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Our History

Since the origin of our company, we’ve been leaders in taking on some of the most complex challenges in our industry.

Our Past Informs Our Future

At AIG, our success is built on being both responsive and forward-thinking in times of change. Whether we’re helping communities prepare for and recover from natural disasters, or helping organizations expand where they do business, we’ve learned how important it is to stay focused on the future. We were among the first to address issues like cyber security and have continued to develop solutions that meet the needs of clients all around the world. Today, approximately 190 countries and jurisdictions are served through AIG operations and network partners. 

The AIG Timeline

In 1919, working from a two-room office in Shanghai, China, Cornelius Vander Starr established American Asiatic Underwriters, an insurance agency to which we trace our roots.

We are proud of our heritage and invite you to explore the many milestones in our history. 

2022

  • AIG’s life and retirement business unit, Corebridge Financial, begins publicly trading as a separate company on the New York Stock Exchange.

  • Peter Zaffino is named Chairman of the AIG Board of Directors.

2021

  • Peter Zaffino is named Chief Executive Officer.

2018

  • AIG becomes the Title Sponsor of the Women’s British Open (now the AIG Women’s Open).

  • AIG acquires Validus Holdings, Ltd., a leading provider of reinsurance, primary insurance, and asset management services.

2012

  • AIG repays the U.S. Government the support it provided during the 2008 financial crisis.

2011

  • Fuji Fire and Marine, a leading non-life insurer, joins the AIG family in Japan.

2008

  • A financial crisis hits the U.S., the government provides support to AIG.

2006

  • AIG acquires Travel Guard, a provider of travel insurance programs and emergency travel assistance.

2001

  • Tata Group and AIG form a joint venture, Tata AIG General Insurance Company, in India.

1999

  • AIG launches one of the industry’s first cyber security insurance protection programs.

1992

  • The People's Republic of China grants AIG a license to operate a life and non-life insurance business in Shanghai—the first foreign insurer, granted a license in over 40 years by the Chinese government.

1984

  •  AIG begins trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

1976

  • AIG launches operations in Ireland, becoming the first wholly American-owned insurer established in the country.

1969

  • AIG stock begins publicly trading.

1967

  • American International Group, Inc. (AIG) incorporates in Delaware.

1957

  • American International Underwriters operations begin in Australia.

1953

  • American International Underwriters offices open in the United Kingdom.

1952

  • The acquisition of general insurer Globe and Rutgers Insurance Group, which includes the American Home brand, expands the domestic market business.

1949

  •  Operations begin in Brazil.

1946

  • After World War II, American International Underwriters offices open in Japan and Germany to provide insurance initially for the U.S. military.

1939

  • Main offices relocate from Shanghai, China, to New York City due to the onset of World War II.

1937

  •  First Latin American market operation opens in Cuba.

1926

  •  The first U.S. office, American International Underwriters, opens in New York City.

1923

  • Nelle Vander Starr (center) joins the organization’s operations in Shanghai, China, later becoming the first woman executive.

1919

  • Cornelius Vander Starr establishes American Asiatic Underwriters, a general insurance agency, in Shanghai, China.

2020's

2022

  • AIG’s life and retirement business unit, Corebridge Financial, begins publicly trading as a separate company on the New York Stock Exchange.

  • Peter Zaffino is named Chairman of the AIG Board of Directors.

2021

  • Peter Zaffino is named Chief Executive Officer.

2010's

2018

  • AIG becomes the Title Sponsor of the Women’s British Open (now the AIG Women’s Open).

  •  AIG acquires Validus Holdings, Ltd., a leading provider of reinsurance, primary insurance, and asset management services.

 

2012

  • AIG repays the U.S. Government the support it provided during the 2008 financial crisis.

2011

  • Fuji Fire and Marine, a leading non-life insurer, joins the AIG family in Japan.

2000's

2008

  • A financial crisis hits the U.S., the government provides support to AIG.

2006

  • AIG acquires Travel Guard, a provider of travel insurance programs and emergency travel assistance.

2001

  • Tata Group and AIG form a joint venture, Tata AIG General Insurance Company, in India.

1990's

1999

  • AIG launches one of the industry’s first cyber security insurance protection programs.

1992

  • The People's Republic of China grants AIG a license to operate a life and non-life insurance business in Shanghai—the first foreign insurer, granted a license in over 40 years by the Chinese government.

1980's

1984

  •  AIG begins trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

1970's

1976

  • AIG launches operations in Ireland, becoming the first wholly American-owned insurer established in the country.

1960's

1969

  • AIG stock begins publicly trading.

1967

  • American International Group, Inc. (AIG) incorporates in Delaware.

1950's

1957

  • American International Underwriters operations begin in Australia.

1953

  • American International Underwriters offices open in the United Kingdom.

1952

  • The acquisition of general insurer Globe and Rutgers Insurance Group, which includes the American Home brand, expands the domestic market business.

1940's

1949

  •  Operations begin in Brazil.

1946

  • After World War II, American International Underwriters offices open in Japan and Germany to provide insurance initially for the U.S. military.

1930's

1939

  • Main offices relocate from Shanghai, China, to New York City due to the onset of World War II.

1937

  •  First Latin American market operation opens in Cuba.

1920's

1926

  •  The first U.S. office, American International Underwriters, opens in New York City.

1923

  • Nelle Vander Starr (center) joins the organization’s operations in Shanghai, China, later becoming the first woman executive.

1910's

1919

  • Cornelius Vander Starr establishes American Asiatic Underwriters, a general insurance agency, in Shanghai, China.
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