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IMG Travel Insurance: Is it Worth The Cost?

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Table of Contents

IMG travel insurance plans and costs

Which img travel insurance plan is best for me, can you buy img travel insurance online, what isn’t covered by img travel insurance, covid-19 considerations, is img travel insurance worth it.

• Annual or single-trip policies are available.
• Coverage available for adventure travelers.
• Special medical insurance for ship captains and crew members, international students and missionaries.
• Claim approval can be lengthy.

Are you planning to travel soon? We don’t blame you — spending the last few years dealing with country shutdowns, testing requirements and travel restrictions has considerably impacted everyone.

If you’ve booked a vacation, you may wonder if you should purchase travel insurance. Among a variety of providers from which to choose, IMG insurance offers several different insurance plans. These include both short- and long-term policies, some of which include coverage for issues arising from COVID-19 illness.

Let’s look at IMG travel insurance, its different plans, and how to choose one that’s right for you.

» Learn more: Common myths about travel insurance and what it covers

The type of travel insurance you’ll want to purchase will depend on what kind of travel you’re doing. Are you looking specifically for medical coverage? How about trip insurance in case your plans go awry? You can be reimbursed in various circumstances if you have the proper insurance.

Single-trip plans

Single-trip plans are intended for those going on a trip for a predetermined period and returning home. This is compared to those who intend to take multiple trips within a year or those who will be abroad for a long time.

To get an idea of the options, we input a search for a 40-year-old female from Arizona traveling for two weeks to the U.K. on a $5,000 vacation.

IMG returned a total of 12 different plans. The cheapest plan, at $37.31, was limited strictly to health insurance. This includes coverage of up to $1,000,000 for unexpected illnesses and accidents.

The most expensive option, meanwhile, included medical insurance, trip cancellation insurance, and trip delay insurance. The total cost for this plan came out to $343.96.

Many travel credit cards offer complimentary trip insurance as long as you pay for the trip with your card, though coverage levels may vary.

Annual plans

Annual plans are built for those types of folks who travel often. This can be on many short trips or for longer-term absences from home.

For an idea of the annual plan coverage IMG offers, we put in a search for a 32-year-old man from Oregon, traveling for a year with a budget of $30,000.

In this case, IMG returned a total of 19 different plans. The cheapest plan cost $160.90 for the year and included worldwide health insurance and a deductible of $250.

It’s worth noting that you can alter the deductible amount — upping the deductible to $10,000 dropped the annual cost of the insurance down to just $65.60.

The most expensive option, meanwhile, cost $816.69 and included 24/7 telehealth access for non-emergency medical questions. Maximum coverage limits for the policy range from $2,000,000 to $8,000,000.

» Learn more: How much is travel insurance?

The type of plan you’ll need will vary based on your travel habits. Here are some things you’ll want to think about when choosing your plan:

Look at coverage details

Some policies provide emergency medical evacuation coverage, while others skip this benefit entirely. This benefit may be more important to you if you travel to a remote location or engage in physical activity such as trekking.

More comprehensive plans may include other benefits such as assistance with acquiring a new passport, reimbursing reward mile redeposit fees or coverage for pre-existing conditions. If these are something you’re interested in, be sure to check that your policy includes these options.

Think long-term

If you’re planning on traveling multiple times within the year, compare the cost of purchasing several different single-trip policies to buying a year-long plan, which may save you money.

Use existing coverage

If you hold a credit card with trip insurance, you may want to skip purchasing insurance entirely. Depending on your card, you may already have emergency medical insurance, trip interruption insurance, rental car insurance, trip delay insurance and more.

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

If you’re looking to purchase IMG travel insurance, you’ll first want to navigate its website: imglobal.com .

From there, you’ll be able to enter the details of your trip, including how many travelers you have, where you’re going and how long you’ll be gone. You’ll then be presented with various insurance plans to fit your needs.

We mentioned above that different plans have different levels of coverage. Still, in general, there are some things that you shouldn’t expect to be covered, including high-risk activities, intentional acts of harm and other designated events.

» Learn more: Does travel insurance cover medical expenses?

You’ll want to be aware that not all insurance plans cover instances of coronavirus. This is also true for IMG travel insurance; different plans have different levels of coverage and not all of these include COVID-19 protection.

If coronavirus is something you’d be covered for, you’ll want to double-check your plan before purchasing. Those that include coverage for COVID-19 will specify so like this:

» Learn more: Is there travel insurance that covers COVID quarantine?

The cost of your travel insurance will vary based on your coverage levels. Things that may bump up the price of your policy may include trip reimbursement insurance, cancel for any reason insurance and pre-existing condition coverage.

Yes, IMG offers international travel insurance. When getting a quote, you’ll be able to select the countries to which you’re traveling, though if you’re looking for a long-term plan, you can expect worldwide coverage.

Whether or not travel insurance is worthwhile will depend entirely upon your needs. If you have a credit card that provides complimentary insurance, that may suffice. Otherwise, purchasing a plan could help bring you peace of mind on your vacation and help you manage an unforeseen challenge if one occurs.

Some IMG travel insurance plans offer Cancel For Any Reason as an add-on. This benefit covers 75% of your nonrefundable trip cost and must be purchased within a specific time frame from your initial trip deposit. For example, for IMG’s iTravelInsured Travel LX plan you need to purchase CFAR within 20 days of trip deposit.

The cost of your travel insurance will vary based on your coverage levels. Things that may bump up the price of your policy may include trip reimbursement insurance,

cancel for any reason insurance

and pre-existing condition coverage.

Travel insurance can be a good option for those wanting coverage while away from home. The cost of your policy will vary based on the coverage you want — the better the plan, the more you can expect to pay.

Choosing whether or not to purchase travel insurance from IMG is a personal decision. However, if you’re heading out of town and want to be sure you’re covered, do your research and select a plan that suits your needs.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

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Choose the plan that meets your needs and spend more time enjoying your international experience not worrying about your insurance coverage.

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What type of coverage do you need?

• Vacation / Holiday
• Visitor / Immigrant
• Student / Scholar
• Employer / Business Traveler
• Expat / Global Citizen
• Mission / Social Good
• Marine Captain / Crew
• Flights / Airfare
• Cruises / Excursions

Travel Medical Insurance

Temporary coverage for accidents, sicknesses, & emergency evacuations when visiting or traveling outside of your home country.

Popular Plans

International health insurance.

Annually renewable international private medical insurance coverage for expats and global citizens living or working internationally.

Travel Insurance

Coverage designed to protect you from financial losses should your trip be delayed, interrupted, or cancelled.

Enterprise Services

Meet your duty of care obligations with confidence, knowing your travelers are safe, healthy, and connected wherever they may be in the world.

What type of organization do you represent?

• Corporations
• Insurance Companies
• Educational Institutions
• Mission Organizations
• Maritime Industries
• Government Agencies
• Non-Profit Organizations

Medical & Travel Assistance

Your travelers can access 24/7 global support should they need medical attention, travel assistance, or medical transport services.

Global Workers' Compensation Case Management

Rest assured knowing you have an experienced team who is committed to reducing your costs, moving your files forward, and serving as an international resource for all your work injury claims.

Security Assistance Services

Keep your travelers safe, no matter where they are, with real-time alerts and intelligence on safety, health, political, and other global risks.

Insurance Administrative Services

You’ll have experts to guide you through all things related to your health care plan needs, from enrollment to claim reimbursement.

Visitor Insurance Plans

Visitor & immigrant health insurance options.

V isitor Insurance most commonly refers to international travel medical insurance plans designed for international travelers visiting the United States of America. These plans are perfect for non-U.S. citizens who have domestic health insurance, but aren’t covered outside of their home country.

Specifically, in the United States, healthcare costs are much higher than the rest of the world, and an unexpected illness could result in you owing thousands of dollars. IMG’s visitor insurance plans provide coverage for new medical expenses, multilingual customer service experts, hands-on healthcare coordinators available 24/7 and online resources to make traveling internationally less stressful.

Visitor Insurance plans are excellent for visiting family members or friends, vacationing, taking a short business trip, or any reason that you may find yourself in the U.S. To compare IMG's visitor insurance plans, check out our article, How to Choose the Best Visitor Insurance Plan for You .

Popular Plans For Visitors & Immigrants

Patriot America Plus

Temporary health insurance for non-U.S. residents traveling to the USA

• COVID-19 coverage for travelers to the U.S.
• Coverage for inside the U.S.
• Short-term travel medical coverage
• Made for individuals, groups, and their dependents
• Coverage for Acute Onset of Pre-Existing Conditions*
• Freedom to seek treatment with hospital or doctor of your choice

Summary of Benefits

Visitors Protect Insurance

Temporary health insurance for individuals, families

• Coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions
• Coverages for inside the U.S., Canada and Mexico
• Coverage for individuals, and their dependents
• Subject to deductible and coinsurance
• Limit: $300 (Unexpected pain or treatment due to an accident)
• Treatment at a hospital due to an
• Additional treatment for the same injury rendered by a dental provider will be paid at 100%

Patriot Platinum Travel Medical Insurance

Temporary first-class health insurance for individuals, families, and groups

• Coverages for inside and outside the U.S. ( Patriot America Platinum / Patriot International Platinum )
• Coverage for individuals, groups, and their dependents
• Higher Limits & More Coverage than Patriot Lite Travel or Patriot Plus

Additional Plans For Visitors & Immigrants

Patriot Lite Travel Medical Insurance

Temporary health insurance for individuals, families, and groups when traveling outside of your home country.

Visitors Care

Temporary fixed coverage health insurance for non-U.S. residents when traveling outside of your home country.

Global Medical Insurance

A long-term (1+ year), annually renewable, worldwide medical insurance program for individuals and families.

Patriot Multi-Trip Travel Medical Insurance

Annual multi-trip travel medical insurance for individuals, families and groups.

UnitedHealthcare Dental Plans

Dental insurance options with coverage for routine preventive dental care for individuals and families visiting the U.S. Underwritten by Golden Rule Insurance Company.

UnitedHealthcare Vision Plans

Vision insurance with coverage for routine preventive vision care for individuals and families visiting the U.S. Underwritten by Golden Rule Insurance Company.

Give us a call

Have any questions we’re here to help you, 866-263-0669, is visitor insurance required in the u.s..

V isitor insurance is not required to travel to the U.S. on a B-2 visa. However, healthcare costs in the U.S. are often higher than those in other countries, so not having the proper coverage could leave you to pay thousands of dollars for any necessary medical care.

Purchasing visitor insurance is also a very simple process as no medical exam or medical history review is necessary to get coverage. These plans are designed to protect you from unexpected illnesses or injuries that occur while you are traveling, thus your past health history is not needed.

For answers to any other visitor insurance questions, check out our Visitor Insurance FAQs .

How Much Does Visitors Insurance Cost? Coverage starts at a few dollars per day and increases depending on age and coverage options

IMG’s most popular visitor insurance plan, Patriot America Plus , offers excellent coverage at a competitive price. There are also other product tiers that vary in price depending on your budget and level of benefits. Patriot Platinum Insurance provides the highest level of coverage, while Visitors Care provides a lower priced option with limited benefits. Or you can choose your own visitor insurance plan.

Factors that Determine Cost The cost of a visitor health insurance plan varies based on many factors, including:

Age of traveler.

Old and young visitors alike can find a visitor insurance plan that fits their needs. While premiums become more expensive for older travelers due to increasing risks of health problems, there are still many varying price levels available to fit in your budget.

Area of Coverage

Visiting the United States will result in a higher premium than if traveling to another part of the world due to the high costs of medical care in the country.

View the breakdown of daily and monthly rates in the Patriot America Plus brochure  to get a better idea of how much you can expect to spend for coverage during your trip. For any trip longer than a year, you may also want to explore our international health insurance options .

Coverage Level

Higher maximum limits and lower deductibles will increase your plan costs. Consider how much you could afford in addition to your deductible if something unexpected were to happen while you’re away when choosing the right options for you.

What Does Visitor Health Insurance Cover? Depending on the visitor insurance plan purchased, some of the key benefits provided can include:

Emergency evacuation.

In the event of an emergency medical evacuation, coverage provides evacuation to the nearest qualified medical facility and expenses for reasonable transportation resulting from the evacuation.  

Medical Expenses

Coverage for medically necessary expenses resulting from new or unexpected injuries or illnesses including local ambulance, intensive care, emergency room, and more, if needed.

Return of Mortal Remains

Should a covered illness or injury unfortunately result in death, this benefit provides coverage for repatriation of bodily remains or ashes to your home country; or for the preparation, local burial or cremation of your mortal remains, at the place of death.

Pre-Existing Condition Coverage (Varies by Plan)

Visitors Protect provides pre-existing condition coverage for gradually developing conditions or those becoming worse over time. Patriot America Plus and Patriot America Platinum provide coverage for acute onset of pre-existing conditions in the event of a sudden and unexpected outbreak or recurrence of a pre-existing condition.

Recent Blog Articles

Where can you travel internationally right now.

There are many international destinations that you can currently visit, but here are eight popular spots to consider for your next leisure getaway.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our Visitors Protect plan offers coverage for pre-existing conditions that gradually develop or worsen over time (such as diabetes or high blood pressure). This plan is designed specifically for individuals and families traveling from their home country to the United States, Canada, and Mexico. For more information, view the full Visitors Protect benefits table .

Other IMG international travel medical plans may cover “Acute Onset of Pre-Existing Conditions.” This is different than a more traditional definition of “Pre-Existing Conditions.” Patriot America Plus, Patriot America Platinum, Patriot International, and Visitors Care plans cover acute onset of pre-existing conditions, but they are only covered prior to age 70 and are subject to the language in the insurance plan. Here is our definition of what would be considered an acute onset of a pre-existing condition (according to a sample insurance plan from October 2022):

A sudden and Unexpected outbreak or reoccurrence that is of short duration, is rapidly progressive, and requires urgent medical care. A Pre-existing Condition that is chronic or congenital, or that gradually becomes worse over time is not an Acute Onset of Pre-existing Condition. An Acute Onset of Pre-existing Condition does not include any condition for which, as of the Effective date, the Insured Person (i) knew or reasonably foresaw he/she would receive, (ii) knew or reasonably foresaw he/she should receive, (iii) had scheduled, or (iv) were told that he/she must or should receive, any medical care, drugs or Treatment.

Yes, the insured does not have to be the one that fills out the application. You can purchase a travel medical plan for your parents, friends, or relatives as long as you have the necessary information.

It is best to check all of your existing coverages or insurance policies before traveling abroad so that you're aware of how you're covered and where you have gaps in your existing coverage.

IMG’s international travel medical products are not a substitute for minimum essential coverage that you may need to have under PPACA. If you are a U.S. citizen, national or legal resident alien in the U.S., you will need to maintain minimum essential coverage unless you are exempt. Exemptions include:

• Individuals not residing in the U.S.
• Non-U.S. citizens who are “non-resident aliens” (for U.S. income tax purposes).  See Am I a Resident or Non-Resident Alien? 
• Individuals with a coverage gap of less than 3 months
• Individuals who cannot afford coverage (i.e. required contribution exceeds 8% of household income)
• Individuals with a religious conscience exemption (applies only to certain faiths)
• Members of a health care sharing ministry
• Incarcerated individuals
• Individuals with income below the tax filing threshold; and
• Members of Indian tribes

You will not need PPACA coverage for short-term travel to the U.S., unless you are considered an “alien lawfully present” in the U.S. See I am a Non-U.S. citizen covered under a Global Medical Insurance Plan .

In general, PPACA does not govern short-term limited duration insurance, like IMG’s short-term travel medical insurance programs .

However please understand that under PPACA, as of January 1, 2014, extensions of short-term coverage will be limited to less than 12 months to meet the definition of a short-term limited duration plan.

The "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act," commonly known as PPACA, was first introduced as a measure to deal with rising healthcare costs and numbers of uninsured.

The heart of PPACA consists of three provisions: guaranteed issue (insurers must offer coverage regardless of the applicant's health status or pre-existing conditions), community rating (insurers must offer policies within a given territory at the same price regardless of health status, age, gender, or other factors), and an individual mandate. The individual mandate assures that everyone has a minimum amount of coverage: those above a certain annual income are required to purchase coverage or incur a tax penalty; those who cannot afford it will have their coverage paid for by the government.

As PPACA continues to be implemented and challenged throughout the country, understanding the issues and implications for the international insurance industry and your business becomes all the more important.

Insurance prices are regulated by the government - you won't find a better price on IMG insurance plans anywhere else.  

Visitors should plan to get insurance after they plan their trip and receive their visa, but before they arrive in the U.S. The effective dates for coverage should match their visa.

If you were to suffer an injury or get sick while visiting the United States, you might be surprised by the cost of medical care. You may also be surprised by the limited assistance your domestic insurance provider can provide while you're visiting. Visitor insurance coverage in the U.S. helps to ensure that you don't incur any unforeseen expenses, receive excellent care, and get home quickly and safely if anything were to happen during your visit. 

If you are applying for coverage under the Patriot series of plans, IMG will process your application and send your ID card and other documents within one business day. If you are applying for coverage under the Global or Group series, IMG will process your application within three to four business days following the receipt of all required information, and your materials will be forwarded the same day coverage is approved. Every attempt will be made to process your application timely. The specific time frame depends largely on the type of coverage for which you are applying. 

This is not an offer to enter into an insurance contract. This is only a summary and shall not bind the company or require the company to offer or write any insurance at any particular rate or to any particular group or individual. The information on this page does and will not affect, modify or supersede in any way the policy, certificate of insurance and governing policy documents (together the "Insurance Contract"). The actual rates and benefits are governed by the Insurance Contract and nothing else. Benefits are subject to exclusions and limitations.

Need extra protection and coverage? Explore our travel insurance options.

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International Medical Group (IMG) Travel Insurance Review – Is It Worth It?

Christine Krzyszton

Senior Finance Contributor

306 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 98 U.S. States Visited: 45

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

29 Published Articles 3062 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 45 U.S. States Visited: 28

Why Purchase Travel Insurance

Why purchase travel insurance from img, travel insurance and covid-19, types of policies offered by img, how to get a quote, the value of travel insurance comparison websites, to credit card travel insurance, to other travel insurance companies, to point-of-sale coverage, how to file a claim with img, everything else you need to know, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

It’s been especially important to protect our travel investments recently. You’ve likely had to cancel at least 1 trip in the past couple of years, and there’s still the uncertainty of whether future trips could face the same fate.

As a result, seeking out travel insurance that’s both affordable and provides the right combination of coverage has become an essential element of the trip-planning process versus a mere afterthought.

When it comes to purchasing travel insurance , it can be difficult to know where to start. Whether you conveniently buy the coverage offered when you purchase your trip, compare travel insurance companies and policies in-depth, or rely on your credit card with travel insurance , having as much information as possible can be helpful in making a decision on travel insurance.

Today we’re going to focus on 1 specific travel insurance company, International Medical Group, Inc. (known as IMG or IMGlobal). We’re also going to talk briefly about travel insurance in general, give you some tips on finding the best travel insurance value, and provide some direction when faced with the decision of whether you need to purchase coverage.

We’ll get to our review of IMG in short order, but let’s start by briefly discussing why you’d want to consider purchasing travel insurance.

Travel insurance provides protection for economic loss should unexpected covered events occur prior to and during your travels. The more money you have at risk, the greater the need to consider travel insurance.

If you’re simply purchasing a domestic flight and hotel for a weekend away, you may not need to purchase travel insurance.

However, if your trip includes a lot of non-refundable expenses or your itinerary is complex (increasing the chances that something could go wrong), you’ll want to be fully protected.

In addition, if your trip includes potentially dangerous sports activities , you’re visiting remote locations, or if you will not have medical insurance during your travels, you’ll also want to strongly consider travel insurance.

Here are some sample situations where travel insurance could provide protection:

• You’re on safari, become seriously ill, and need to be evacuated to the nearest hospital.
• There is severe weather, your flights are canceled and you must stay at a hotel overnight before continuing your trip.
• An immediate family member passes away causing you to cancel your trip.
• You’re skiing, fall, and break your leg.
• There is a flood, your home becomes uninhabitable, and you must cancel your trip.

Bottom Line: If your trip is expensive, has a complex itinerary, you’re visiting a remote location, or you need medical coverage during your travels, you should consider a comprehensive travel insurance policy.

There are a lot of companies from which to select when purchasing travel insurance. The bottom line, however, is whether the company is financially sound, can pay its claims, offers a policy that is affordable, and has coverage matching your needs.

IMG checks all those boxes as a leading provider of international health insurance, travel medical insurance , and comprehensive travel insurance. The company’s parent company, SiriusPoint America Insurance Company, is rated A- (Excellent) by prominent insurance financial rating company A.M. Best . Additionally, IMG has been around for over 25 years, so you know you’re dealing with an established company.

IMG has also been accredited by the Better Business Bureau since 2005 and has an A- rating. The company has had 59 complaints in the past 3 years, the majority of which were concerns with products/services typical of other insurance company complaints, including claims processing.

Whether IMG has the exact policy that matches your needs and is affordable for you requires more research. We’ll be digging deeper into examples of its policies and pricing later in this article.

First, however, let’s talk about COVID-19 and how IMG may provide related coverage.

In the light of the pandemic, we’ve all become more aware of the need for travel insurance. Perhaps you’ve had to cancel a trip due to the fear of getting ill while traveling, or borders were shut down, making it impossible to travel to your destination.

Unfortunately, travel insurance does not cover these situations unless you have purchased Cancel for Any Reason insurance . This add-on to your travel insurance policy offers protection when you feel the need to cancel for any reason . The coverage can be expensive and only 50% to 75% of your trip expenditure will be covered.

Many travel insurance companies include coverage for COVID-19 for medical coverage, trip cancellation, trip interruption, and trip delay. Some companies exclude COVID-19.

IMG treats COVID-19 as any other illness on the company’s iTravelInsured travel protection plans. It also offers a Cancel for Any Reason insurance add-on, depending on the policy you select. IMG may exclude coverage from some of its medical plans if your destination is designated as having a Level 3 warning by the Department of State (DOS) or the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

Bottom Line: Travel insurance does not cover voluntary trip cancellations due to fear of getting ill or cancellations for borders that have been shut down due to COVID-19. You would need to purchase Cancel for Any Reason insurance to have coverage. IMG offers this add-on option with some of its plans. 

IMG offers 25 different insurance plans, ranging from basic travel medical insurance, comprehensive travel insurance, cruise and sports coverage, international medical insurance, and more.

The company is known for its international medical insurance offerings , including plans for visitors to the U.S. (including non-U.S. citizens, students, and exchange visitors). U.S. citizens traveling abroad will find several comprehensive travel insurance plans that include medical coverage or plans that have strong medical coverage with ancillary travel insurance.

The company also offers insurance that complies with Schengen visa requirements, specialized plans for government service workers, for marine captains/crew, and for those doing mission work.

Let’s look at a comparison snapshot of a few of the most popular plans offered by IMG and some of the coverage combinations you can expect to find.

This is just an overview of the core coverage offered by 3 of IMG’s travel insurance plans. Descriptions are abbreviated and are meant for comparison only.

Bottom Line: IMG offers a large variety of plans that allow you to select the type and level of coverage you prefer. In addition to comprehensive travel insurance plans, the company offers travel medical plans for visitors to the U.S. and plans for U.S. citizens when traveling both internationally and in the U.S.

Obtaining a quote from IMG for your trip is simple. You’ll need to provide your age, where you reside, and your primary trip destination. You’ll also need to provide the dates of your trip and the total cost of your trip.

Once you hit submit, you’ll receive an instant quote for several different plan options. You can compare coverages, pricing, and then select the plan that fits what you’re looking for.

You can then purchase the plan and coverage will start on the date you selected.

You will have 10 days to review the plan. If you’re not satisfied, you will receive a full refund.

Bottom Line: You can receive an instant quote on the IMG website by providing minimal information. You can also immediately purchase the policy and be covered for the date you selected. 

Chances are we wouldn’t purchase a new vehicle without shopping around to find the best value. Fortunately, comparing travel insurance policies to find the best value requires a lot less effort.

Travel insurance comparison websites simplify the process making it easy to compare dozens of companies and hundreds of policies, all in a few minutes.

You’ll need to input your trip and traveler information including where you reside, the cost and dates of the trip, whether you want an annual multi-trip policy, and the date you wish coverage to begin.

Also, all of these comparison sites offer click-through links to COVID-19 coverage information for each featured company.

Here are some of the best travel insurance comparison websites to get you started:

• Squaremouth — Squaremouth compares a wide variety of policies, including annual plans that cover every trip you take within a 1-year period, medical travel insurance, single-trip coverage, and plans that cover sports/special activities.
• Insure My Trip — Insure My Trip is a good source for comparing comprehensive single- or multi-trip plans that include medical coverage.
• TravelInsurance.com — While the site does not compare medical-only plans, it offers comparisons of comprehensive travel insurance plans.
• AARDY.com — We like AARDY as it does a great job of comparing dozens of highly rated travel insurance companies. We don’t like having to provide our email in order to obtain a quote, however.

Bottom Line: Travel insurance comparison websites help you compare the best companies and policy options in a minimal amount of time. You can also purchase the policy after your search and receive immediate coverage. 

How IMG Compares

Let’s look now at how IMG compares to the complimentary travel insurance coverage on your credit cards, to other travel insurance companies, and to the point-of-sale travel insurance offerings you might find when purchasing flights or travel packages.

Here’s how IMG compares:

If your trip is simply a flight and a short hotel stay, the travel insurance that comes with your credit card could provide you with all the coverage you need.

Once your trip becomes more complex, or more expensive, the need for travel insurance becomes greater. In either of these situations, or if you need medical coverage for your trip, the coverage that comes on your credit card will not be sufficient.

One important element is that most of the coverage provided on your credit card is secondary , meaning you must file a claim with other insurance first. You could potentially have to deal with the travel provider, the credit card company, any other insurance that may cover the loss, and the claims administrator.

Having a comprehensive travel insurance policy, like those sold by IMG, could simplify the process, especially for a complex trip involving several providers.

To learn more about the best credit cards for travel insurance , we invite you to check out our informative article.

Bottom Line: The travel insurance that comes complimentary on your credit card may be sufficient enough to cover a simple trip, perhaps just consisting of a flight and hotel. Expensive, more complex trips, or those requiring medical coverage, will be better served by purchasing a comprehensive travel insurance policy. 

Using a travel comparison website like the ones mentioned previously allows you to compare companies and policies quickly .

While plans and prices will vary widely depending on your trip and personal criteria, we created a quote based on a single-trip, 1 week in length, involving a traveler 40 years of age, with a total trip cost of $2,000.

The above quote does include CFAR insurance. But even without it, IMG came out higher than most competitors. Policy coverage was identical in most cases but IMG did offer $1,000,000 evacuation coverage, $10,000 in search-and-rescue coverage, and coverage for rented sporting equipment.

When we look at travel medical coverage plans, IMG becomes more competitive (using our limited example). You will find some travel insurance coverages are also provided, making this option a consideration if you’re looking for a medical-specific plan.

Your criteria could change the comparisons entirely. That’s why a travel insurance comparison website is an essential tool when seeking out the best value in travel insurance.

Bottom Line: While our limited comparisons showed IMG plans as being higher than the competitors, this may not be the case for your specific trip and policy preferences. Plans that focused on medical coverage tended to be more competitive. Always compare options to find the best value for you. 

The coverage options provided at checkout when you purchase a flight, vacation package, or other travel, can be limited. Additionally, the coverage is focused on cancellation and interruption coverage and only for the specific reasons listed.

To illustrate how IMG would stack up against point-of-sale coverage, we looked at the coverage and cost of insuring the same flight as the point-of-sale coverage above. For just a few dollars more, with IMG you would have emergency medical and evacuation coverage, and trip delay coverage. The point-of-sale plan covers just trip cancellation/interruption for up to 100% of the trip cost.

Bottom Line: In our limited example, even a budget policy purchased from IMG offers more coverage than a point-of-sale policy of a similar price. Always compare prior to purchasing, as rates will vary based on trip criteria. 

If you need medical treatment during your travels, in many cases IMG can work directly with the medical provider. But if you also need to file a medical claim, the best way to get started is to complete the online claim form .

As the filing of a claim for a baggage delay can be quite different than filing a medical claim, and the documentation required will certainly differ, you’ll want to begin by using a claim form designed for your specific type of loss.

You can select the associated form on the company’s claim center website . Each individual claim form lists the unique required documentation you will need to submit for that type of claim.

You can also contact the company by calling 866-243-7524, 317- 655-4500, or 317-655-9796. On each claim form, there is also an address, phone number, fax number, and email that may differ depending on the type of claim.

Be aware that there are deadlines for reporting claims and submitting all of the required documentation and these timeframes can differ depending on the type of claim.

Bottom Line: The best way to submit a claim is by completing the online claim form specific to the type of claim, which is available on the company’s claim center website. On the claim form you will find the associated phone number, address, email address, and fax number to help facilitate your claim should you need this additional information. 

Be aware that some of the plans IMG offers may provide secondary coverage versus primary coverage. This means that you must first file a claim with any other insurance that may apply.

You can feel comfortable purchasing a policy from IMG as you’ll have 10 days from the date of purchase to review the plan and get a full refund if you’re not satisfied.

We were able to obtain a quote for travelers up to and including age 99. Coverage levels and pricing vary by age.

While we have focused on individual travel and medical insurance in this article, IMG does have an Enterprise division that provides services to corporations and other organizations.

IMG is a good choice as a travel insurance company due to its financial stability and the fact it has been in business so long. However, you’ll need to compare plans and pricing with competitors to make sure the company provides the best value for you personally when purchasing a comprehensive travel insurance plan.

If you’re looking at insuring a single trip of short duration, the company can provide solid value over point-of-sale policies by delivering more coverage for similar economic outlay.

Additionally, the company’s travel medical insurance plans with primary coverage could provide you with solid medical coverage during your travels for minimal cost.

For more information on the basics of purchasing travel insurance , the best travel insurance companies , and how travel insurance works with COVID-19, visit our additional articles on these topics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is img a good travel insurance company.

Yes. IMG is an established company backed by highly rated companies. The company is accredited by the Better Business Bureau with an A- rating.

Does IMG sell Cancel for Any Reason Insurance?

Yes. Cancel for Any Reason insurance is available as an add-on to some of the plans offered by IMG. However, just like other travel insurance providers, there’s a limited window of time to purchase the coverage. There are also limits on the percentage of trip costs that are covered.

What is IMG visitors insurance?

IMG offers several levels of medical plans for visitors to the U.S. These plans can cover students and visitors traveling on J-1 and J-2 visas, including non-U.S. citizens.

How can I contact IMG?

You can reach IMG by calling 866-243-7524, 317- 655-4500, or 317-655-9796. If you are out of the U.S., you can call collect.

You can also reach the company via email at [email protected] or by mail at International Medical Group, Inc., P.O. Box 88500, Indianapolis, IN, 46208.

Does IMG cover COVID-19?

IMG treats COVID-19 the same way it treats any other illness on many coverages including medical, trip interruption, trip cancellation, and trip delay.

You may also have the option to purchase Cancel for Any Reason insurance on some of its plans.

Be sure to check the specific policy prior to purchasing for related COVID-19 coverage.

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About Christine Krzyszton

Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.

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