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     AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON MARCH 18, 1998
 
                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
 
          PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES
                              EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
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[x]  Definitive Additional Materials
[ ]  Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 248.14a-11(c) or Section 240.14a-12
                   
                    AMERICAN BANKERS INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

                      AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant)
 
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        On March 17, 1998, American International Group, Inc. issued the
following Press Release: 

                 [AIG LOGO] AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC.
                       70 Pine Street New York, NY 10270

NEWS

Contact:  Joe Norton
          AIG Director of Public Relations
          212/770-3144


           AIG ISSUES STATEMENT OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AT FLORIDA
           ----------------------------------------------------------
                         INSURANCE DEPARTMENT HEARING
                         ----------------------------


NEW YORK, March 17, 1998 - American International Group, Inc. (NYSE: AIG) today
released the following statement from Howard I. Smith, Executive Vice
President, Chief Financial Officer and Comptroller of AIG, which Mr. Smith
delivered today at a public hearing conducted by the Florida Department of
Insurance. The hearing is being conducted to review the suitability of AIG's
proposal to acquire American Bankers Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE: ABI). 
                                 _____________
                                        
        Ladies and gentlemen, I recognize that this has been a complex and
technical discussion. Let me close with five points that, we think, capture the
essence of AIG's suitability--indeed our superiority--as a merger partner for
American Bankers.

        First, we are well known to you, the Department, and to the State of
Florida. We have been in the insurance business here for decades. We have a
long, successful record of selling insurance, meeting payrolls, paying claims
and serving policyholders in Florida.

         Second, we are well known to American Bankers, and we have been chosen
as the preferred merger partner by American Bankers and its Board of Directors.
American Bankers has long been a pillar of the Florida community, and our
willingness to continue that role was central to their decision to go forward
with us. During the course of our due diligence activities, it became apparent
to both ABI and us that the cultures of the two organizations were also a
perfect match.

        Third, we know insurance and we know how to make insurance companies
grow. We share with the American Bankers board a common vision of the growth
potential of their business, and we are committed to realizing that potential.
And as American Bankers grows, so will its place in the state and economy of
Florida. We and ABI share a joint vision also of international growth for the
company. Such international growth, including Latin America, Asia and Europe,
will also produce the need for additional headquarters staff in Miami to manage
and control such business, including probably EDP needs. There is no partner
for ABI with the ability from day one to provide existing insurance entities
and huge policyholder lists in 130 countries and jurisdictions like AIG.

                                     (more)
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AIG Issues Statement of Chief Financial Officer at Florida Insurance Dept. 
hearings
March 17, 1998
Page two

        Fourth, we are financially strong. We are a triple-A-rated company,
with a tangible net worth of $17 billion. We have the capability to stand
behind American Bankers and its policies no matter what economic or natural
disasters might arise in its future.

        Fifth, we are wholly committed to American Bankers' people and its
communities. We are buying this company for its expertise, not for its mailing
lists. Because we want those people to be happy and productive, we are
committed to job retention, headquarters retention, public school retention,
day care center retention, and, overall, to retention of that quality of life
that has made American Bankers so desirable a place to work up to now. And we
are similarly committed to retention of American Bankers' role as a
constructive, involved citizen in its community.

        This hearing is about the merits of AIG, not about other companies,
however tangible or virtual they may seem. But I would submit that no other
company likely to appear before you can equal AIG's suitability in any one of 
these five areas--and certainly not in all five. AIG stands alone as the
superior merger partner--the only fully qualified merger partner--for American 
Bankers.

        We think it is critical to look at a company's track record, not its
words or catchy ads, to determine how an entity grows and manages businesses
and adds to the employee base. AIG has many employees all over the world who
have been part of our family for well in excess of 15-20 year periods.

        We select our acquisition partners very carefully. Although we do not
make many acquisitions, the ones we do make go on to be successful long-term 
marriages.

        Thank you.

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        AIG is the leading U.S.-based international insurance organization and
among the largest underwriters of commercial and industrial insurance in the
United States. Its member companies write property, casualty, marine, life and
financial services insurance in approximately 130 countries and jurisdictions,
and are engaged in a range of financial services businesses. American
International Group, Inc.'s common stock is listed on the New York Stock
Exchange, as well as the stock exchanges in London, Paris, Switzerland and 
Tokyo.

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