Travel can be a rare privilege that many travelers work hard to afford, so, understandably, any added cost can be a burden. No matter how much the traveler’s budget is, travel insurance is essential, so AIG Travel Guard offers the Essential Plan for travelers who need an affordable plan.
Travel insurance is almost always a smart decision. In most cases, the cost of a basic plan, which can be as little as $100 even for an international trip, can save you thousands of dollars in the event of an unexpected baggage loss, a medical emergency, or trip delay. Travelers should always consider insuring their trip before leaving home to protect their hard-earned travel investment.
The AIG Travel Guard Essential Plan offers trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage up to 100% of the non-refundable, pre-paid trip costs that you insure. Even though the Essential plan is a more economical plan, it still offers a wide range of covered reasons for trip cancellation and interruption.
The Essential plan covers up to $500 for trip delays, which may be adequate when considering airlines also offer compensation when the interruption or delay is the fault of the airlines. Baggage delay is covered up to $200. In the case of a lost or stolen bag, Essential Plan policyholders are covered up to $750. For most travelers, this coverage for lost luggage is more than enough, as many do not travel with their most prized possessions.
In the case of unexpected medical expenses incurred during travel, up to $15,000 of coverage is provided, including $500 of dental expense coverage. No one thinks they will get sick or injured during a trip until they do. This benefit makes this insurance worth the price. In extreme circumstances when a medical emergency requires an evacuation, the Essential plan covers travelers up to $150,000 for emergency evacuation or, in case of death, the expense of repatriation.
No one planning a trip wants to think about it, but it is good to know you are financially covered if accidental death or dismemberment happens during your trip. With AIG’s Essential Plan, this unpleasant but unlikely scenario is covered up to $30,000.
The following benefits are extra coverages that can be added to an existing Essential policy. It is wise for any traveler to consider these because covering for any eventuality is a smart move.
If the traveler or any of the insured family members has a pre-existing condition, it is crucial to meet the Pre-Existing Medical Condition Exclusion Waiver eligibility requirements by purchasing the plan within 15 days of making the first payment towards the covered trip and insuring 100% of pre-paid and non-refundable trip costs. This first payment could be a plane ticket, hotel accommodation, or any reserved tours or attractions. This waiver allows the traveler to be covered by AIG despite any pre-existing conditions that otherwise would not have been covered.
If the plan is purchased within 15 days of the traveler’s initial trip deposit date, the Essential plan will also cover Trip Cancellation and Interruption due to Financial Default and include a $150 Missed Connection benefit.
The Essential plan offers several optional upgrades to help the budget traveler tailor their coverage to their particular needs.
The Medical Bundle can be added to a policy which will increase the covered amount for medical expenses that could occur while on a trip. This bundle also allows the traveler to choose where they receive treatment, as well as more evacuation benefits. Any traveler concerned about potential medical issues that could arise while traveling would be wise to consider this add on.
If traveling to a location with potential civil unrest, it would be smart to purchase the Security Bundle. This add-on benefit covers emergency evacuation from an area that is deemed no longer safe for travelers. Additionally, there is more coverage for trip cancellation and interruption due to an unsafe destination due to civil disorder.
Rental Vehicle Damage Coverage is another smart add-on for any insurer traveling an unknown area in a rental car. This is especially beneficial to travelers planning on driving in foreign countries. This enhancement to the Essential policy covers physical damage to a vehicle that would otherwise be the driver’s responsibility. Because unfamiliar roads and cars are not as easily maneuvered, this is an especially important add-on for any traveler taking to the open road.
AIG Travel Guard Essential is a comprehensive plan designed with budget travelers in mind. Whether it be their first trip or their 80th, travelers looking to be insured while keeping their expenditures minimal should consider the AIG Essential Plan with Enhancement Suite options that fit their needs.
