| Travel Guard | |
| Industry: | Travel insurance |
| Foundation: | 1982 |
| Num Locations: | Eight global service centers |
| Area Served: | 80+ countries around the world |
| Key People: | Jeff Rutledge, CEO (2006)Robert Gallagher, COO and Head of U.S. and Canada |
| Founder: | John M. Noel |
Travel Guard is the product name for travel insurance and assistance services provided by AIG Travel and American International Group, Inc.
In 1982 John M. Noel developed the Travel Guard product while he was working at Sentry Insurance. Soon, John purchased the rights to Travel Guard,[1] and by 1985, Travel Guard was operating out of the basement of its founder’s home. The company acquired Marathon Travel Shops in 1987.
In 1991, French-based GMF acquired Travel Guard. However, in 1993, the company's founder, Noel, reacquired the company.
In 2000, Noel, David LaFayette, and Nathan LaFayette created Travel Guard-Canada to offer travel insurance and travel services to Canadians. In May 2006, New York-based American International Companies, Inc. (AIG) acquired Travel Guard.
In July 2009, the company moved to its new home in a business park located off I-39 in Stevens Point. AIG subsidiary, National Union Fire Insurance Company, underwrites Travel Guard policies.
In 2012, Travel Guard became the product range name for all travel-related products and services of AIG.
AIG Travel has Travel Guard service centers in Stevens Point, WI; Houston, Texas; Brighton, United Kingdom; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Okinawa, Japan; Mexico City, Mexico; Sofia, Bulgaria; and Guangzhou, China.[2]