COMPANIES

AIG

Office address: 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
Website: aig.com
Year established: 1919
Company type: financial services
Employees: 25,000+
Expertise: property casualty insurance, risk management, commercial insurance, cyber insurance, group accident and health, captive solutions, management and professional liability, specialty risks, multinational solutions, warranty and service programs
Parent company: N/A
Key people: Peter Zaffino (CEO); Ed Dandridge, Christopher Flatt, Charlie Fry, Keith Walsh, Chris Schaper, and Rose Marie Glazer (EVPs)
Financing status: corporation

AIG (American International Group) is an insurance group in New York that works with clients in more than 200 countries. It offers property casualty insurance, risk management, and financial services, with $24 billion in net premiums written in 2024. The company has a large workforce and a strong presence in both commercial and personal insurance markets.

History of AIG

AIG dates back to 1919, when Cornelius Vander Starr set up American Asiatic Underwriters in Shanghai, China. The company quickly grew, with Nelle Vander Starr joining in 1923 and becoming its first woman executive. By 1926, AIG had opened its first US office in New York City which marked the start of its American story.

Global expansion

AIG moved its main offices to New York City in 1939 because of World War II. It opened offices in Cuba, the UK, and Australia by the late 1950s. In the 1960s, the company was incorporated in Delaware and began trading publicly, which set the stage for even more growth.

Breaking new ground

AIG made history in 1992 as the first foreign insurer licensed in China in over 40 years. The company also launched one of the first cyber security insurance programs in 1999. The firm then formed a joint venture with Tata Group in India and acquired Travel Guard.

AIG's challenges and milestones

The firm faced a major test during the 2008 financial crisis, receiving government support but repaying it by 2012. The company continued to grow when it acquired Fuji Fire and Marine in Japan and Validus Holdings, Ltd. in 2018.

In recent years, AIG became the title sponsor of the Women’s British Open and helped triple the tournament’s prize money. This highlights its commitment to equality and excellence in sports.

A modern global leader

Today, AIG serves clients in about 190 countries and jurisdictions. The company states that it remains dedicated to creating opportunities and raising standards for clients and partners around the world

AIG products and services 

AIG delivers insurance and investment products for individuals and businesses, using global reach and expertise to meet complex needs:

Commercial insurance

  • property insurance: covers physical assets for businesses
  • casualty insurance: manages liability and legal risks
  • commercial property: protects buildings and business equipment
  • cyber insurance: addresses data breach and cyber risks
  • excess and surplus lines: insures unique or high-risk exposures
  • management and professional liability: protects executives and professionals from claims

Specialty and enterprise solutions

  • captive solutions: helps businesses manage risk internally
  • multinational solutions: supports firms with global operations
  • specialty risks: insures hard-to-place or unique risks
  • warranty and service programs: offers extended protection for products

Group and individual solutions

  • group accident and health: provides employee benefits coverage
  • individuals and families solutions: offers personal insurance and financial protection

Investment-focused offerings

  • retirement products: supports long-term savings and income needs
  • life insurance with investment options: combines protection and cash value growth
  • institutional investment products: delivers investment management for organizations

AIG is also recognized for its strong claims support and global network. The company helps clients manage risk, protect assets, and plan for the future in many markets.

Culture and corporate values

AIG reports that its purpose is to help clients face uncertainty and build confidence for the future. The company says they are shaped by a commitment to learning, trust, and working together, guided by these values:

  1. take ownership
  2. set the standard
  3. win together
  4. be an ally
  5. do what’s right

According to the company, employees are given support and space to grow, with a focus on tackling challenges together. AIG lists several benefits for its staff:

  • compensation and rewards: market-based pay, incentive compensation, and company performance rewards
  • retirement and savings: 401(k) contributions, life and disability insurance options
  • wellness and leave: health benefits, paid time off, parental leave, and emergency care support
  • financial assistance: emergency loans, financial counseling, and flexible spending accounts
  • career support: flexible work, skill development, learning programs, and tuition reimbursement
  • culture and community: volunteer time, employee groups, donation matching, discounts, and museum memberships

AIG also says that it builds a culture where everyone is respected and included. The company reports it uses fair pay structures and supports career growth for all employees.

About CEO Peter Zaffino and key people

Peter Zaffino is the chairperson and CEO of AIG, taking on both roles in 2021 and 2022 respectively. Before joining the firm in 2017, Zaffino held executive positions at Marsh & McLennan Companies and GE Capital. He has a bachelor’s degree from Boston College and an MBA from New York University.

The executive leadership team at AIG brings strong experience in insurance and finance:

  • Ed Dandridge is EVP and chief marketing & communications officer; he manages global brand and communications strategy
  • Christopher Flatt is EVP and global chief underwriting officer; he oversees underwriting standards and risk selection
  • Charlie Fry is EVP, reinsurance and risk capital optimization; he focuses on capital efficiency and reinsurance programs
  • Keith Walsh is EVP and CFO; he directs financial planning and company performance
  • Chris Schaper is EVP and chief risk officer; he oversees risk management and enterprise risk strategy
  • Rose Marie Glazer is EVP and general counsel; she manages legal affairs and corporate governance

AIG’s executive leadership team oversees core functions in marketing, underwriting, reinsurance, finance, risk management, and legal affairs, each led by experienced industry professionals.

The future at AIG

AIG welcomed over 120 interns in 2025 to give students real-world experience and build future talent. The company offered hands-on learning in areas like claims, finance, and underwriting, helping interns develop industry skills and professional networks. This program supports its long-term growth by preparing new professionals who understand its business and values.

The company also helped boost the visibility of women’s golf by serving as the title sponsor of the AIG Women’s Open. It helped triple the prize money and secured play on famous courses which made the event more competitive and global. The firm continues its focus on equality and works to lead in supporting women’s sports.

Displaying 610 results
Moody's maintains A3 long-term issuer rating on AIG after insurer reports profit

Moody's Investors Service today said it would keep its A3 long-term issuer rating on American International Group Inc. after the insurance company reported its first quarterly profit in nearly two years.

ALTERNATIVES AUG 09, 2009
SIGNS OF LIFE EMERGE IN SALES OF RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE

The residential-real-estate market, after virtually falling off a cliff from its apex of a few years ago, is being buoyed by a recent string of positive sales data.

RIA NEWS AUG 09, 2009
AIG Advisor Group may finally have a buyer

With discussions regarding the sale of the AIG Advisor Group dragging on for months, representatives and financial advisers who are affiliated with the beleaguered broker-dealers of the firm are relieved now that two final bidders have emerged.

AIG Director Golub will replace Liddy as chairman

American International Group Inc. said today director Harvey Golub will become Monday its non-executive chairman, replacing retiring Chairman Edward M. Liddy. Golub, 70, was elected to the AIG board in May 2009.

RIA NEWS AUG 07, 2009
AIG reports 2Q profit, first since 2007

The troubled insurer made $1.82 billion during the second quarter ended June 30. Of that, $311 million, or $2.30 per share, was attributable to common shareholders because the U.S. government owns 80% of the company after bailing it out last year.

ALTERNATIVES AUG 05, 2009
Goldman Sachs facing compensation, derivative inquiries

Goldman Sachs Group Inc., one of the banking industry's top performers, said today that government agencies have asked about its compensation practices and use of credit derivatives.

ALTERNATIVES AUG 04, 2009
AIG Investments close to $300M sale to Crestview

AIG Investments, the asset management arm of American International Group Inc., is close to being sold to a group that includes private equity firm Crestview Partners for $300 million to $400 million, Reuters reported today, citing a source.

RIA NEWS JUL 30, 2009
Commonwealth scoops up three teams managing $1.25B

Commonwealth Financial Network of Waltham, Mass., picked up three large offices of reps and advisers who manage $1.25 billion in July, and the advisers are coming from two broker-dealer networks that are being shopped by the insurance companies that own them.

ALTERNATIVES JUL 29, 2009
Former Paine Webber chief vies to buy AIG Advisors

Two private-equity firms with strong ties to retail broker-dealers are the final bidders for the AIG Advisor Group — the network of broker-dealers that houses about 6,000 independent registered reps and investment advisers — and a winner could be determined in the next several days, according to sources.

AIG sells life insurance premium finance business

Insurer American International Group Inc. said on today that it closed the sale of its life insurance premium finance business for $679.5 million in cash.

Report: Prudential in talks to buy AIG units in Japan

Prudential Financial Inc. of Newark, N.J., is back in talks with American International Group Inc. to purchase a pair of the beleaguered carrier's Japanese units, according to published reports.

AIG sells majority of Russian bank

American International Group Inc. today sold most of its ownership in its Russian consumer bank subsidiary.

Attempt to blame fair-value accounting for AIG’s woes was misleading, FASB chairman says

Former American International Group Inc. Chairman Martin Sullivan misled Congress last year when he told lawmakers AIG’s financial problems were caused by fair-value accounting standards, the chairman of the Financial Accounting Standards Board said today.

Obama initiative seeks fix to finance regulations

President Obama unveiled a systemwide regulatory overhaul Wednesday, measures he hopes will restore confidence in the U.S. financial system and prevent a repeat of the worst crisis to hit Wall Street in seven decades.