AIG Travel Guard is a well-established and highly rated name in the travel insurance industry, owned by insurance conglomerate American International Group or AIG. It offers three main coverage options to choose from: Essential, Preferred, and Deluxe.
Business Insider compared Travel Guard to the best travel insurance companies and found it to be a standout offering with an especially good basic plan that still offers high coverage limits, child-inclusive pricing, and preexisting condition waivers.
AIG Travel Guard Pros and Cons
AIG Travel Guard Pros
- Preexisting condition waivers available with cheapest plan
- Child-inclusive pricing available with all plans
- High coverage limits, even on cheaper plans
AIG Travel Guard Cons
- Relatively expensive, especially for older travelers
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- Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of the cost, for all three plan levels
- CFAR covers up to 75% of total trip costs (maximum of $112,500 on some plans)
- Medical coverage of up to $500,000 and evacuation of up to $1,000,000 per person
- Includes COVID coverage
- Above average baggage loss and delay benefits
- High medical evacuation coverage
- Premiums may run slightly higher than competitors
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.
- Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost
- Trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost
- Preexisting medical conditions exclusions waiver must be purchased within 15 days of initial trip payment
- Annual travel insurance plan and Pack N' Go plan (for last-minute trips) available
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- Zero Complaint Guarantee
- Streamlined comparison platform
- Variety of partnered travel insurance companies
- Customer service team is difficult to reach
SquareMouth is an online marketplace that helps you choose a travel insurance policy from 32 companies that shares a comprehensive, streamlined overview page for each insurance provider.
SquareMouth Travel Insurance
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- Policy coverage includes most pre-existing health conditions
- Generous medical and evacuation amounts for peace of mind
- COVID coverage included by default on all insurance plans
- Offers a wide range of plans for various budgets and travel needs
- Some plans offer CFAR, “cancel for work reasons,” financial default, and unemployment coverage
- Limited add-on coverage options
- Baggage loss and delay coverage is low compared to competitors
Tin Leg travel insurance offers eight travel insurance plans to meet the unique needs of travelers.
Tin Leg- Tin Leg was founded in 2014 by the travel insurance industry experts at Squaremouth. Designed to meet the most common needs of travelers, these policies offer comprehensive Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption benefits, and a range of Emergency Medical and Medical Evacuation limits.
- Options to cover sports equipment
- Option to increase medical coverage
- Can cancel up to 48 hours before travel when CFAR option is purchased
- Affordable coverage for budget-conscious travelers
- Includes generous baggage delay, loss and trip delay coverage
- Optional "adventure sports" bundle available for riskier activities
- Pricier than some competitors with lower coverage ceilings
- Some competitors offer higher medical emergency coverage
Travelex travel insurance is one of the largest travel insurance providers in the U.S. providing domestic and international coverage options. It offers a basic, select, and America option. Read on to learn more.
Travelex Travel Insurance- Optional CFAR insurance available with the Ultimate plan
- Travel delay insurance starting at $500 with the Advantage plan
- Emergency medical and dental coverage starting at $15,000
AIG Travel Guard Travel Insurance Overview
AIG Travel Guard offers impressive coverage limits, even with its basic plan, Travel Guard Essential. Additionally, the Essential plan offers optional preexisting condition waivers and child-inclusive pricing, which many travel insurance companies reserve for higher tiers of coverage. This makes Travel Guard a great option for family travel insurance.
Travel guard's emergency medical evacuation coverage is particularly high, making it d a good choice for insuring cruises, as sea to land evacuations are often expensive.
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.
AIG Travel Guard Plans and Coverages
AIG Travel Guard offers three primary plans: Essential, Preferred, and Deluxe. Each plan has different coverage limits and various types of protection.
Here's a look at what you'll get with each plan:
| Coverage | Travel Guard Essential | Travel Guard Preferred | Travel Guard Deluxe |
| Trip Cancellation | 100% ($100K max) | 100% ($150K max) | 100% ($150K max) |
| Trip Interruption | 100% ($150K max) | 150% ($225K max) | 150% ($225K max) |
| Trip Delay | $500 ($100/day) | $800 ($200/day) | $1,000 ($200/day) |
| Trip Delay-Return Transportation Only | $500 | $750 | $1,000 |
| Trip Exchange | N/A | 50% ($75k max) | 50% ($75k max) |
| Missed Connection | Optional (Up to $150) | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| Trip Saver | N/A | $2,500 | $2,500 |
| Travel Inconvenience | N/A | $750 ($250 limit per coverage) | $750 ($250 limit per coverage) |
| Baggage Insurance | $750 | $1,000 | $2,500 |
| Baggage Delay | $200 | $300 | $500 |
| Travel Medical/Dental | $15K/$500 | $50K/$500 | $100K/$500 |
| Emergency Evacuation | $150K | $500K | $1 million |
| Security Evacuation | Optional | N/A | $100K |
| Flight Guard | N/A | N/A | $100K |
| Accidental Death/Dismemberment | $30K | $30K | $30K |
| Ancillary Evacuation Benefits | N/A | $5,000 | $5,000 |
Depending on the policy you select, additional coverages may be included at no extra charge, such as a preexisting conditions waiver, single occupancy fee coverage, and worldwide travel and medical assistance services. 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.
All plans include assistance services, which can help with all kinds of emergencies, general travel information, and concierge services like restaurant referrals and reservations.
AIG Travel Guard Pack N' Go Plan
In addition to these three primary plans, Travel Guard offers the Pack N' Go policy. This policy is for last-minute travelers who don't need trip cancellation coverage.
This plan offers:
- 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 offers the following coverage:
- Trip interruption coverage up to $2,500
- Trip delay coverage up to $1,500 ($150 per day maximum)
- Missed connection coverage 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
Travel Guard's annual plan is not available in New York and Washington state.
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, and hotel construction.
- Quarantine bundle — Provides benefits for mandatory quarantines ordered by a physician or local health official as a result of exposure or diagnosis of a communicable disease.
- 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.
AIG Travel Guard Cost
Travel insurance premiums generally end up on the higher end of the
Getting a quote from Travel Guard is quick and easy. Head to the Travel Guard 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.
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: $91.31
- Travel Guard Preferred: $159.61
- Travel Guard Deluxe: $198.02
Premiums for Travel Guard's various single trip plans are between 3% and 6.6%, 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: $208.71
- Travel Guard Preferred: $252.41
- Travel Guard Deluxe: $320.29
Premiums for this vacation range between 5.2% and 8%, within the average cost of travel insurance, though on the higher end of the range.
A family, consisting of two 40-year-old parents, a 4-year-old, and a 10-year-old, taking a $20,000 trip to Australia for two weeks would pay the following:
- Travel Guard Essential: $363.16
- Travel Guard Preferred: $631.76
- Travel Guard Deluxe: $809.38
Premiums for this vacation range between 1.8% and 4.1%, just below the typical range 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: $506.40
- Travel Guard Preferred: $664.56
- Travel Guard Deluxe: $897.34
Premiums for Travel Guard's various single trip plans range between 8.4% and 15%, which is significantly higher than the average cost. While travel insurance is often more expensive as you get older, this is still relatively high compared to many of Travel Guard's competitors.
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.
How to Purchase and Manage an AIG Travel Guard Policy
You'll want to purchase your Travel Guard policy soon after you book a trip and make an initial trip deposit.
Once you consider your needs and options, you can start the purchasing process by requesting a quote on Travel Guard website. You'll need to provide your birthday, trip cost, home state, travel dates, and booking date.
Depending on your policy and when you booked the trip, you may be eligible for add-ons like CFAR coverage or preexisting condition waivers as long as you purchase your policy within the specified time frame.
Note that you have a 15-day free look period after purchasing, which means you can cancel the policy during this time and receive a refund.
How to File A Claim with AIG Travel Guard
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. Claims must be filed within 20 days of the loss.
You'll need to provide proof to substantiate your claim, so be sure to keep all documents related to the incident, like invoices and letters from doctors, notices of delayed departures, and police reports.
AIG Travel Guard Customer Reviews and Ratings
AIG Travel Guard has overwhelmingly negative reviews online. The company has an average of 1.6 stars on Trustpilot and 1.08 stars on its Better Business Bureau page.
Many reviews reported Travel Guard denying claims or paying partial claims. Customers reported feeling blindsided by exclusions mentioned in the fine print that they felt should've been communicated more explicitly by Travel Guard.
Travel Guard's mobile app doesn't do much better, receiving an average of 2.8 stars on the Apple app store and 1.6 stars on the Google Play store. Users complain that the app refuses to launch and crashes constantly.
Let's look at how Travel Guard fares in ratings from third-party organizations.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners' complaint index rates insurance companies based on how many complaints they receive against its share of the market. A 1.00 means that a company has an expected number of complaints based on its size. A lower score indicates fewer complaints than expected and a higher number indicates more complaints than expected.
Travel Guard is underwritten by National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburg, which scored 0.26, indicating that it has far fewer complaints than expected.
Additionally, American International Group, the owner of National Union Fire Insurance Co. and operator of Travel Guard, has an A (Excellent) Financial Strength Rating from AM Best, indicating that it's likely to uphold its financial obligations, like paying out claims.
AIG Travel Guard Alternatives
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 Nationwide Travel Insurance 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.
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.
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.
AIG Travel Guard FAQs
Depending on the single trip plan you choose, AIG Travel Guard offers $15,000-$100,000 in emergency medical expense coverage.
All three Travel Guard insurance policies cover preexisting conditions as long as you purchase your policy within 15 days of your initial trip deposit.
All Travel Guard travel insurance policies cover trip cancellation, interruption, emergency evacuation, emergency medical costs, and baggage delay/theft.
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.
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.
