preferred Plans.
• Adventure sports bundle : This add-on removes the exclusions for adventure sports and extreme activities from the benefits featured in your policy.
• Name Your Family bundle : Allows you to include one person as a family member to benefit from related unforeseen event coverage.
• Pet bundle : This includes a daily benefit for boarding and medical expenses if your dog or cat experiences an illness or injury while traveling. It also includes trip cancellation and interruption coverage if your pet is in critical condition or dies before your departure date.
• Rental vehicle damage coverage : This rider adds collision coverage, which can help if you rent a car during your travel. This coverage does not include the liability coverage required by rental car companies. 
• Wedding bundle : This covers trip cancellations due to a wedding cancellation, as long as you’re not the bride or groom.
• Security bundle : An add-on that covers security evacuations, trip cancellations, and trip interruptions caused by riots and civil disorders.
• Quarantine bundle : Provides a daily financial allowance if new travel restrictions or government advisories require policyholders to follow an unexpected quarantine.

How Much Does AIG Travel Guard Cost?

According to our research and quotes gathered for various AIG Travel Guard travel insurance policies, a plan costs $251 on average. This is almost 14% more than the average cost across 20 different travel insurance providers we’ve reviewed and rated. Note that travel insurance costs depend on factors such as your age, total trip cost, destination and more. Your costs for an AIG policy may vary. 

To help you better understand the cost of an AIG plan, we gathered quotes for the provider’s Deluxe, Preferred and Essential plans using seven different sample traveler profiles. 

Based on quotes gathered from 20 different providers using seven unique sample traveler profiles, our research team found that the average cost of travel insurance is $221. Comparatively, an AIG Travel Guard plan may cost you around $251.

Does AIG Travel Guard Offer 24/7 Travel Assistance?

AIG Travel Guard offers 24/7 travel assistance benefits by coordinating, negotiating and consulting with a network of worldwide partners — travel assistance is not directly supplied by AIG itself. Our research shows that the benefits offered depend on your chosen plan.

You can find travel medical, worldwide travel, emergency travel and identity theft assistance with AIG policies. This assistance can help you with things such as physician referrals, medical evacuations, lost or stolen baggage, hotel reservations and more. You may also find concierge services included with your plan, which can help you with restaurant reservations, sporting or theater tickets, and more. AIG’s Deluxe plan notably offers up to $50 in roadside assistance coverage per car, which can help with towing, flat tires and lock-outs.

How To Buy an AIG Travel Guard Policy

In our experience, AIG makes it simple to buy a policy, as you can purchase five of its eight plans entirely online. When beginning the quote process, you’ll need to provide information such as the country you’re traveling to, your method of travel (airplane, cruise, etc.) trip dates, initial payment date and total trip cost. The company will also ask for personal information, such as your date of birth and state of residence.

Once you’ve supplied this information, you should see a page that allows you to easily compare eligible plans. Once you’ve chosen the plan you want, you can select optional coverages for an additional cost. Note that the add-ons offered will depend on the plan. AIG Travel Guard supplies detailed information about what each add-on entails, helping ensure you fully understand what you’re purchasing before you commit to a policy.

From here, you’ll need to provide more personal information, such as your name, address, email and more. The company will also ask whether you worked with a travel agent to book your plans. Note that AIG offered us the option to receive policy documents by email or domestic mail. Finally, the provider will ask you for additional travel details. Since we chose to travel by air, AIG asked which airline we were flying with to our destination. AIG will then ask for your payment information to finalize your purchase.

If you want to purchase a Travel Guard Plus, Medevac or Rental Vehicle Damage plan, you will need to call and speak with a customer service representative. In addition to these three specialty plans, some add-on coverages are also unavailable online.

AIG Customer Reviews

Customer reviews and ratings for travel insurance providers can help you better understand the level of service a company offers its policyholders. Our research found that AIG currently holds a 1.1 out of 5-star rating on the BBB and a 1.7 out of 5-star rating on Trustpilot.

Our research team read dozens of reviews posted by policyholders to learn more about what customers like and dislike about AIG. Because this provider’s ratings are low, we had difficulty finding reviews from recent months that featured a positive experience. Note that the positive reviews featured below may be a year or older.

What Customers Like

• Sufficient claim payouts : One customer reported that AIG paid their claim for items stolen during their trip. However, the reviewer also noted the company took several months to settle the claim. 
• Customer service : This policyholder appreciated how AIG’s customer service representative walked them through their claim. The customer said they heard back from the provider about a written refund request in less than 24 hours.

What Customers Don’t Like

• Difficult claims process : We found many reviewers who expressed frustration with AIG’s claims process, with some customers calling it “nearly impossible” and discouraging.
• Excessive documentation requests : Several policyholders, such as this reviewer , mention the company asking for documentation beyond what they felt was reasonable.
• Refund processing times : Reviewers, such as this policyholder , voiced frustration over how long the refund process takes after their claim is approved.

Our team reached out to AIG for comment on the negative reviews and lower scores included in our review but did not receive a response.

How To File a Claim with AIG

AIG allows you to file a claim through its online portal and tells policyholders to expect the submission process to take around 15 to 20 minutes to complete. Once you submit your claim, you should receive a claim number allowing you to track the status of your claim online. Note that you must cancel any travel arrangements before beginning the claim process. If you have questions during the claims process, AIG offers technical support and a claims line for assistance. 

Documents that AIG may request during the claim process include proof of travel, proof of insured trip, incident reports, receipts for claimed expenses, medical reports and more. If you’re filing a claim related to illness from COVID-19, you must submit a positive test result or at-home test verified by a medical professional for your claim to be considered for approval.

As we read through customer reviews specifically mentioning AIG’s claim process, we found that many policyholders were frustrated with the company for various reasons. This reviewer voiced disappointment about the excessive documentation requested by the company. Other policyholders, such as this one , feel that claims handling is non-existent.

Is AIG Travel Guard Worth It?

Based on our research, we found that AIG’s plans include all the standard protections you’ll find with competitors, plus add-on coverages for a broader range of circumstances. We appreciate how the provider offers an annual, multi-trip travel insurance plan in addition to including one child under 17 years old with each adult policy purchased. We feel that coverage from AIG Travel Guard could offer benefits if you’re looking for travel insurance for families or an annual plan to cover multiple trips.

According to the 86 AIG travel insurance policy purchasers in our travel insurance survey, 98% said travel insurance with AIG was worth the cost, and of those who filed a claim, 98% were satisfied with their payout.

However, our research found that AIG’s customer reviews on the BBB and Trustpilot are mostly negative. In addition, its optional CFAR coverage only provides up to 50% reimbursement of non-refundable travel expenses, lower than some competitors. As a best practice, we encourage you to do your own research when shopping for a travel insurance policy, read customer reviews and gather quotes to compare. This way, you can find a policy that suits your travel needs and budget.

Frequently Asked Questions about AIG Travel Guard

Are aig and travel guard the same.

AIG and Travel Guard are related but not the same. AIG is a multinational insurance corporation that offers a wide range of insurance products and services, including travel insurance. AIG Travel Guard is a brand of travel insurance offered by AIG. In other words, Travel Guard is a specific type of travel insurance product offered by AIG, but it is not the only insurance product offered by the company.

What is the average cost of an AIG Travel Guard policy?

According to quotes gathered by our research team, the average cost of an AIG Travel Guard policy is $251. We calculated this average using quotes gathered from the provider based on seven unique sample traveler profiles. Note that your costs for an AIG Travel Guard policy will vary depending on factors such as your age, total trip cost and more.

Is AIG a trustworthy company?

Our team found that AIG is a trustworthy company with accreditation and an A+ rating with the BBB. AIG also maintains an A rating from the financial rating agency AM Best, indicating it can pay claims. While our research team found some customer reviews expressing frustration regarding AIG rejecting claims, the company is a legitimate insurer. To prevent the potential for denied claims, we recommend reviewing the policy you’re buying to understand what it does and does not cover.

Does AIG Travel Guard cover COVID-19?

Yes, AIG Travel Guard covers COVID by treating it as any other unexpected illness under policy terms. If you test positive for the virus during your trip, you could be eligible for medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation , trip interruption and trip delay benefits. Note that AIG requires a confirmed diagnosis and proof of illness form for any claims related to COVID-19.

Methodology: Our System for Rating Travel Insurance Companies

• A 30-year-old couple taking a $5,000 vacation to Mexico.
• A family of four taking an $8,000 vacation to Mexico.
• A 65-year-old couple taking a $7,000 vacation to the United Kingdom.
• A 30-year-old couple taking a $7,000 trip to the United Kingdom.
• A 19-year-old taking a $2,000 trip to France.
• A 27-year-old couple taking a $1,200 trip to Greece.
• A 51-year-old couple taking a $2,000 trip to Spain.
• Plan availability (10%): We look for insurers with a variety of travel insurance plans and the ability to customize a policy with coverage upgrades.
• Coverage details (29%): We review the baseline coverage each company offers in its cheapest comprehensive plan. A provider with robust coverage earns full points, including baggage delay and loss, COVID-19 coverage, emergency evacuation and medical coverage, trip delay and cancellation coverage, and more. Companies also receive points for offering a variety of policy add-ons like accidental death and dismemberment, extreme sports, valuable items, cancel for any reason coverage and more.
• Coverage times and amounts (34%): We compare each company’s waiting periods and maximum reimbursement amounts for baggage, travel and weather delays. Companies that offer customers reimbursement after fewer than 12 hours of delays earn full points in this category. We also reward travel insurance providers that cover more than 100% of trip costs in the event of cancellations or interruptions.
• Company service and reviews (17%): We look for indicators that a company is well-prepared to respond to customer needs. Companies with an established global resource network, 24/7 emergency hotline, mobile app, multiple ways to file a claim and concierge services score higher in this category. We assess reputation by evaluating consumer reviews, third-party financial strength and customer experience ratings, specifically from AM Best and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

For more information, read our full travel insurance methodology.

A.M. Best Disclaimer

If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team at editors@marketwatchguides. com .

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