AIG Travel Guard Travel Insurance Review and Pricing (2024)

AIG Travel Guard offers a range of plan and upgrade options to protect international travel, but prices are often higher than competitors.

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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.

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

Our team reviewed over 20 travel insurance companies, collecting and comparing data on cost, number of plans offered, coverage details, CFAR coverage amount and more.

We've gathered over 500 sample quotes from various travel insurance companies with different age ranges, trip locations, durations and prices. This compilation provides readers with an accurate perspective on pricing and allows them to compare how competitors stack up in terms of rates. We make sure to update our pages regularly to reflect the most current and precise cost information.

Our comprehensive rating system evaluates providers based on 36 data points across 9 key categories: cost and variety of plans, coverage extras, coverage details, Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage amount, claim eligibility for delays, cancellation/interruption coverage amount, delay coverage amount, customer service and credit rating.

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.

AIG Travel Insurance is a top-rated travel insurance company

• 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.

AIG Travel Insurance Rating

Rating is based off of MarketWatch Methodology Guidelines

AIG Travel Guard earned the maximum points for offering below-average annual premium costs and six or more travel insurance plans. 5 / 5

While AIG Travel Guard offers seven of the eight common add-ons we consider in this category, it lost points for lacking business equipment coverage. 4.4 / 5

We awarded AIG Travel Guard full points in this category for meeting our standards for flight, medical and delay coverage details. 5 / 5

AIG Travel Guard’s CFAR coverage only extends to 50% of total trip costs, contributing to its lower score in this category. 3.5 / 5

The company’s score for this factor results from having a longer baggage delay eligibility window of 19 to 24 hours and a hurricane and weather delay window of 12 to 18 hours. 3.8 / 5

AIG Travel Guard provides 100% coverage for both trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage. 4.6 / 5

AIG Travel Guard earned maximum points for this factor for offering over $500 in travel delay coverage and over $200 in baggage delay coverage. 5 / 5

AIG Travel Guard earned points for offering 24-hour assistance, a mobile app, concierge services, two ways to file a claim and more. It also earned a bonus point for holding BBB accreditation. 5 / 5

The company has an AM Best rating of A+, which influenced its score in this category. 4 / 5

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 Travel Guard EXPLORE PLANS

AIG Travel Guard EXPLORE PLANS

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.

AIG vs. Faye

While AIG and Faye both offer 100% trip cancellation benefits and 150% trip interruption coverage, 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.

MARKETWATCH GUIDES TIP

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

• Cost (10%): To determine a baseline average travel insurance cost, we gathered quotes from each travel insurance company based on different traveler profiles. Travel insurance companies at or below our calculated average cost of $221 earn full points in this category. Specifically, we obtained quotes for the following trips
  • 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.

  For more information, read our full travel insurance methodology.

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