Travel Guard is a North American travel insurance provider. It specializes in providing travel insurance, assistance and emergency travel service plans.
History
In 1982 John Noel developed the Travel Guard product while he was working at Sentry Insurance. Soon, John purchased the rights to Travel Guard and by 1985 Travel Guard was operating out of the basement of its founder’s home. The company acquired Marathon Travel Shops in 1987. Then, in 1991, the Travel Guard was acquired by French-based GMF, but Noel reacquired the company in 1993.
In 1982 John Noel developed the Travel Guard product while he was working at Sentry Insurance. Soon, John purchased the rights to Travel Guard and by 1985 Travel Guard was operating out of the basement of its founder’s home. The company acquired Marathon Travel Shops in 1987. Then, in 1991, the Travel Guard was acquired by French-based GMF, but Noel reacquired the company in 1993.
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. Travel Guard remains based in Stevens Point, Wisconsin with a new CEO, Dean Sivley, to serve as the company’s Chief Executive Officer.
In July 2009, Travel Guard moved to its new home in a business park located off I-39 in Stevens Point. The company currently operates as part of Chartis, AIG's rebranded U.S. property-casualty subsidiary. AIG subsidiary, National Union Fire Insurance Company, underwrites Travel Guard policies.
