AIG Insurance Review & Complaints: Life, Travel, & Business Insurance (2024)

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With nearly 100 years in business, American International Group (or AIG Insurance Company) is truly an international company, and one of the largest property & casualty insurers in the U.S. Their image is one of strength, in spite of the financial crisis of 2008 and the company receiving the largest U.S. government bailout of a private company to date.

AIG is mainly recognized for its expertise in life insurance and travel insurance, while also providing commercial policies and financial services. Prior to commencing their journey, the travelers made sure to acquire a comprehensive travel insurance coverage, which aligns with AIG’s offerings.

This AIG Insurance review provides all the essential information, from AIG Insurance rates to the process of obtaining AIG Insurance quotes, ensuring a well-informed decision-making process.

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AIG Overview

AIG was founded in 1919 in Shanghai, China, as American Asiatic Underwriters. The company grew incredibly fast, opening its first office in the U.S. in 1926 as American International Underwriters Corporation. Following many years of global expansion and subsidiary formation, the company officially became American International Group in 1967, and went public two years later.

By the early years of the 2000s, AIG was an enormous company, but not without a few problems. In this time, the corporation came under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission, eventually facing fines and criminal charges for some executives.

More trouble followed in 2008, when the company faced a financial crisis and wound up the recipient of an enormous and controversial bailout package from the U.S. government. By 2012, the government had sold the AIG stock and made a nice profit, and the following year AIG launched a media campaign thanking America for the bailout. That was not the end of the controversy, though – a lawsuit regarding the legality of the way the bailout was handled was eventually settled in 2015.

During this process, AIG sold off a number of holdings in order to pay back loans and regain financial stability.

In spite of the controversy, AIG remains a huge international corporation, and in 2013 was one of the largest commercial property & casualty insurer in the U.S.

AIG’s products today include both personal and commercial lines coverage. Their main focus is on property & casualty, life insurance, and other financial products. AIG does not write the traditional lines of personal insurance – although they do offer some options for home and auto through their Private Client Group, which caters to the extremely wealthy.

For the average person, AIG is more likely to be an option for life insurance, annuities, or retirement products. They also offer some health insurance products. Although they previously owned 21st Century Insurance, which sells more individual products such as auto insurance policies, that company was sold to Farmer’s Insurance during AIG’s financial crisis.

AIG products are sold both directly and through insurance agents and brokers across the country. The website offers quick online quotes for life insurance products, but most other products require a more involved quoting process. (For more information, read our “How do insurance brokers and agents make money?“).

AIG’s headquarters is in New York, New York, with offices located around the world.
Among the companies in the group:

• AIG Direct
• American General Life Companies
• VALIC
• Western General
• AIG Life and Retirement

AIG is also associated with a number of other insurance companies, including Lexington and Travel Guard.

Read more:

• American General Life Insurance Review & Complaints: Life Insurance
• 21st Century Insurance Company Review & Complaints: Auto, Life & Home Insurance

The Bailout

The government bailout of AIG was perhaps one of the most reported and controversial of that time period. As previously noted, the bailout happened in 2008 when AIG ran into major financial difficulty following some major losses in various markets.

As AIG faced bankruptcy, the U.S. government approved an $85 billion bailout, the largest in history. Not long after, AIG paid out large bonuses to its executives, causing a great deal of general outrage. (For more information, read our “Getting Life Insurance After Bankruptcy“).

After the bailout, AIG began a slow process of selling off assets, including the sale of 21st Century Insurance, American General Life, and Hartford Steam Boiler. Meanwhile, the U.S. Treasury began selling their shares in the company over time, eventually clearing them entirely.

A 2013 lawsuit made accusations that the particulars of the AIG bailout were illegal, alleging that AIG was treated to harsher measures than other companies. The lawsuit pointed out that government took over nearly 80% of the company and ousted the CEO – measures that contrasted with other large bailouts.

Behind the lawsuit were AIG shareholders and the CEO who lost his job through the process, Maurice Greenberg. In early 2015, they won the suit, with a judge acknowledging the federal government’s actions in relation to the buyout and AIG’s ability to pay back their debt were in fact illegal. At the end of the suit, however, no reparations were required.

The bailout was something of a culmination of a period of financial difficulty in the U.S., and AIG became one of the more memorable players. Although the financial aspect was settled by 2012, the lawsuit was settled in 2015, placing AIG only recently in a position to really put the entire event in the past.

Further down, we’ll talk more about how AIG has rebuilt its reputation and what the bailout and other controversies mean for potential clients of the company.

What are AIG Personal Insurance products?

AIG products are divided between personal and commercial lines, with a much larger selection of products on the commercial side. Their personal lines products are centered on financial planning and estate planning, with most of the more common personal lines products absent.

The main areas of personal insurance from AIG are in life insurance and health coverage. Other personal products are mainly financial in nature. AIG does not generally write auto insurance, home insurance, or other vehicle insurance, with the exception of their Private Client Insurance.

AIG Life Insurance

For 2014, AIG was ranked at #2 among America’s biggest life insurance companies by LifeHealthPro. They write a wide variety of different types of life insurance to meet the needs of nearly any customer, from traditional to more modern policy types.

• Whole Life – AIG writes basic whole life insurance policies that provide stable premiums and a guaranteed death benefit along with a cash accumulation account.
• Universal Life – These policies are designed to offer flexible premium options with a guaranteed death benefit as well as cash accumulation that can be accessed if needed.
• Variable Universal Life – Similar to a Universal policy, but with even more flexibility, Variable Universal Life can be used as an investment as well as offering a guaranteed death benefit.
• Index Universal Life – With a little more risk and less guarantee, this type of policy offers a more unusual investment opportunity within a Universal life insurance policy.
• Term Life – AIG offers a range of terms and death benefits to allow individuals to get the coverage they need when they most need it.
• Quality of Life Insurance – This unique and more modern product from AIG offers both a life insurance policy with a death benefit, but also allows access to the policy benefits during your lifetime. The policy uses flexible riders to offer living benefits for critical illness and other crisis situations that can have a major financial impact.

Accident & Health Insurance

AIG writes simple Accidental Death & Dismemberment policies available with no medical exam required. These affordable policies provide benefits for a variety of accident injuries and death. They are available at several levels of benefits and price points.

Travel Insurance

AIG’s subsidiary insurance companies write a wide variety of travel insurance policies offered through Travel Guard. (read our “Travel Guard Insurance Review & Complaints: Travel Insurance” for more information). Policies include coverage for travel medical expenses, trip interruption, package policies, and more.

AIG Private Client Insurance

Unless you happen to be among the wealthiest people in the world, AIG’s Private Client Insurance plans will not likely apply to you. According to the company, this program provides insurance for auto, home, yachts, excess liability, and more to 40% of the Forbes list of wealthiest Americans. The program is designed to provide for the insurance needs of the very wealthy – made obvious by the available $100 million in excess liability coverage. AIG Insurance auto coverage is only available through this program. (For more information, read our “Best Life Insurance Policies for Wealthy People“).

AIG Financial Products

AIG offers a large range of financial products for individuals, for all ages and lifestyles.
Among them are:

• Annuities
• Mutual Funds
• IRAs
• Individual Investment Accounts
• College Savings
• Group Retirement
• Real Estate Loans

What are AIG Commercial Insurance products?

AIG is an enormous commercial insurer in the U.S., writing a large array of products for businesses large and small. Commercial insurance is written internationally and covers most aspects of business needs in a large number of industries.

AIG’s Commercial Insurance offerings include:

• Accident and Health
• Alternative Risk
• Benefit Solutions
• Crisis Management
• Management Liability
• Marine and Inland Marine
• Mortgage Insurance
• Political Risk
• Professional Liability
• Property & Casualty
• Trade Credit
• Travel Insurance
• Surety
• Warranty

Property & Casualty commercial policies are AIG’s bread and butter, and they consistently rank among the largest providers in the nation.

Their policies include coverage for:

• Energy Warranty
• Coastal Condo, Hotel, and Motels and their particular risks
• Commercial Umbrella
• Construction All-Risk coverage
• Equipment Breakdown
• Firearms Business Insurance
• Fitness and Recreation Centers
• Foreign Casualty
• General Liability
• Healthcare Liability
• Human Services Program coverage
• Large Limits property coverage
• Offshore Property
• Product Liability
• Standalone Terrorism coverage
• Worker’s Compensation

They also provide group insurance options for businesses including group retirement plans, life insurance plans, and other financial services. They assist companies in providing benefits packages to their employees as well as basics like Worker’s Comp.

What are AIG Insurance prices and premiums?

The vast majority of AIG’s products are not easily quotable, mainly because they require a great deal of information and detail, and rates can vary greatly.

AIG is a big company, however, does not generally aim its products at the average person. The exception to this might be their life insurance and financial planning products. Because the company does not position itself as a discount insurance company, and makes zero effort to advertise itself as a budget option, it can be expected that most of the premiums will not be the most competitive option in the insurance industry.

That said, AIG is a huge force in the life insurance business, which speaks to the fact that a large number of people are finding the products affordable as well as being a solid choice. AIG does offer online quoting for its term life insurance product, but requires personal information entered and contact information for a follow-up. This differs from some simple life insurance quoting options provided by other companies, which are without any sort of commitment to being contacted by the company afterward.

Most other products from AIG will require a more intensive pricing process in order to provide an accurate quote. The one area where they offer a number up front is with Accident & Health coverage, which they state is available from $9/month for $50,000 in coverage without a medical exam. This can certainly be helpful when dealing with the expense of medical costs.

As a financial services company selling most of their products through agents and brokers, customers can expect agent commissions and fees to impact the rates. AIG is not likely to be the most cost-effective option for most people, but focuses on offering strong products and good customer service, instead of the most affordable rates.

Mastering the Claims Journey at AIG Insurance

Ease of Filing a Claim

AIG Insurance offers a variety of methods for policyholders to file claims, ensuring convenience and accessibility. Policyholders can initiate the claims process through online platforms, over the phone, or via mobile apps. This flexibility makes it easier for customers to report and manage their claims in a way that suits their preferences.

Average Claim Processing Time

AIG Insurance is committed to efficient claim processing. While processing times can vary depending on the complexity of the claim, AIG aims to resolve claims as promptly as possible. Policyholders can expect timely payouts for covered claims, and the company strives to minimize delays, providing a reasonable processing timeframe.

Customer Feedback on Claim Resolutions and Payouts

Customer feedback regarding AIG Insurance’s claim resolutions and payouts has been mixed. Some policyholders have reported positive experiences with quick and fair claim settlements, particularly for straightforward claims.

However, there have also been complaints about delays and disputes in certain cases. It’s essential for policyholders to understand their coverage and engage in clear communication with the company during the claims process to help ensure a smoother resolution.

Digital Solutions: Innovative Technology at AIG Insurance

Mobile App Features and Functionality

AIG Insurance offers a mobile app that provides policyholders with convenient access to their insurance information and services. The app is designed for user-friendly navigation, allowing customers to review policies, file claims, and access important resources while on the go.

The mobile app enhances the overall customer experience by putting insurance management at policyholders’ fingertips.

Online Account Management Capabilities

Policyholders can easily manage their insurance policies through AIG’s official website. The online account management portal offers a range of features, including updating personal information, reviewing policy documents, and accessing resources related to coverage. AIG’s online platform simplifies policy management, making it accessible and convenient for customers.

Digital Tools and Resources

AIG Insurance provides various digital tools and resources to assist policyholders in understanding their insurance needs and making informed decisions. These resources include online calculators, educational materials, and informative articles. By offering these digital assets, AIG aims to empower its customers with knowledge about their coverage and options.

AIG Insurance: What’s the Bottom Line?

In spite of a rocky few years, AIG today is stable and moving forward from the scandals and financial troubles of the past. There is no evidence that consumers should have concerns regarding the company’s stability.

AIG is likely to be a good choice for those who need financial planning products and are seeking a good selection of life insurance products. In the commercial market, AIG is a very good bet for anyone needing nearly any form of business insurance. Their commercial programs are solid and very reputable, and cover a wide variety of risks. AIG is a top performer in both life and business insurance, making the company one to put high on the list of choices.

AIG is also the insurance company of choice for anyone who has a large number of assets to protect – generally the wealthy who are in need of comprehensive personal insurance. This insurance will not apply to the larger percentage of the population, who will need to seek auto and home insurance coverage elsewhere. People with a more modest disposition may find this side of the company as something of a sign that the “little guy” isn’t an important client, although many reviews do not seem to support this.

For those that don’t qualify for AIG Insurance, rest assured that there is a plethora of other providers to choose from for whatever your coverage needs are. You don’t need to own lot of possessions or have a high income in order to have suitable, worthy insurance that guarantees proper protection.

Overall, the company has little of concern in terms of reviews and complaints on a consumer level, and is most certainly on the path towards a better reputation for the future.

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