STEVENS POINT, Wis., Feb. 28 /PRNewswire/ — Air travel is becoming more challenging than ever, according to new statistics from the U.S. Department of Transportation. In 2006, flight delays climbed past 22 percent — a record- high — while the number of diverted flights also registered an all-time high. Additionally, about one in every 150 U.S. Passengers had a mishandled bag last year, with the total number of bags reported lost, stolen or mishandled in 2006 reaching nearly four million, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.* Delays, missed connections and lost luggage can throw the shortest of trips or long-planned vacations into chaos but, while flying has become more challenging, getting relief is easier than ever with comprehensive travel insurance plans through AIG Travel Guard.
While many people consider travel insurance typically for trip cancellation or medical coverage, increasingly it’s the lesser-known coverages, such as expense reimbursement due to flight delays or assistance in locating lost baggage or re-booking flights that are being tapped, according to Dan McGinnity, AIG Travel Guard Vice President. Travel Guard saw a 45 percent increase in baggage assistance requests in 2006 compared to 2005 illustrating that good insurance with travel assistance is becoming a necessity.
“With flight delays and baggage mishandling becoming more common than ever, travelers need to know that someone is standing by, ready to help them rebook a flight, track a lost bag or find accommodations in an unfamiliar city,” says McGinnity. “There is a lot of uncertainty in air travel today, but at least travelers don’t have to fend for themselves when it comes to resolving travel delays and lost luggage situations.”
Most retail travel insurance plans offered through AIG Travel Guard provide:
— reimbursement for accommodations and expenses incurred due to travel
delays;
— reimbursement for the purchase of essential items if baggage is
delayed;
— coverage against lost, stolen or damaged baggage;
— BagTrak, through which Travel Guard will initiate a search to locate
lost luggage and deliver it anywhere in the world, at no additional
cost;
— LiveTravel, an around-the-clock emergency travel hotline for finding
alternative flight options, rebooking flights, making hotel and rental
car reservations;
— Travel Guard Assist, a 24-hour hotline for assistance with emergency
medical needs, cash transfers, replacing lost travel documents, pre-
trip health and safety advisories and live e-mail and phone messaging
to family and friends.
The complete suite of family of travel insurance plans and assistance services through AIG Travel Guard can be purchased online at http://www.travelguard.com/ , through AIG Travel Guard’s 24-hour World Service Center (800-826-1300), or from one of the more than 12,000 travel agencies who offer Travel Guard plans.
AIG Travel Guard is America’s leading provider of travel insurance plans for more than 6 million travelers each year. Travel insurance plans through AIG Travel Guard are distributed by more than 12,000 travel agents across the United States.
Travel insurance through AIG Travel Guard may include coverage for trip cancellation, travel interruptions and delays, emergency medical expenses, medical evacuation expenses, and lost or delayed baggage. AIG Travel Guard’s plans also includes 24-hour travel emergency service for emergency medical assistance, last-minute or emergency travel changes, lost luggage tracking, pre-trip travel advice, and more — AIG Travel Guard is a wholly owned subsidiary of AIG Travel Services, Inc., a member company of American International Group, Inc. (AIG). AIG, world leaders in insurance and financial services, is the leading international insurance organization with operations in more than 130 countries and jurisdictions. The AIG Companies serve commercial, institutional and individual customers through the most extensive worldwide property-casualty and life insurance networks of any insurer. In addition, the AIG Companies are leading providers of retirement services, financial services and asset management around the world.
The travel insurance offered through AIG Travel Guard is underwritten by American Home Assurance Company or National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, Pa., with their principal place of business in New York, NY. Both of these companies are subsidiaries of AIG. The policies contain reductions, limitations, exclusions, and termination provisions. Not all coverages are available in every state. The non insurance services are provided by AIG Travel Assist.
*(Source: U.S. Department of Transportation, Air Travel Consumer Report,
February 2007)
