travel guard file a claim

Filing a Claim With Travel Guard Insurance Provider

When you need to file a claim with Travel Guard, call 1-800-826-1300 between the hours of 7a.m. and 7 p.m. CST to request a claim form. There are eight different types of claims that can be filed through Travel Guard, including:

• Trip Cancellation
• Trip Interruption
• Travel Delay
• Medical Expenses
• Baggage Loss
• Baggage Delay
• Change of Mind
• Collision Damage Waiver

Each of these claims require different documentation for the claim to be properly processed. Details about proper claim documentation can be found on the claims page here http://www.travelguard.com/aboutus/claims/claimsTG/ .

About a Travel Guard Insurance Travel Plan

Travel Guard is a travel insurance company that collaborates with more than 10,000 travel companies to provide travel insurance for customers in more than 160 countries. Everything from medical expenses to lost baggage coverage is available from Travel Guard. Travel Guard operates as a Chartis Insurance company.

Coverage Details

Coverage details for travel insurance from Travel Guard may differ from one state to the next. In order to learn more and compare plans, you must enter your state of residence. Some of the insurance policies available through Travel Guard include:

• Single Trip
• International
• Golf Travel
• Travel Medical
• Family Travel
• Business Travel

Where to Get a Quote: Travel Guard Insurance Contact Info & Login

If you’d like to get a quote for travel insurance, you can visit http://buy.travelguard.com/TGI2/proc/stateselector.aspx?br=tgdirect&pcode=MYTG&intcmp=clc-001-WYWI-Jan12-Cruise1-Btm&arc=000329 and enter your state of residence (in the United States). Once you enter your state, you’ll be asked to fill in some information about your trip, including your destination, departure date, trip deposit date and final payment date. You will also be asked the number of travelers and their dates of birth.

For more information on a current policy, you can use one of the contact numbers or email address below. You can also visit the customer service page to log in to your account, modify your insurance details and more at http://www.travelguard.com/customerservice/?intcmp=clc-001-Nav-5-CustomerService .

By phone: 1-800-826-1300

By phone (emergency contact): 1-800-826-4919

By email: Use the contact form here http://www.travelguard.com/aboutus/contactus/ to contact the customer service department.

Travel Guard 3300 Business Park Drive Stevens Point, WI 54482

Official website: http://www.travelguard.com/

To check on your claim status , go to http://buy.travelguard.com/tgi2/support/claims.aspx?br=tgdirect and enter your Claim Number and Claimant’s Last Name and click the View Claim Status button.

My wife and I experienced a 24 hour trip delay on our trip to Amsterdam on April 25, 2013. A copy of our trip invoice from Viking River Cruises and a copy from United Airlines explaining their flight delay was mailed to your office on June 24, 2013 and received in your office and signed for on June 24, 2013. When I went to your web site to check on my claim it said the records cited above had not been received. I would like to have an explanation about the situation, and be told when the claim will be processed and paid. David L. Sockler

Website is terrible. Cannot find claim form and any information irrelevant to my claim.

You wanted me to submit claim twice??? Policy # 1206626153. I would never have purchased this knowing the claim submission would be impossible. Do you have record of this?

My wife was sick and went to the local hospitals Urgent Care/Emergency Room the day before our trip to Boston. The doctor told her she had a bad virus and to stay in bed and that it would take 7-10 days to run its course. I have the Doctors name and the nurse who was with him. I also have the pertinent address, phone numbers, etc. What I don’t have is all the medical records for her for the last 6 months and the long form filled from the doctor….We are old and not very computer savy..Why cant you just call the hospital and talk with them and they can confirm everything????

this whole thing apparently is a fraud. Send you to sites with no help from expedia/or insurance.

Another scam, make it as difficult as possible until you give up

The comments section for “Travel Guard Insurance Claim” tells all when you see that ALL comments are overwhelmingly NEGATIVE. And my experience with Travel Guard is no different. After so much time and effort is fruitlessly spent in attempting to receive a refund on your plane fare, you finally realize that you are wasting your time and, in agreement with some of the negative comments I read, that this is indeed just another scam. So inform everyone you know of this SCAM so they don’t fall victim to it like obviously so many others already have (Parties involved in my case: 1) American Airlines, 2) Travelocity, 3) Travel Guard .

I need to cancel travel plans for my and my sister

need to file a claim , but after reading these comments , seem like I’m stuck or scammed.. why would expedia allow them as a second insurance on the page ..

Terrible Going to mail in my claim can’t do it online

I have read all these negative remarks by clients that had purchased your travel guard INS. 7 I surely hope that I am not having the same experience as all the peoples claims that I have read, also the filing claim on your web site is terrible

I made this flight then found out my mom was terminally ill changed my flight to Minnesota and cancelled my flight to Arlanta

OK I will let the New York attorney general know what is going on here and see what they say and do about your company. there is no form here to fill out. Only a lot of very angry customers getting ripped off. you kept me on the phone line for a very long time with no one to talk too. you are charging everyone insurance and just keeping the money. I paid $92.for nothing. it seems everyone paid for nothing here. Not even one person said thank you for your good service. everyone is very mad.

Cannot get on phone with an agent or customer service representative. Cannot get a claim form to fill out on line or one to print and fill out. What kind of service do you offer?

This is Bullshit, cannot make out how to file a claim. will continue to call and press until I get what I paid for, will advise everyone I know to avoid this policy offer, avoid any travel site that offers travelguard…

You make it almost impossible to file a claim or get any help. This was a total waste of time and money.

This is a scam i will contact the AG i will never use travel guard or expedia again ever take myairline ticket and shove it

I’ve had an awful experience with this company. The website is worthless. When I attempted to find out the progress of my claim I was advised that there was no such claim. It appears that like almost all the customer comments I’ve read I am a victim of a scam as well. Consequently, I will be filing a complaint with the California Attorney General’s office. I booked airline tickets and purchased the insurance on Expedia. How could it be possible that customers could have this level of dissatisfaction with the service and Expedia not be aware of it?

I filed a claim. Haven’t heard anything back regarding my claim. Been over a month. This is a scam.

Very poor service. Cannot contact a rep. by phone and cannot find the right forms on line to print to file a medical claim. Spent two hours and still no results. Still holding on the phone…terrible service.

ditto as above; cannot contact any company rep by phone and cannot find correct forms online, under section 4 of website. this is a worldwide pandemic, COVID-19 and CDC indicated level #3 avoid non-essential travel! Your company is a total scam

CANCELLED my cruise due coronavirus and medical condition. all I want is the premium refunded $144 dollars. I never used the insurance and we are not scheduled to depart until Oct. 2,2020 six months from now. I have discussed this with TRAVELOCITY AND TRAAVEL GUARD AND EACH ONE TELLS ME TO CALL THE OTHER ONE. no one will solve the issue.

I will never ever buy insurance on anything after dealing with this company . Disgusting

why u have to go trough. so much to file a claim. I’ll never purches ins. again with you!!through Frontier air line.

This is a total scam. Tried to make a claim and the website kept directing me to add mutliple chrome extensions. Makes no sense. I will NEVER buy travel insurance again!!!

I can’t believe you people stay in business!

Indeed horrible company if anyone need insurance please bypass this company it will break your heart please pass this information to all friends and family. I am very disappointed but if you do decide to venture into this abyss note that resolve is the art of the day.

Our cruise that we boarded on Feb 2020 was interrupted due to Covid. Filed a claim. Their website is terrible. I have called several times and I am told that they are sooo swamped that it’s just taking longer. Months have gone by. Who can I contact to report this- they took my money and have failed to deliver.

Your insurance is a scam I have reying to get my money back for months They denied my claim for the wrong reason Keep telling me they will reopen my claim they will call nothing Will not let you talk to claims department I will file a claim with State Board Of Insurance against your company

This insurance is truly the most frustrating and fraudulent I have ever had to deal with. I placed a deposit on our vacation through AMI Locals Reservations, Anna Maria,FL in the amount of $1,976.24 on July 20, 2019. I then purchased travel insurance protection from Travel Guard in the amount of $212.00 on October 12, 2019 for our vacation May 30,2020 June 6,, 2020. At the end of April 2020, mid-pandemic, I suffered a ruptured appendix, had emergency surgery and a hospital stay of 6 days due to complications including severe exacerbation to my existing, chronic lung disease. I was advised no rravel from April 28, 2020 to at least June 9, 2020,not only because of my recovery from surgery and the compromise to my lung disease,, and my age of 72,all presented a very high risk for contracting COVID.. On July 2, 2020 I sent AIG Claims all pertinent information along with my Dr.,s confirmation, I also e-mailed all materials on July 23, 2020. I received a follow-up e-mail from them on July 23, 2020 stating an analyst will review my document ion and contact me with any further required information. I have never received any additional contact from them. Their phone is exasperating with afloat of jumbo jumbo. I am absolutely furious at this stage and, too, will NEVER use their services again. COVID. I had to cancel our travel and when well enough,

This insurance is a scam I have been denied Trying to appeal no knows what they are doing Claims department must have been given a blanket reponse of hang up on your customer, transferred to a wrong department etc I have been working on this since Feb They lost my papers?? Filed three times than suddendly denied Im filing a complaint with State Board of Insurance

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How Do Travel Insurance Claims Work?

Lee is a freelance travel writer and podcast host based in Nashville, Tennessee. He loves to travel with his wife and two children using miles and points. Lee has held the Southwest Companion Pass since 2007 and enjoys being spoiled thanks to his Kimpton Inner Circle status.

June is a freelance writer and the author of “The Joy of Syntax" and “The Best Punctuation Book, Period.” A former staff writer, reporter and editor for the community news division of the Los Angeles Times, she also writes the weekly syndicated “A Word, Please” column that runs in newspapers in five states.

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Table of Contents

How travel insurance claims work

How to submit your travel insurance claim and get reimbursed, time limits for filing a claim, how long do claim submissions take, how to choose a travel insurance plan, if you need to file a claim from your travel insurer ....

Whether your flight has been canceled, your luggage is lost or you get sick or injured during your trip, travel insurance can protect you. But to get your benefits, you need to submit one or more travelers insurance claims, depending on your situation.

Here's how travel insurance claims work and what to watch out for when submitting your claim.

Travel insurance claims are the system through which a traveler submits documentation to their insurance provider for reimbursement of a covered expense. This reimbursement is not guaranteed; instead, it hinges on the approval of the claim from the insurance underwriter.

In general, the provider will need to verify the situation before remitting any reimbursements to travelers, and the level of coverage varies significantly. Insurance providers typically have very explicit, extensive requirements in order for claims to be confirmed and refunded.

Travel insurance 101 means knowing how travel insurance claims work. Hopefully, you’ll never need to file a claim, but it pays to know the following facts if the worst should happen.

» Learn more: What to know before buying travel insurance

You must qualify for a covered reason

Insurance companies are very explicit about the situations they will cover, and coverage details vary by company and the type of policy that you've purchased.

In general, the more expensive your policy, the more benefits the policy will offer. While some policies cover only medical emergencies, others cover trip cancellation and interruption , lost or stolen bags, and other losses.

Even though policies can be dense or boring to read, be sure you look at the details of yours so you know what types of situations you're covered for .

The details of your claim matter

The details about your reason for canceling are important, and the specifics will determine your eligibility. For example, you may not be feeling well, but are you sick enough that a doctor would suggest that you cancel your trip? There's a big difference between having a small cough and having pneumonia.

You may have to go through extra steps, like seeing a doctor, to prove your eligibility.

» Learn more: The best travel insurance companies

Reservations must be nonrefundable to qualify for cancellation benefits

When you’re traveling on miles and points, you can receive medical, trip delay and lost luggage benefits from a travel insurance policy you purchase. But if you want reimbursement for a canceled flight, travel insurance only covers nonrefundable expenses.

This prevents travelers from trying to "double-dip" and get a refund from both the airline and the travel insurance company.

Keep cancellation policies in mind before purchasing travel insurance. If you’re flying Southwest Airlines, which offers easy changes and refunds, and if your hotel has a 24-hour cancellation policy and you don’t have many activities booked in advance, you may not need travel insurance. The more flexible your plans, the less need you will have for travel insurance.

Claims should be submitted as soon as possible

Being proactive and timely with your claim ensures you won’t miss any deadlines that the travel insurance company may have. You don't want to go through the entire claims process only to find out that you missed the deadline by a few days. Instead, start your claim as soon as you can.

Organization is your friend

The travel insurance company will require documentation to support your claim, so you'll want to be organized as you collect the necessary records.

To stay organized with your documents, set up a folder in your email account for relevant messages, keep all paper receipts in an envelope and write down details of every conversation.

Many travelers digitize everything to make it easier to submit documents via email or an online portal. Your documentation should show that you have a valid claim that meets the insurance company requirements.

Time limits for filing a travelers insurance claim vary from company to company, so it is wise to refer to your specific policy to ensure you have a clear idea of the timeframe. Overall, most companies require claim submissions within 3 months of the incident.

For instance, according to insurance provider Seven Corners , "You must file your claim within 90 days of the incident, also known as the timely filing limit."

After you've submitted your claim — and assuming you have provided all of the required documentation and other elements — it can take up to two weeks for your reimbursement to be remitted.

Generally speaking, you should expect communication regarding your claim within that same timeframe. This could be to alert you of your claim's approval or to ask for additional evidence.

The more complex your travel insurance claim, the longer your approval and reimbursement process may take.

If your claim is approved, expect to receive a check or direct deposit of the amount owed.

Shop around if you’re looking to purchase a travel insurance plan. There are many online providers of travel insurance and the coverage amounts, limits, exclusions and other offerings can vary widely from provider to provider, not to mention policy to policy — even within the same company.

A comparison tool, like SquareMouth , can help you filter results based on what is important to you. You can filter your search to find policies that cover trip cancellation, trip interruption, baggage, medical treatment or other needs. You can then compare the cost of one policy against others based on your preferences and budget.

Travel insurance offers valuable protection in case something goes wrong with your travel plans. Your policy benefits will vary based on the level of coverage purchased and which company is offering the protection. When evaluating travel insurance providers, learn about their claims process should the worst-case scenario come true.

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: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit 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.

Advertiser Disclosure

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

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

Christine Krzyszton

Senior Finance Contributor

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Table of Contents

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Core Coverages

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

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

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

Optional Coverages for an Additional Fee

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

To Other Travel Insurance Companies

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

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

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

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

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

To Credit Card Travel Insurance

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Travelinsurance.com

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

Squaremouth

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

InsureMyTrip

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is aig travel guard a good travel insurance company.

AIG Travel Guard is a highly-rated established travel insurance company. It is rated A by the prominent insurance financial rating company A.M. Best and has been in business for over 25 years.

It was also named the best travel insurance company of 2020 by Forbes.

Does AIG Travel Guard cover trip cancellation?

Yes, AIG Travel Guard will cover trip cancellations but only for covered reasons listed in the policy. Examples of situations that may be covered include becoming ill and having to cancel your trip, being called for jury duty or other covered legal obligation, or your home becomes uninhabitable.

Does AIG Travel Guard cover flight cancellations due to COVID?

AIG Travel Guard, like other travel insurance companies, does not cover canceling a flight due to the fear of getting ill. However, if you become ill from COVID-19 and have to cancel your trip, you may have coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, or emergency medical if should become ill during your trip.

How do I make a claim with AIG Travel Guard?

You can file a claim with AIG Travel Guard by calling 866-478-8222 Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CST. You can also initiate a claim online at travelguard.com using your policy number and last name.

Once you have submitted a claim, you can check the status of your claim at claims.travelguard.com/status , using your claim number and last name.

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How to File a Travel Insurance Claim Online

Tips for filing your travel insurance claim

Even with an easy-to-follow online solution, filing any insurance claim is hardly an everyday experience. If you need additional assistance while submitting your claim, don’t hesitate to reach out to Allianz Global Assistance’s team of travel insurance experts at 1-866-907-3045.

We even took some time to chat with our team members to learn about some of the common errors travelers make when filing claims so that we could pass them onto you. These mistakes include failing to check your travel insurance plan’s benefit limits. You’ll want to eyeball your plan’s benefit limits for prepaid, nonrefundable expenses as well as add up the value of your packing list. It might impact which travel insurance plan you pick — or whether you wear that nice dress on the plane or pack it in checked baggage. Another area that’s sometimes overlooked is submitting all required documents for a claim. As noted above, we’ve prepared lists of all the critical items for each type of claim. ( See other common travel insurance claim errors here .) 3

Don’t forget, once you submit your claim, you’re going to want to check its status. There are a few ways to do so, including checking online — or even easier — using our Allyz ®  TravelSmart app .

When travel plans go south, you just want to be able to pick up the pieces, quickly and easily. After all, that’s why you purchased a travel insurance plan. At Allianz Global Assistance, we’ve designed our claims process to be “smooth sailing” – even if your getaway wasn’t.

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Zurich to Buy AIG’s Travel Insurance Business for $600 Million

Zurich early Wednesday said it is purchasing the global personal travel insurance business of American International Group (AIG) for $600 million.

The deal, according to Zurich, may include an additional payment if specific targets are met after the sale, which is expected to close by the end of 2024. .

Zurich called travel insurance a “priority” and said AIG’s Travel Guard business will expand its U.S. footprint as a part of Zurich’s travel insurance provider, Cover-More Group, making it a leader in the line.

“This transaction is a great strategic fit, which enhances Zurich’s existing capabilities and makes us a leading travel insurance provider across all regions,” said Cara Morton, CEO of Zurich Global Ventures. “The acquisition expands our retail customer base and aligns with our ambition to continuously enhance our offerings, while providing world-class protection during every step of our customers’ travels.”

Cover-More’s capabilities will be enhanced by AIG’s global IT platform. The deal also includes AIG’s global service centers. AIG said the transaction excludes travel coverages offered through AIG’s A&H business.

AIG CEO Peter Zaffino said the sale is “another important strategic step in positioning AIG for the future.” He said AIG will work closely with Zurich “to ensure a seamless transition for employees, customers and our global distribution partners.”

Zurich said the bolt-on should result in annual gross written premiums of about $2 billion for the new Cover-More Group.

Bank of America analysts said Zurich looks to have made a “sensible acquisition” that could increase earnings per share 1-2% after integration.

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions AIG

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Written By Chad Hemenway

Chad is National News Editor at Insurance Journal. He has been covering the insurance industry since 2007, reporting on trends and coverage in most lines of insurance as well as natural catastrophes, modeling, regulation, legislation, and litigation. Chad can be reached at [email protected]

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• World Nomads Travel Insurance Review

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World Nomads Travel Insurance Review 2024

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

If you're looking for travel insurance that allows you to confidently participate in a wide range of sports and adventure activities around the world, then World Nomads Travel Insurance might be right for you. The company's policies cover travel to almost anywhere on the globe and are available to residents of nearly every country. 

World Nomads Travel Insurance Summary

Among the best international travel insurance companies , World Nomads is particularly good at insuring athletes, covering well over 300 sports, including skydiving, bungee jumping, and golf. World Nomads is also a great last-minute purchase, allowing you to purchase coverage even after your trip has started. However, if you purchase a plan after departure, you will have to wait 72 hours before your plan kicks in.

That said, World Nomads lacks crucial coverage options, such as cancel for any reason coverage and coverage for pre-existing conditions. It also doesn't insure travelers older than 70.

Additionally, the service has received middling reviews from customers, averaging 3.4 stars out of five across 2,510 reviews. Customers often complained about their lengthy claims processes and poor customer service.

Some also took issue with the "Nomads" branding, as some travelers with multiple destinations and long-term trips found their trip wasn't covered by Nomads' specific policies. It's worth noting that World Nomads was very responsive to positive and negative reviews on Trustpilot.

World Nomads has two basic policies: Standard and Explorer. Each covers essentially the same things, but Explorer has higher amounts than World Nomads is willing to pay out for claims. The company's policies cover more than 150 specific activities. These range from bungee jumping and rock climbing to hang gliding and hot-air ballooning. You can see the full list on the company's website.

Additional Coverage Options (Riders)

One of the most common upgraded features of a travel insurance policy is cancel for any reason (CFAR) , where you really can cancel for reason beyond what's in a standard policy. This is not available on every policy, but it is often a feature that travelers are looking for while shopping for travel insurance before their trip. At this time, World Nomads doesn't offer CFAR coverage.

At the time of this review, World Nomads also offers sports equipment coverage. In February of 2022, it expanded coverage to include more than 150 sports and activities including Pickleball and FootGolf. It currently covers over 300 sports. So, as you can imagine, plans with sports coverage will cover virtually any sport you might play.

You can obtain a quote from World Nomads on its website by providing details about you and your trip. Be prepared to provide the following information:

• Your destination(s)
• Duration of trip
• Your country of residence
• State of residence (if you're from the US)
• Number of travelers
• Traveler(s) age

Notably, World Nomads does not ask you for the price of the trip, which many travel insurance companies factor into the trip of your policy. As such, World Nomads may be a good option if you're going on a particularly expensive trip. 

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

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

• World Nomads Standard: $76.58
• World Nomads Explorer: $123.34

Premiums for World Nomads's plans are well below the average cost of travel insurance .

World Nomads provides the following quotes for a 30-year-old traveler from California heading to Japan for two weeks on a $4,000 trip:

• World Nomads Standard: $85.83
• World Nomads Explorer: $155.06

Once again, premiums for World Nomads plans are between 2.2% and 3.8%, below the average cost for travel insurance.

A couple of 65-years of age looking to escape New York for Mexico for two weeks with a trip cost of $6,000 would have the following World Nomads quotes:

• World Nomads Standard: $152.96
• World Nomads Explorer: $276.34

Premiums for World Nomads plans are between 2.6% and 4.6%, once again below the average cost for travel insurance. This is especially impressive as travel insurance is often more expensive for older travelers.

How to File A Claim with World Nomad Travel Insurance

You can start an insurance claim by filing it on the company's website. 

You can call toll-free in the US and Canada if you need to reach the company in an emergency at: (877) 289-0968.

Callers from outside the US and Canada can reach the company at: (954)-334-8143.

The email address is: [email protected]

You'll need to have the following ready to file a claim:

• Your policy number
• A contact number
• The nature of your problem
• Your location
• Prescribed medication (if any)

Keep any documents related to the claim you're filing, including receipts, notices, and invoices.

World Nomads is particularly good at insuring traveling athletes, but let's see how it stacks up against the best travel insurance companies .

World Nomads Travel Insurance vs. Allianz Travel Insurance

Allianz Travel Insurance is a strong competitor against World Nomads, especially for travelers looking for a more business-oriented option. The company has been in business for more than 120 years and offers a wide range of insurance, not just travel-related, around the world. A key difference between World Nomads and Allianz Travel Insurance is that Allianz Travel Insurance offers travel insurance that can cover multiple trips in the same year. You can take an unlimited number of trips within the same calendar year, but you do have to double-check that all of your destinations are covered by the policy you select. 

Another difference is that Allianz Travel Insurance offers pre-existing condition waivers for qualifying customers. World Nomads doesn't have the same coverage, requiring that the pre-existing condition is fully stable in order for limited coverage with respect to trip cancellations or having to end a trip early. 

Read our Allianz travel insurance review here.

World Nomads Travel Insurance vs. AIG Travel Guard

Travel Guard , a product backed by AIG Travel, is another potential alternative to World Nomads. AIG is a prominent player in the insurance industry, and the Travel Guard product represents true global coverage. 

Unlike World Nomads, Travel Guard has coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, but there are conditions. Travelers must purchase their policy within 15 days of the initial trip payment to qualify for a pre-existing condition waiver. 

Both travel insurance companies use a tiered approach, but Travel Guard has higher dollar amounts across the board. For example, trip cancellation for Travel Guard covers 100% of the trip cost, while with World Nomads the amount will depends on the tier of the coverage you purchase. Trip Interruption is also a fully covered event with Travel Guard's. Depending on the plan selected, it will either cover 100% or 150% of the trip cost. 

If you're concerned about COVID-19 coverage with trip insurance, there's more coverage with World Nomads than Travel Guard. With Travel Guard, coverage for having to stay in a country past your original booking dates is an add-on, not a standard part of the policy. 

Read our AIG Travel Insurance review here.

Compare World Nomad vs. Credit Card Travel Insurance

If you already have a major credit card in your wallet, you most likely have some travel insurance benefits that come with it. These benefits do vary from card to card. Be sure to check your card's specific policies.

Not all credit cards will feature travel insurance protection. The ones that do may have specific limitations. For example, many credit cards with travel protection require that your airfare is paid for with the card in question for protections to take effect. 

Reimbursement isn't guaranteed. The credit cards do require that you file your claim and wait for a decision. World Nomads makes it easy to file a claim online and submit receipts and documentation. The response is fairly quick based on reviews from travelers who have actually had to file claims. 

The more premium the credit card, the more likely expanded travel protections are part of its features. If you don't already have a premium credit card, it's better to get travel insurance. This is also the case if you have multiple trips planned. Some credit cards limit not just the total dollar amount, but the number of claims within a 12-month period.

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

Yes, you can extend your World Nomads plan while traveling, but you cannot upgrade a standard plan to the Explorer plan. 

World Nomads covers COVID-19 like any other illness under its emergency medical coverage.

You can file a claim on World Nomads's website, over the phone, or by mail. Make sure to provide as much documentation as possible to ease the claims process. 

World Nomads currently covers 326 sports and adventure activities, from ziplining to zorbing.

Yes, you can purchase World Nomads insurance for a trip that has already started. However, a policy purchased during your trip will have a 72-hour waiting period before insurance starts.

How We Reviewed World Nomads Travel Insurance

To prepare this review on World Nomads, we started by detailing the company's travel insurance offerings. Then we looked at the best travel insurance plans and compared them to World Nomads. We looked at things like typical policy costs, coverage options, available add-ons, what's covered, and claim limits.

You can read more about how Business Insider rates insurance products here.

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

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

**Enrollment required.

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How to File a Travel Insurance Claim

W hen it comes to travel, there are generally two types of people: people who cannot travel as it is too expensive and those who budget $4,000 per year for vacations, according to Forbes. Travel is costly, so people often purchase travel insurance to safeguard their financial investment from unforeseen events like illnesses, luggage delays, personal emergencies, and more.

When policyholders pay honest money for an insurance policy to offer protection, they want to be able to reap the benefits of the travel insurance claim. If your travel insurance company has denied payment, our tips on how to properly file a travel insurance claim may be helpful.

Why Buy Travelers Insurance?

Travel is generally less stressful with vacation insurance — it is packaged as a wise investment that can protect you against financial losses due to unexpected events. For instance, the U.S. State Department highly recommends international travel trip insurance as Medicare and Medicaid often do not cover overseas medical costs.

The travel insurance premium is relatively small compared to the non-refundable trip costs you could lose in a bad situation. It is particularly worth it if your trip involves non-refundable costs, international travel, or travel to a remote area with limited healthcare facilities or regions prone to natural disasters.

Some of the primary reasons people buy trip insurance are to help offset:

• Emergency medical services and treatment
• Cancellations due to a sudden illness or serious health condition
• Emergency evacuation
• Loss of a friend or family member
• Compromised destinations
• Delayed or lost luggage
• Trip interruption or cancellation

What Is Not Covered By Travel Insurance?

The best insurance policies cover basic and common travel risks and bundle different coverage types related to trip cancellation, medical issues, luggage or trip delays, and more. Travel insurance is not meant to cover all foreseeable events, and every policy will address exclusions differently. Examples of potential limitations are:

• Tropical storms, hurricanes, and other dangerous weather conditions
• Certain medical issues
• Acts of war
• High-risk behavior involving drugs, unlawful acts, or riots
• Government-imposed restrictions

Travel insurance claims submitted without proper documentation or cancellation for reasons not covered by your travel policy are surefire ways to prevent coverage and reimbursement. This is why it is helpful to understand travel insurance coverage properly and take appropriate actions before assuming foul play.

Can You Cancel Travel Insurance and Get a Refund?

Most travel insurance carriers allow refunds, depending on when a policy is canceled and if there is a money-back guarantee. Most insurers ask that the policy be revoked during the review period outlined in the contract terms to qualify for a complete travel insurance refund. If the review period has passed, then policyholders might be eligible for a partial refund or not qualify for one at all.

What To Do if a Travel Insurance Claim Is Denied

If your travel insurance claim submitted for medical reasons, delays, cancellations, or any other reason was denied by your insurer, then remember that you have options. Both denials and rejections may happen for valid as well as unethical reasons. An insurance claim denial is not the end of the road; you can dig deeper to figure out whether you can still be reimbursed under your insurance.

Travel insurance claims are routinely denied when policyholders make common mistakes in their claim forms, or they mistakenly assume their policy covers their specific situation. Good faith denials happen when policyholders do not fill out their travel insurance claim form correctly, do not submit the right documents, or do not include info like contact details for follow-up questions.

In some cases, travel insurance companies may wrongly deny claims and stall the claims process. For instance, they might fail to investigate the claim or conduct proper due diligence. In such scenarios, it is advisable that policyholders adjust and resubmit their insurance claim, appeal the denial, or pursue legal action if insurers continue to illegally hold their payout.

How To Appeal a Travel Insurance Claim: 4 Steps

The travel insurance claim appeal process allows policyholders to ask the insurer to reconsider its decision. When appealing their travel insurance claim, policyholders must:

• Carefully Review the Denial Letter: Review the specific reasons for the denial to determine your next steps. Cross-check the reasons stated with your policy documents, additional emails, and other papers.
• Review Your Policy: Review the terms of your travel insurance policy and pay attention to disclaimers, damage limits, filing time limits, and submission requirements.
• Reach Out for Assistance: After carefully reviewing your policy, if you find the denial letter and policy terms do not line up, contact an insurance legal expert with experience in handling travel insurance claims for help.
• Gather Documentation and Keep Careful Records: Maintain communication records with your insurer, copies of denial letters, and other documentation regarding your claim.

How To Write a Travel Insurance Claim Letter

Sometimes, travelers have to file a trip insurance claim when their vacation does not go according to the plan. A travel insurance claim letter is a formal piece of communication between you and your insurance agency. Its purpose is to ask for reimbursement for covered damages or losses under the travel insurance policy. Therefore, it is important to craft a professional and detailed claim letter to increase your chances of a favorable resolution.

A claim letter should include the following information:

• Introduce Yourself. Include all relevant information of the person appealing (such as the policy number and contact information).
• Address the Denial. Summarize the date you received the letter and why the denial was made. Do not leave out any important details.
• Point Out the Error. Explain why you do not agree with the claims denial, based on your policy and pertinent information.
• Attach Extra Documents. Include all other documents supporting your trip insurance claim, such as photos, additional correspondence, transcripts of phone calls, etc.

How Long Does It Take To Get Reimbursed From Insurance?

Travel insurance companies generally process most claims within a few weeks. Sometimes, the insurance claims process office might have follow-up questions, thereby increasing the time you can expect to hear back. However, if you feel that your insurance claim is taking months to resolve without a proper reason, you should speak to an experienced insurance dispute lawyer. While every situation is different, policyholders should always keep careful and consistent notes as it will help them take informed legal action if necessary.

Travel Insurance Claims Advice on Documentation

You must be thorough with your documentation to enhance your chance of successful recovery. When you file a trip claim, your insurer will more likely refund travel insurance when you include the following information in your claim submission:

• Lost Luggage: Make a list of what was lost, along with the details and cost of each lost item.
• Job Loss: Request that your previous employer send you a notarized letter on company letterhead in the case of a trip cancellation due to job loss.
• Medical Emergency: Include detailed medical records in your claim if a health emergency kept you from traveling.
• Canceled/Delayed Flight: If you could not attend your trip because the flight was canceled or delayed, provide proof such as an email that relays the reasons (mechanical issues, weather, etc.).
• Receipts for Delayed Flights: You might want to keep receipts for necessary expenses incurred due to delays, like hotel stays, transportation costs, meals, and personal necessities.
• Police Reports: These reports can help substantiate claims made for stolen items or car troubles.
• Other Reports: You may include tickets for unused flights or excursions in your insurance claim.

Has a Formal Complaint Been Filed Against the Travel Supplier?

Formal complaints against travel suppliers are helpful in legal cases dealing with similar situations. The Van Rossem v. Penney Travel Service (April 15, 1985) case exemplifies travel insurance gone wrong.

In this case, a newlywed couple arranged a honeymoon trip with travel agent Penney Travel. The agent used a wholesaler, Lotus Tours, to book the reservation without the couple's knowledge. Lotus Tours abruptly went bankrupt before booking the client's reservation with SANDLES, which remained unpaid. When the case came before the court, the judge noted that "an agent who makes the contract in his own name for an undisclosed principal is liable as a principal." Here, the defendant had failed to disclose the identity of Lotus Tours, and so, it was responsible as the principal. The couple had paid $2,059 in advance. The judge awarded them reimbursement of $1,312, plus costs and disbursements.

In another lawsuit, Touhey v. Trans National Travel , a travel agent did not check to see if the hotel a client had booked was duly constructed. The plaintiff-client was awarded $25,000 in special damages because of the mistake.

What Are Bad Faith Insurance Practices?

Bad faith insurance refers to unethical insurance practices used by an insurer to delay, deny, or lowball policyholders. Examples of bad faith insurance practices include:

• Misrepresenting contract language to prevent a payout
• Failing to disclose policy limitations and exclusions to policyholders
• Making unreasonable demands, like excessive paperwork requests to prove a covered loss

Sometimes, only a seasoned insurance dispute lawyer who regularly deals with contract breaches and bad faith claims can identify honest errors from serious red flags and help a policyholder get paid their due.

How to File a Travel Insurance Claim: A Summary

Travelers usually plan their vacations down to the last detail. Travel insurance is a buffer for unplanned curveballs that can derail even the most meticulous plans, such as medical emergencies or misplaced luggage.

Insurance companies are explicit about what travel mishaps or unexpected events they will or will not cover, which is why it is crucial to understand policy limitations and how to properly file a travel insurance claim.

As a final snapshot, the key steps to filing a travel insurance claim include:

• Reviewing policy terms and exclusions.
• Gathering necessary documentation based on submission requirements.
• Submitting your claim according to the insurer's timing and filing guidelines.
• Filing an appeal if an insurance claim is wrongly denied.
• Consulting an experienced insurance dispute lawyer to assist with an intentionally stalled, denied, or undervalued claim.

Travel insurance claims can become challenging, depending on the situation and response from your insurer. When small bumps in the road become permanent roadblocks, it is helpful to know that qualified travel insurance claims attorneys are available to help frustrated policyholders recover their losses.