does travel guard insurance cover flight changes

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Millions of travelers each year trust AIG's Travel Guard to cover their vacations

Travel insurance plans provide coverage for certain costs and losses associated with traveling. Travel Guard ® helps you navigate canceled flights, lost bags, sudden health emergencies, and much more—almost anywhere in the world. Whether you’re planning a two-day getaway, a cruise, an adventure vacation, or a month-long international holiday, our plans help cover travelers and their trip inverstments.

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Coverage available to residents of U.S. states and the District of Columbia only. These plans provide insurance coverage that only applies during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of each policy with your existing life, health, home, and automobile insurance policies, as well as any other coverage which you may already have or is available to you, including through other insurers, as a member of an organization, or through your credit card program(s). If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer or insurance agent or broker. Coverage is offered by Travel Guard Group, Inc .(Travel Guard). California lic. no. 0B93606, 3300 Business Park Drive, Stevens Point, WI 54482,  www.travelguard.com.  CA DOI toll free number: 800-927-HELP.

This is only a brief description of the coverage(s) available. The policy will contain reductions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions. Insurance underwritten by National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, Pa., a Pennsylvania insurance company, with its principal place of business at 1271 Ave of the Americas, Floor 41, New York, NY, 10020-1304. It is currently authorized to transact business in all states and the District of Columbia. NAIC No. 19445. Coverage may not be available in all states.

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

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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.

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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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Travel Erudition

Does travel guard insurance cover flight changes?

If you have to make a change to your travel plans, it’s important to know if your insurance will cover the new costs. Travel Guard is one of the most popular travel insurance companies, and they offer a variety of different coverage options. So, does Travel Guard insurance cover flight changes? YES! As long as you have the Standard or Gold plan, you’ll be covered for up to $500 in flight change fees.

Yes, Travel Guard insurance does cover flight changes.

Does travel insurance cover flight changes?

Most travel insurance policies will cover flight changes that are made by the traveler. However, if the airline makes a change to your itinerary or cancels your flight, your travel insurance policy could provide coverage for the change fees to reissue your ticket.

In addition to the 24-hour emergency travel services, Travel Guard also offers a variety of other services to help travelers during their trip. These services include trip cancellation and interruption protection, lost baggage protection, and medical and dental coverage. Travel Guard also offers a variety of optional coverages, such as sports coverage for travelers participating in activities like skiing or golfing, and coverage for travelers who are going on cruises.

Can I change my flight for free with insurance

However, this is not always the case, so it is important to check your policy documents before you travel. Some policies may have a specific exclusion for airline reissue fees, so you would not be covered for this cost.

If you have to cancel your flight or holiday due to an insured reason like illness, redundancy, or your home becoming uninhabitable, you can make a claim on your travel insurance to get back the cost. This type of insurance can give you peace of mind and protection in case something unexpected happens.

What am I entitled to if my flight is changed?

If an airline makes a significant schedule change or delays a flight significantly, and the consumer chooses not to travel, the consumer is entitled to a refund.

If you need to change your flight and the change is significant, you can request a refund. This is even possible with a non-refundable basic economy fare. Just be sure that there are no other flights that work with your schedule.

Does travel guard cover missed flight?

This benefit is available if your flight is delayed or cancelled due to bad weather or a common carrier issue. You will be reimbursed up to the maximum limit shown on the schedule of benefits.

If you’re looking for a comprehensive and well-rounded travel insurance policy, Travel Guard is a great option to consider. Its policies offer strong coverage for baggage loss and delays, plus high medical evaluation coverage limits, making it a good choice for travelers who want peace of mind while on their trip.

Does travel guard insurance cover missed flight

interruptions to your trip can happen for a variety of reasons. If you have to cancel or interrupt your trip for a covered reason, you may be eligible for reimbursement for unused, non-refundable trip payments and deposits, as well as additional transportation expenses to reach your destination or home. You will need to provide documentation to support the reason for the interruption of your trip.

If you have to cancel or interrupt your trip due to an event that was known, foreseeable, or expected, your travel insurance policy will likely not cover you. This includes things like events that are related to epidemics or your fear of traveling.

How much will it cost to reschedule a flight?

In general, if you need to rebook a flight, it will cost the same as the original flight. However, in some circumstances the airline may give you a credit that can be used towards the rebooked flight. If the credit covers the entire cost of the new flight, then great! However, if the credit does not cover the full cost, then you will be responsible for paying the difference.

A comprehensive policy is a type of travel insurance that covers a wide range of eventualities that could occur while you’re travelling. This can include things like delays, cancellations, lost luggage and some emergency medical costs. A comprehensive policy can give you peace of mind when travelling, knowing that you’re covered for a wide range of potential problems.

Can I claim compensation if my flight is rescheduled

Yes, you may be compensated if the airline changes the flight schedule. The airline must have notified you about the change less than 14 days before the flight and the schedule change must be a flight cancellation or a delay of more than 2 hours.

Airlines are not required to compensate passengers for delays, but most do. Mody recommends getting in line to talk to a flight agent and calling the airline as soon as your flight is delayed.

Do I have to pay the difference if I change my flight?

If you need to change your ticket, be aware that the new flight may cost more than the original flight. In this case, you will need to pay the difference in price. Any ticket not changed or canceled prior to departure will have no remaining value.

This plan is a great option for travelers who are looking for comprehensive coverage and protection. The Travel Guard Plus plan provides coverage for carrier financial default, trip cancellation, and other covered reasons. If you purchase within 21 days of your initial trip deposit, this plan also provides a waiver for pre-existing medical conditions. This is a great option for travelers who want comprehensive coverage and protection.

What is flight guard insurance

The AIG Travel Travel Guard Flight Guard plan offers Accidental Death & Dismemberment coverage for you and your family while you are traveling on a commercial airline There are multiple levels of coverage available, ranging from $100,000 to $500,000. This coverage can give you and your family peace of mind while you travel, knowing that you are covered in the event of an accident.

If your trip gets interrupted or delayed, you will be reimbursed up to 150% of the cost of the trip. This includes delays of more than five hours, which will get you up to $800 ($200/day). You will also be covered for medical expenses up to $50,000 ($500 dental) and emergency evacuation up to $500,000.

No, Travel Guard insurance does not cover flight changes.

Based on the information gathered, it can be concluded that Travel Guard insurance does cover flight changes. This is important to know in case of any unforeseen circumstances that may come up and force a change in travel plans.

Scott Johnson

Scott Johnson is passionate about traveling. He loves exploring new cultures and places, and discovering the world around him. He believes that travel can open up new perspectives and opportunities for growth and development. Scott has visited many countries in Europe, Africa, South America, and Asia, and he continues to seek out new destinations for his adventures.

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What Does Travel Insurance Cover?

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Table of Contents

What is covered by travel insurance

Extras you can add to a travel insurance policy, what does travel insurance not cover, how to pick the right policy for your trip, if you want to understand travel insurance coverage.

If something goes wrong during a trip, your savings account could take a serious hit if you don’t have travel insurance. Flight cancellations, lost baggage or an accident can throw a wrench into your carefully made plans and cost a lot to rectify.

On the other hand, knowing that your trip is protected can help put your mind at ease before, during and after a vacation. But exactly what does travel insurance cover? Let’s find out.

Most plans typically cover a range of trip protections, including accidental death and dismemberment, baggage delay or loss, emergency medical coverage and evacuation, trip cancellation, delay or interruption and more. Here's a closer look at each one.

Accidental death and dismemberment

Accidental death and dismemberment insurance provides coverage for death or losing a limb or eyesight as a result of an accident. Note that death from natural causes, illness or by suicide isn’t covered, so it’s not the same thing as a life insurance policy.

Baggage delay

Baggage delay insurance reimburses the cost of essentials, such as clothes, toiletries or a phone charger, that you may need to purchase if your bag is delayed. Your baggage must be delayed over a certain number of hours to receive coverage — typically the range is from six to 24 hours, depending on the policy.

Baggage loss

Insurance for baggage loss reimburses the cost of your suitcase and belongings should a checked bag become lost, stolen or damaged during a covered trip.

Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation

This benefit covers the cost associated with medical evacuation if you have a medical emergency and you can’t be treated at the facility closest to you. It will cover transport costs to another hospital or your home country, if necessary, and also includes transportation of remains.

» Learn more: Travel medical insurance: Emergency coverage while you travel internationally

Missed connection

A missed connection benefit covers extra expenses if a common carrier delay causes you to miss an organized tour or a cruise, for example, and you need to pay extra to catch up to it at the next port of call.

Reinstate frequent traveler awards

If you paid for a trip with airline miles or hotel points and it is subsequently canceled, this benefit will cover any fees required to redeposit your rewards back to your frequent traveler account.

Trip cancellation

Trip cancellation insurance reimburses you for prepaid nonrefundable costs if you must cancel a trip for a covered reason. Reasons that are typically covered include:

Sickness or death of a family member.

Financial insolvency.

Natural disaster.

Airline strike.

Inclement weather.

Military duty.

Stolen passport or visa.

Loss of employment.

Trip delay covers costs associated with transportation, meals or lodging should your common carrier be delayed, as well as reimbursement of any prepaid, nonrefundable expenses. Trip delay coverage takes effect after a specified period of time depending on the policy, but typically ranges from five to 12 hours.

» Learn more: What you need to know about Chase’s trip delay insurance

Trip interruption

Trip interruption insurance reimburses you for unused, nonrefundable costs in the event you must cut the trip short and return home for a covered reason, including a family member’s sickness or death, terrorism, inclement weather or a natural disaster, among others.

Travel insurance plans usually don’t include coverage for every possible thing that can go wrong, but you can add optional extras to your policy for an upcharge. Check to see if your plan has the following types of coverage, and if you think you need it, you can add it in or buy a more inclusive policy.

Cancel For Any Reason

If you change your mind and decide not to go on a trip you’ve booked, you typically can’t get reimbursed for prepaid, nonrefundable expenses — unless you purchase a cancel for any reason policy separately. Depending on the policy, you usually get a portion of your prepaid expenses back (typically 50% to 75%), but you must purchase the policy within 10 to 21 days of initial payment. Note that cancel for any reason isn’t the same as trip cancellation listed above.

Rental car collision damage waiver

If your rental car is damaged or stolen, rental car insurance will protect you from having to pay for the damage or theft. Many credit cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card , offer rental car collision damage insurance, so check whether the cards you hold have this benefit before adding it to a policy.

Pre-existing conditions

If you need coverage for a pre-existing medical condition, you must purchase a policy within the time specified by the insurance provider to be eligible for a pre-existing conditions waiver (usually ten to 21 days). Make sure that the coverage amount you enter is equal to all prepaid, nonrefundable costs for your trip.

» Learn more: The best travel insurance companies right now

Quarantine accommodations

This coverage is often part of trip delay insurance, but some providers include it and some don’t. For example, the Safe Travels Voyager plan offered by Trawick International covers lodging expenses in case you get sick with COVID-19 and have to quarantine abroad before flying home safely.

» Learn more: Travel insurance may not cover COVID-19 — unless you upgrade

Travel insurance offers coverage for many situations, but not all. Some scenarios aren’t covered by a travel policy, including:

A named storm: Most travel plans protect you from hassles stemming from inclement weather. However, a policy needs to be purchased before a tropical storm or weather event is named. If you purchase coverage after a natural disaster has begun, it won’t be covered.

Activities performed under the influence: Drug and alcohol use are a notable exception to most travel policies. If you fall off an ATV because you drank a few alcoholic beverages or took drugs before operating a vehicle, you’re no longer covered.

Extreme sports: Some high-risk sports, such as bungee jumping, scuba diving or rock climbing, aren’t covered by a comprehensive travel insurance plan. However, you can buy a separate policy for the specific adrenaline activities you’re planning to do on your vacation from World Nomads , for example.

Fear of travel because of a pandemic or another reason: This is something that would be covered under a “cancel for any reason” add-on, but a general travel policy won’t cover fear of travel.

Medical tourism: Seeking dental work in Mexico or a hair transplant in Turkey? Keep in mind that your medical expenses for elective procedures aren’t covered by a plan with emergency medical coverage.

Pregnancy: If you want to cancel a trip because you’re pregnant, you can do so only if you purchased the plan before you became pregnant. Otherwise, it’s not a covered reason. Additionally, medical costs incurred while on a trip during pregnancy might or might not be covered (check with your insurance provider).

» Learn more: What to know before you buy travel insurance

The length of trip, your age and the destination all factor into how much a policy will cost. The coverage types and their limits also influence the price tag.

Types of coverage and limits

Take a look at the terms of each policy and determine the type of coverage you need the most. Compare the coverage details and limits with the cost. If you hold a travel credit card , familiarize yourself with its benefits as some of the trip protections might be redundant.

Single trip vs. annual plan

For frequent travelers, an annual plan offers the most bang for your buck — it costs less money versus purchasing insurance for multiple single trips. An annual policy covers long international trips as well as short domestic trips in between, so you can have peace of mind all year long. But everything isn’t always included in a multi-trip plan, the coverage limits are lower and you may not be covered for pre-existing conditions.

Individual vs. family

When shopping for a quote, include everyone traveling in your party and their ages before you submit the trip details. Note that some insurance providers include free coverage for children 21 and younger if a parent is the primary policyholder.

» Learn more: 10 best travel insurance companies

Because coverage varies among the different insurance providers and policies, make sure to read over the policy terms carefully, especially if you’re looking for a specific type or amount of coverage.

If you’re still not sure whether a specific event or activity would be covered, call the insurance company and chat with a customer service representative. It’s better to be aware of what’s covered and what isn’t before you need to (but hopefully don’t have to) file a claim.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

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. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

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.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

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.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

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Travel Insurance for Flight Cancellations: 2024 Guide

with our partner, Faye

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

Taking off on a flight to your vacation destination is an exciting moment. But unforeseen circumstances can cause long delays and flight cancellations — and adventures cut short. That’s where travel insurance comes in. Travel insurance offers the assurance that you’ll get reimbursed for non-refundable travel costs from a travel insurance provider. Frequent or business travelers also benefit from this safety net for flight cancellations.

Flight insurance is usually sold as part of a comprehensive travel plan that includes trip interruption and trip cancellation coverage along with emergency medical insurance. Because most airlines aren’t required to compensate you for flight delays, trip delay travel protection helps you recoup losses for tours and accommodation.

Understanding Travel Insurance Coverage for Real Scenarios

When you buy travel insurance, comprehensive plans typically reimburse you the costs of canceled and delayed flights through travel delay coverage and trip cancellation insurance. Depending on the plan you choose, you can get reimbursed full refunds or prepaid costs once you qualify during the claims process. Reimbursements may include the money you paid for extra accommodations and food.

Whether you buy flight insurance with your airfare from major airlines or through another travel supplier, flight cancellation protection is subject to limited circumstances. These may include:

• Bad weather or natural disasters that cause the airline to cancel flights
• Medical emergencies causing you to cancel flights
• The unexpected death or illness of a family member or travel companion
• Delays caused by missed flight connections

For more flexibility, consider CFAR — cancel for any reason coverage. It’s still subject to exclusions and conditions, such as the requirement to cancel within 48 hours of the departure date. But the reasons for canceling are at your discretion. About 75% of prepaid non-refundable trip expenses get reimbursed.

Will Travel Insurance Cover Airline Cancellation?

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation , if an airline cancels your flight or makes changes that cause significant delays, you’re entitled to a refund if you choose not to reschedule. But the definition of a “significant delay” gets decided on a case-by-case basis, and refunds aren’t guaranteed.

Travel insurance covers the specific emergency reasons outlined in your policy. Under trip delay, interruption or cancellation policies, other expenses are covered. For example, if inclement weather results in a canceled flight with a delay to reschedule, you may need to cancel a non-refundable excursion through a tour operator. Insurance benefits help recoup these financial losses.

Does Travel Insurance Cover Delayed Flights?

If your flight is delayed significantly, an airline may offer to refund your money under certain conditions. Travel insurance features trip cancellation and trip delay benefits to reimburse you for applicable expenses incurred. Costs might include transportation, food and accommodations while you wait for a rescheduled flight if the airline doesn’t come through with hotel and food vouchers.

As a general rule, trip delay benefits apply after a specifically defined length of time. For example, you might need to be delayed for at least five hours to qualify for reimbursement or extra transportation. Daily spending limits typically apply for additional expenses incurred.

Will Travel Insurance Cover Costs if I Need to Switch Flights?

Travel insurance for flight changes is also available. But most policies don’t cover you if you simply change your mind about a flight. Trip interruption and cancellation policies cover a range of unforeseen circumstances. For example, a trip cancellation claim may reimburse the difference in cost between a canceled flight and a more expensive alternative to get you to a destination on time.

Does Travel Insurance Cover If Connecting Flights Get Canceled?

If your connecting flights get canceled, the airline may offer you a refund or put you on another flight (likely the latter). Travel insurance reimburses you for non-refundable trip costs relating to trip interruptions or cancellations. If you miss a connecting flight for reasons listed in your policy, part of your prepaid trip expenses get reimbursed along with any extra expenses you incurred to get pushed forward on your trip or to get home.

Choosing the Right Travel Insurance Plan

The quality of travel insurance plans varies. That makes it important to compare as you shop. When selecting a plan for flight cancellations, choose one with competitive coverage for the following:

• Trip cancellation coverage : This policy can reimburse you for non-refundable, prepaid trip costs for trips canceled for reasons that are covered by your policy, such as the death of a family member or a medical emergency. Reimbursements include airline tickets, hotel rooms and tours. Coverage limits can range from $10,000 for basic plans up to $300,000 for premium plans.
• Trip delay coverage : If your flight gets delayed for reasons that are covered in your policy, such as severe weather or airline maintenance, your plan provides financial relief for expenses, such as alternative transportation, food and accommodations. Basic plans may have a $300 coverage limit and a daily spending limit of $150.
• Trip interruption coverage : You may need to cut your trip short because of an injury or an unexpected event. Trip interruption coverage may reimburse you for non-refundable expenses including prepaid airline tickets and accommodation. Coverage limits can range from $5,000 for basic plans to $300,000 for premium plans.

While it’s possible to buy basic travel insurance with trip cancellation policies only, most are comprehensive. They include emergency medical and baggage loss coverage. Upgrades for CFAR, pre-existing medical conditions and rental car coverage provide further protection.

Use the tool below to find and compare rates for plans with flight insurance to suit your travel requirements.

Making a Claim for Flight Cancellations

To file a claim, most travel insurance companies offer systems via websites, apps and customer support teams available by phone and email. For flight cancellations , claims are usually filed under trip cancellation, interruption or delay coverage. With each claim, you’re required to present supporting documentation highlighting reasons for cancellation. This may include:

• Proof of an emergency or incident, such as a doctor’s certificate or a police report
• Copies of itineraries for all trip components claimed, including flight bookings
• Receipts for expenses incurred because of flight delays, such as meals and accommodations

Insurance companies process claims to approve them for reimbursement. Once complete, most companies send a payment to your selected account ( credit card , bank, etc.).

Common Challenges Travelers Face

You can get confused reading travel insurance policies as you figure out what’s covered and what’s not. A common challenge travelers encounter is misunderstanding a policy’s terms and conditions. As a general rule, travel insurance covers losses from unforeseen circumstances.

With flights and trip cancellations, covered reasons include emergencies, such as unexpected natural disasters, the death of a family member or a serious illness or injury. Otherwise, any flight cancellation refunds fall to the discretion of the airline.

Tips To Minimize Flight Cancellation Risks

Unless you experience an unexpected emergency, it’s possible to minimize the risks of flight cancellations and enjoy smooth journeys. Reduce the likelihood of it happening to you with the tips below.

• Book flights that depart early in the morning. Statistically, they’re the least delayed and least canceled.
• Choose nonstop flights to eliminate the risk of missed or delayed connections.
• Pick airlines with multiple flights to your destination per day for easy rescheduling if necessary.
• Ensure your airline offers a suitable cancellation policy.
• Travel a day or two in advance of events or celebrations that you don’t want to miss
• Monitor the weather at home and at your intended destination to be forewarned of potential cancellations.
• Implement backup transport plans if possible, including driving routes, ferry and train timetables.

Should You Get Travel Insurance For Flight Cancellations?

Travel is much more than a trip; it’s an investment. With so many things that can go wrong, it’s important to protect travel investments with comprehensive insurance for flight cancellations. Along with reimbursement for flights in emergencies, you’ll enjoy peace of mind knowing additional costs, such as hotel rooms and meals, are covered if your trip is delayed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What happens if my flight is canceled.

Your airline will put you on another flight or, in some cases, offer you a refund. Travel insurance protects with reimbursement for flights canceled via predetermined reasons covered by policies, along with additional expenses.

Do I need flight insurance?

We recommend flight insurance as a safety net for unexpected circumstances. These may include the death of a family member or a serious injury that results in canceling flights.

What does flight insurance normally cover?

As part of comprehensive travel insurance plans, flight insurance covers the cost of non-refundable, canceled flights subject to limited reasons. Most providers also offer coverage for flight delays and tours missed due to cancellations.

Does travel insurance cover hotel expenses if my flight is canceled?

Yes. Trip interruption and cancellation coverage provide reimbursement for hotel expenses, meals and alternative transport required due to canceled flights.

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 .

MarketWatch Guides may receive compensation from companies that appear on this page.
The compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear, but it does not influence the recommendations the editorial team provides. Not all companies, products, or offers were reviewed.

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Travel insurance

AIG travel insurance review 2024

Jennifer Simonson

Mandy Sleight

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Heidi Gollub

Updated 10:30 a.m. UTC June 10, 2024

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Top-scoring plan

Average cost, medical limit per person, why it’s the best.

Travel Guard Preferred from AIG allows you to customize your policy with a host of available upgrades, including  “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage , rental vehicle damage coverage and bundles that offer additional benefits for adventure sports, travel inconvenience, quarantine, pets, security and weddings.

There’s also a medical bundle that increases the travel medical benefit to $100,000 and emergency evacuation to $1 million. This is a good option if you’re looking for foreign travel health insurance.

• Bundle upgrades allow you to customize your travel insurance policy.
• Emergency medical and evacuation limits can be doubled with optional upgrade.
• Base travel insurance policy has relatively low medical limits.
• $300 baggage delay benefit requires a 12-hour delay.
• Optional CFAR upgrade only reimburses up to 50% of trip cost.

Why trust our travel insurance experts

Our team of travel insurance experts evaluates hundreds of insurance products and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best product for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.

• 1,855 coverage details evaluated.
• 567 rates reviewed.
• 5 levels of fact-checking.

AIG travel insurance overview

AIG Travel Guard specializes in travel insurance for leisure and business travelers. It has a network of service centers in Asia, Europe and the Americas to provide 24/7 emergency travel assistance. 

AIG travel insurance plans

AIG Travel Guard offers three travel insurance plans, including a last-minute plan for impromptu travelers and an annual plan for those often on the go. 

Here are a few key benefits included with AIG travel insurance plans.

• Trip cancellation: If you need to cancel your trip for a reason listed in your policy, trip cancellation insurance reimburses you for any prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses, such as flights, hotels and tours.
• Trip delay: Trip delay insurance covers you for extra costs if your travels hit a snag like a canceled connecting flight. This coverage can reimburse you for extra expenses you weren’t anticipating, like a meal and an overnight hotel stay as you wait for a new flight. It can also reimburse you for prepaid expenses for plans you’ll miss by arriving late.
• Travel interruption: If there’s an emergency back home and you need to cut your trip short, this coverage can pay for a last-minute flight back. It can also reimburse you for lost prepaid, nonrefundable expenses for the plans you’ll miss by leaving early.
• Travel medical insurance: If you become sick or injured on your trip, travel medical insurance can pay for your emergency medical expenses. This can include doctor and hospital bills, labwork, X-rays and medication.
• Emergency medical evacuation: If your injury or illness calls for medevac support, emergency medical evacuation insurance will cover the cost of transporting you to the nearest adequate medical facility. 
• Pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver: If you buy your travel insurance within 15 days of your first trip payment, your plan will not exclude coverage of pre-existing medical conditions. 
• Baggage insurance: This coverage will reimburse you for the depreciated value of your bags and belongings if they are lost, stolen or damaged, up to the limits in your policy. If your bags are delayed for a certain length of time, you will have coverage to buy a few necessities while you wait for your bags to arrive. 
• Travel assistance services: An emergency global assistance team is available around the clock if you need medical or travel help.

AIG Travel Guard Essential plan

The Essential plan is AIG Travel Guard’s most budget-friendly single-trip travel insurance plan. 

If your trip is canceled or interrupted because of the illness, injury or death of you, a traveling companion, a family member or business partner, this plan will reimburse 100% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses, up to $100,000 per person. 

It also includes up to $15,000 in travel medical insurance and $150,000 in emergency medical evacuation coverage, up to $750 in baggage coverage and $200 in baggage delay and the option to purchase car rental insurance. 

AIG Travel Guard Preferred plan

The Preferred Plan is AIG Travel Guard’s most popular single-trip travel insurance plan. 

In addition to covering everything the Essential plan covers, this plan increases the baggage coverage to $1,000, the baggage delay to $300, the travel medical expense coverage to $50,000 and the emergency evacuation coverage to $500,000. 

This plan also includes up to $2,500 per person in Trip Saver coverage designed to reimburse you for meals, hotels and additional transportation if you need to begin your trip sooner than initially scheduled due to an unforeseen circumstance such as inclement weather or common carrier changes. 

Unlike the Essential plan, the Preferred plan allows travelers to purchase “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage . You can also customize the Preferred plan with enhancements for pets, inconveniences, adventure sports, baggage, wedding guest coverage and a security bundle covering security evacuation and trip cancellation or interruption for political unrest.

AIG Travel Guard Deluxe Plan

The AIG Travel Guard Deluxe Plan offers the most coverage and baggage benefits. Like the Preferred Plan, it covers 100% for trip cancellation and 150% for trip interruption. The Deluxe Plan increases coverage with up to $100,000 for medical expenses, $1,000,000 for emergency evacuation, $100,000 in coverage for a flight accident, $2,500 in lost baggage coverage and $500 in baggage delay. 

Instead of being an optional add-on as it is in the Preferred Plan, Security evacuation is automatically included in the Deluxe plan. This plan also includes up to $100,000 for accidental death or dismemberment when traveling on a flight.

AIG Travel Guard Pack N’ Go Plan Essential Plan

Designed for last-minute travelers, the AIG Travel Guard Pack N’ Go Plan provides immediate coverage for unplanned trips. The plan does not include trip cancellation coverage but does include trip interruption and delay for up to $1,000. It also includes $1,000 in baggage coverage, $25,000 in travel medical expenses and up to $500,000 in emergency evacuation. 

AIG Travel Guard Annual Travel Plan

The Travel Guard Annual Plan is annual travel insurance coverage for multiple trips throughout the year. The plan includes trip interruption, trip delay, missed connection and medical coverage on all trips taken during a 12-month period of time, instead of covering each trip individually. The travel medical expense pays for up to $50,000 in medical expenses while the emergency evacuation covers up to $500,000 in evacuation expenses. 

What isn’t covered by AIG travel insurance

Like every travel insurance plan, AIG travel insurance has exclusions. It is always a good idea to check the fine print before purchasing a plan. Some exclusions to AIG Travel Guard plans include:

• Airline tickets purchased using frequent flyer airline miles or points are not covered. 
• Medical treatments from injuries sustained from alcohol or substance abuse.
• Loss or damage caused by detention, confiscation or destruction by customs.
• Injury sustained by participating in professional athletic events, motor sport or motor racing.
• Baggage loss or damage of eyeglasses or contact lenses. 
• War or an act of war.
• Participating in a riot or civil disorder.

AIG travel insurance rates

The average cost of travel insurance is 5% to 6% of your total trip cost. This can vary based on the age of the traveler, destination, cost of trip, type of plan and any add-on coverage selected. Here are examples of prices for the AIG Travel Guard Deluxe plan.

Compare the best travel insurance companies of 2024

Via Compare Coverage’s website

Methodology

Our insurance experts reviewed 1,855 coverage details and 567 rates to determine the best travel insurance of 2024 . For companies with more than one travel insurance plan, we shared information about the highest-scoring plan.

Insurers could score up to 100 points based on the following factors:

• Cost: 40 points. We scored the average cost of each travel insurance policy for a variety of trips and traveler profiles.
• Medical expenses: 10 points. We scored travel medical insurance by the coverage amount available. Travel insurance policies with emergency medical expense benefits of $250,000 or more per person were given the highest score of 10 points.
• Medical evacuation: 10 points. We scored each plan’s emergency medical evacuation coverage by coverage amount. Travel insurance policies with medical evacuation expense benefits of $500,000 or more per person were given the highest score of 10 points.
• Pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver: 10 points. We gave full points to travel insurance policies that cover pre-existing medical conditions if certain conditions are met.
• Missed connection: 10 points. Travel insurance plans with missed connection benefits of $1,000 per person or more received full points.
• “Cancel for any reason” upgrade: 5 points. We gave points to travel insurance plans with optional “cancel for any reason” coverage that reimburses up to 75%.
• Travel delay required waiting time: 5 points. We gave 5 points to travel insurance policies with travel delay benefits that kick in after a delay of 6 hours or less.
• Cancel for work reasons: 5 points. If a travel insurance plan allows you to cancel your trip for work reasons, such as your boss requiring you to stay and work, we gave it 5 points.
• Hurricane and severe weather: 5 points. Travel insurance plans that have a required waiting period for hurricane and weather coverage of 12 hours or less received 5 points.

Some travel insurance companies may offer plans with additional benefits or lower prices than the plans that scored the highest, so make sure to compare travel insurance quotes to see your full range of options.

AIG travel insurance review FAQs

AIG Travel Guard considers COVID-19 a foreseen event so certain coronavirus-related losses may not be covered. If you contract COVID-19 prior to your departure, however, you could be covered for trip cancellation. Likewise, if you contract COVID-19 while traveling and get a confirmed diagnosis from a doctor, you could be covered for medical expenses, trip interruption, trip delay and emergency medical evacuation benefits. 

Yes, the AIG Travel Guard Preferred and Deluxe travel insurance plans offer the option to purchase “ cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage . The extra coverage allows you to cancel your trip for any reason not otherwise covered by the plan and be reimbursed up to 50% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses. For this upgrade, you need to purchase CFAR coverage within 15 days of your initial trip deposit and cancel your trip at least 48 hours prior to scheduled departure.

Yes, several AIG Travel Gaurd’s travel insurance plans offer a pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver. The waiver allows for the coverage of some medical issues despite pre-existing conditions.

To qualify for AIG’s pre-existing medical conditions exclusion waiver, you need to buy travel insurance the same day you make your first trip deposit (or shortly thereafter), insure the full value of all prepaid, nonrefundable trip payments and deposits and be medically able to travel at the time you purchase the travel insurance.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Jennifer Simonson covers everything from business to the wine industry to international travel. Outdoor adventure, water parks and all things Texas are by far her favorite beats. Her work has appeared in Forbes, Travel + Leisure, Texas Monthly, Smithsonian Magazine, Fodor's, Lonely Planet, Slate and more. You can follow her on Instagram at @storiestoldwell.

Mandy is an insurance writer who has been creating online content since 2018. Before becoming a full-time freelance writer, Mandy spent 15 years working as an insurance agent. Her work has been published in Bankrate, MoneyGeek, The Insurance Bulletin, U.S. News and more.

Heidi Gollub is the USA TODAY Blueprint managing editor of insurance. She was previously lead editor of insurance at Forbes Advisor and led the insurance team at U.S. News & World Report as assistant managing editor of 360 Reviews. Heidi has an MBA from Emporia State University and is a licensed property and casualty insurance expert.

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