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IMG Travel Insurance: Is It Worth the Cost?

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Table of Contents

What is IMG travel insurance?

What does img travel insurance cover, img travel insurance policy overview, what’s not covered by an img travel insurance plan, how img travel insurance compares with its competitors, how much is img travel insurance, how to buy an img travel insurance policy, which img travel insurance plan is best for me, does img travel insurance offer 24/7 travel assistance, how to file a claim with img travel insurance, is img travel insurance worth it, img travel insurance recapped, star rating methodology.

• Annual or single-trip policies are available.
• Coverage available for adventure travelers.
• Offers direct billing.
• Claim approval can be lengthy.

IMG travel insurance isn’t cheap. In fact, according to a recent NerdWallet analysis, IMG’s coverage is the most expensive among competitors. However, IMG offers so many different plans — for all types of travelers — that paying the extra cost may be worth it to have a policy that suits your needs.

Why trust NerdWallet?

Our Nerdy editorial team aims to be a starting point in your travel insurance research. We default toward transparency and follow a comprehensive methodology for rating and reviewing travel insurance companies. Advertisers and advertising relationships do not influence our ratings. Learn more about our strict editorial guidelines .

IMG is headquartered in the U.S. and offers global travel insurance coverage. IMG has over 60 plans, so there’s almost no situation where an IMG policy won’t offer coverage.

Started in 1990, IMG’s travel insurance policies are underwritten by SiriusPoint and Crum & Forster. SiriusPoint has an A- Financial Strength Rating (FSR) from insurance rating firm AM Best, while Crum & Forster has an A rating.

IMG’s travel insurance coverage is broad, with options available for expats, crew members, missionaries, people who go on multiple trips per year, those who like adventure sports and travelers who want a policy for a single trip.

While your exact coverage options depend on the plan, you can expect to have IMG travel insurance medical coverage in nearly all cases. Here are some common coverage types in IMG’s plans.

IMG health insurance coverage : Depending on the plan, this can cover emergency issues arising during a trip or it can act as regular medical insurance. 

Trip interruption and trip cancellation : Can pay for nonrefundable costs incurred as a result of a trip being canceled or interrupted for a covered reason. 

Emergency evacuation : Can pay for the cost of evacuating you, either for a medical or nonmedical reason. 

Baggage insurance : If luggage is lost or delayed, this will reimburse you for the cost of replacing the items.

Several of IMG’s plans are oriented toward travel medical coverage rather than trip protections, which means you'll miss out on many of the benefits outlined above. However, the plans can be considerably cheaper than other options, so they may be a good fit if you’re looking to save money but still have medical coverage.

While IMG offers over 60 plans to travelers, most cater to specific groups of people.

Here we’ve included all six of IMG’s policies for those looking for travel medical and trip protections.

Long- term travel insurance

IMG also offers long-term travel medical options for those who travel often or who are away for longer than six months.

IMG offers two annual plans:

Patriot Multi-Trip International is a plan for U.S. citizens who take multiple trips annually outside the U.S.

Patriot Multi-Trip America is a plan for people who aren't U.S. citizens and who take multiple trips annually outside of their country of residence.

» Learn more: How does annual travel insurance work

Add-on options

Depending on the plans, you’ll have a variety of choices for add-ons. For example, Patriot plans allow you to add device protection, telehealth services and coverage for adventure sports .

The high-end iTravelInsured Travel LX plan also offers the ability to add Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance .

Don’t want to shell out for travel insurance? A variety of travel credit cards offer complimentary trip insurance assuming you pay for the trip with your card.

The coverage you’ll receive with an IMG policy depends on the plan. For example, iTravelInsured Travel LX comes with rental car insurance , while the iTravelInsured Travel Lite and iTravelInsured Travel SE plans don't.

Beyond policy-specific differences, you can expect IMG coverage to exclude events like:

Severe storms (after they’ve been named).

Participation in amateur or professional sporting competitions.

Activities conducted under the influence of alcohol or drugs. 

On a 5-star scale, NerdWallet rated IMG 3.5 stars. Jump to see our methodology.

A sample trip for a 36-year-old traveler from Indiana to Canada for five days found that the cheapest IMG plan cost $183. If you were to spring for the premium plan, which increases coverage limits, expect to pay $252.

When looking across multiple providers, the same sample trip ranges in cost from $10-$202. Note that price isn't the only differentiating factor. Coverage isn't identical across plans; each company offers various levels of scope, limits and exclusions.

How much does IMG travel insurance cost? To get a sense of what you can expect to pay for an IMG travel insurance policy, we generated a sample quote. In this example, a 27-year-old man from Wisconsin was traveling to Vietnam for 11 days.

His total trip cost was $2,200. (For the Patriot International Lite and Patriot International Platinum plans, we selected policy maximums of $100,000 and $2 million, respectively.)

As you can see, the spread of IMG travel insurance cost is pretty significant between the least expensive plan and the most expensive. On the high end, you can expect additional benefits such as rental car insurance.

If you’d like to purchase an IMG travel insurance policy, it’s easy to do so online. To begin, head to IMG’s website , where you’ll be prompted to generate a quote.

The information you’ll need to provide includes:

Dates of travel.

Destination.

State of residence.

Country of citizenship.

After you’ve input the information, IMG will present the plans for which you’re eligible. Then, you can select the one that fits what you’re looking for and complete the checkout process online.

Consider comparison shopping

If you're not 100% sold on purchasing a plan from IMG, you can use a travel insurance aggregator to compare policies across multiple companies at once.

IMG has a huge variety of plans for travelers, whether you’re a full-time digital nomad or you’re looking to take your first trip abroad. Picking the plan that suits your needs depends on the type of trip.

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.

For instance, are you going skiing? Then, you might want to purchase a policy that allows sports activities. Do you have expensive items in your luggage? You may want to opt for a plan with a higher limit for lost items.

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 yearlong 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.

Many travel credit cards offer travel insurance, though coverage levels vary. To qualify for this complimentary insurance, you’ll need to pay for your trip using your eligible card.

Depending on your card, you may already have trip interruption insurance, baggage delay reimbursement and emergency medical insurance.

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

IMG’s plans offer 24/7 travel assistance, which can help you in many situations. This can include medical issues, lost passports and other problems that crop up during travel.

You can also choose to call IMG:

IMG plans : 317-655-4500.

iTravelInsured plans : 317-655-9796.

IMG also offers direct billing with some providers. This allows you to skip paying out of pocket; instead, the facility will bill your insurance directly. Use the company's Provider Search Tool to find eligible in-network care for direct billing.

To file a claim with IMG, your best bet is to submit a claim online. To do so, you’ll need to create an account on IMG’s website.

From there:

In the MyIMG portal, select “Claims.”

Select “My Claims” from the drop-down menu.

Select the applicable policy.

Select “Submit New Claim.”

Follow the online prompts.

Is IMG travel insurance good?

Because it offers many plan options to travelers, IMG can ensure that you’re covered in nearly all situations. However, it’s also expensive, which means you’ll want to do the math to ensure a policy makes sense for you.

Before purchasing a plan, check out any credit cards that you have. Many travel credit cards offer complimentary travel insurance to cardholders. This can help you save money while still offering peace of mind.

If your flight is canceled and results in an interruption or delay, your IMG plan may cover you. Check your policy documents to be sure.

IMG refunds for claims can take months, so it’s important to submit all documentation to ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible.

IMG’s travel insurance can either be primary or secondary depending on the plan you purchase.

Yes, IMG travel insurance covers COVID.

IMG offers single-trip and long-term travel insurance options. Some plans allow for add-ons like device protection and coverage for adventure sports. However, it's important to note that certain exclusions apply, such as epidemics and severe storms. Before purchasing, consider checking to see if your credit card offers complimentary travel insurance.

Travel insurance

NerdWallet's ratings for travel insurance companies take into account the following details about each insurer:

Scope of coverage.

Customizability.

Consumer experience and complaints.

The best travel insurers excel in all of these categories. They provide the information people need to make a purchase without any surprises along the way. They offer insurance at a fair price and allow customers to customize plans to meet their coverage preferences. They're also able to keep their customers happy throughout the relationship.

Data collection and review process

NerdWallet collects over a dozen data points for each insurer we analyze from their public-facing websites and third-party analyses. These data points are then compared against one another and against NerdWallet's standards for good travel insurance companies to determine a star rating.

Data is collected on a regular basis and reviewed by our editorial team for consistency and accuracy. Final star ratings are presented on a scale of one to five stars, where a one-star score represents "poor" and a five-star score represents "excellent."

The reviews team

The writers and editors behind NerdWallet's travel insurance reviews are insurance specialists who have had their work featured by or appear in The Associated Press, The Washington Post, The New York Times, the Chicago-Sun Times, U.S. News & World Report and the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet’s strict guidelines for editorial independence .

In addition to travel insurance, the team covers travel rewards programs, airlines and hotels.

Rating specifics

Our star ratings are weighted based on our editorial and professional opinions. We use the following weightings when rating travel insurers:

Scope of coverage (25%).

Customizability (25%).

Consumer experience and complaints (25%).

Cost (25%).

Scope of coverage ratings are based on assessments of a company’s standard protections, including:

Travel medical insurance.

Trip cancellation.

Trip interruption.

Trip delay.

Baggage and personal belongings, lost luggage.

Emergency medical assistance.

Emergency medical evacuation.

Emergency medical repatriation.

Accidental death and dismemberment insurance.

Rental car coverage.

Customizability ratings factor in whether coverage limits are fixed prices or a percentage of the trip cost (the percentage is generally better), whether a policy has customizations available, and the number of bonus features.

24-hour assistance.

Pre-existing medical conditions coverage.

Extreme sport coverage.

CFAR add on availability.

Travel health insurance.

Interruption for Any Reason.

Travel Inconvenience.

Cancel for Work Reasons.

Electronics coverage.

Consumer experience ratings are based on provider reviews on Squaremouth.com. If the company is not in the Squaremouth database, we default to Google reviews.

Affordability ratings are based on the percentage of total trip cost a plan costs a policyholder. Less than 4% is considered excellent, whereas over 9% is considered poor.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

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

No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ 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.

When you use links on our website, we may earn a fee.

IMG Travel Insurance

Learn about travel insurance plans from IMG and all they have to offer.

Optional CFAR and IFAR upgrades available with top-tier plans

Coverage for preexisting medical conditions (terms apply)

Broad selection of plans to choose from

High limits for medical-only travel insurance coverage

No annual comprehensive plans available

Low limits for baggage delays

What IMG Travel Insurance Is Known For

IMG (International Medical Group, Inc.) offers travel insurance plans that can work in a variety of circumstances, whether you need travel medical coverage only or you're in the market for comprehensive travel insurance coverage. The company also offers international health insurance for expats and global citizens living or working internationally, as well as temporary medical coverage for seniors ages 65 and older who are traveling outside the United States.

The company's travel medical-only plans, called the Patriot Travel Series, are for international travelers who need high limits for medical coverage and emergency medical evacuation, with a few other benefits like lost luggage protection thrown in. The maximum limit for these plans can be as high as $1 million or $8 million, although coinsurance and deductibles as high as $25,000 can apply. However, travel medical coverage from IMG can pay for inpatient and outpatient care, ambulance services, dental treatments and more when you're traveling overseas and your U.S. health insurance policy won't apply. IMG also offers a medical-only plan called Patriot America Plus, which covers some U.S. health insurance expenses for international visitors to the U.S.

Where IMG really shines is in its comprehensive travel insurance plans offered through the iTravelInsured Travel Series. These plans can work for all kinds of trips and vacations, and they are offered in three different tiers: the basic iTravelInsured Lite, the mid-tier iTravelInsured SE and the luxury iTravelInsured LX.

Comprehensive travel insurance from IMG stands out in a few different areas, including the availability of cancel for any reason (CFAR) and interruption for any reason (IFAR) coverage with its premium plan. These plans also come with high limits for emergency medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation, plus coverage for trip delays, lost or delayed baggage, baggage delays, and even some pet-related travel expenses. Of course, travel insurance plans in the iTravelInsured Travel Series also include coverage for trip cancellations and interruptions that are beyond a traveler's control.

IMG Travel Insurance for Individual Trips

Most consumers planning an individual trip will need comprehensive travel insurance coverage – thus they should consider the iTravelInsured Travel Series from this provider. These plans offer three levels of coverage that can work for your needs and the type of trip you're taking. Details on what is included with each plan and available policy limits are outlined in the chart below.

iTravelInsured Lite

As you can see in the chart above, the iTravelInsured Lite plan offers bare minimum coverage for individual trips with minimal additional benefits outside of trip cancellation and interruption coverage and protection for emergency medical events. However, this plan does offer up to $100,000 in coverage for medical expenses, up to $500,000 for emergency medical evacuation, and basic coverage for unexpected issues like trip delays and baggage delays. Note that this plan does not let you purchase a preexisting conditions waiver, nor does it offer rental car coverage or let you add optional CFAR or IFAR coverage.

iTravelInsured SE

This mid-tier plan from IMG offers higher limits for emergency medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation, as well as trip delays, baggage delays, lost luggage and personal effects, and trip cancellation and interruption coverage. Up to $40,000 in rental car coverage comes with this plan, and coverage for pet kennels and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) kicks in at this level. Coverage for preexisting medical conditions is also available for this plan if purchased within 20 days of making an initial trip deposit.

iTravelInsured LX

The iTravelInsured LX plan from IMG offers the most robust coverage overall with the highest limits for emergency medical expenses (up to $500,000 per person) and up to $1 million in coverage for emergency medical evacuation. All other coverages with this plan also feature higher policy limits, and individuals can get coverage for preexisting medical conditions if they purchase insurance within 24 hours of making a final trip payment. Also note that this is the only plan from IMG that offers optional CFAR and IFAR coverage options that reimburse 75% of prepaid trip expenses.

IMG Travel Insurance Costs

Costs for travel insurance from this provider range from affordable to higher than average based on the plan you choose. Premiums can also vary based on the trip cost, the number of travelers in a group, the ages of travelers, how long the trip will last and other factors. We received quotes for several sample trips from IMG to help you get an idea of what you'll pay for comprehensive travel insurance.

IMG Travel Insurance has been accredited with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) since 2005, and the company has a B rating on the platform. The 50-some customer reviews on the BBB website have an average star rating of just 1 out of 5 stars.

IMG has much better ratings on third-party sites like Trustpilot, where it has an average star rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars across more than 11,000 customer reviews. The company also ranks high on the Squaremouth platform, where it has an average star rating of 4.23 out of 5 stars for around 2,000 reviews.

Since reading customer reviews helps gauge the way a company operates and pays claims, we compiled example reviews for IMG Travel Insurance below.

Good Customer Service

I have used your service in the past and the customer service was great. Even with a challenging situation I had in a foreign country, I was able to figure everything out with the IMG customer service. – Daniel via Trustpilot

Easy to compare and buy

It is so easy to buy and easy to compare plans. We buy travel medical insurance every year. Thankfully we've never had to use it but I appreciate the peace of mind. The prices are reasonable and the purchase process is easy. I definitely recommend this service. – KLeci via Trustpilot

Policy: iTravelInsured Travel SE

I filled a claim and have yet to hear back. I provided legal documents and have not been asked to provide anything else. The directions said it could take up to 10 business days to hear back, but it has been over that time frame. Customer service through the chat feature was awful. One associate simply ended the chat for no reason and without telling me. I spoke with someone over the phone and she was very nice and tried to help. She told me it may take more than 10 days if they are behind, but that it looks like no further info was being requested from me and I just needed to wait for the approval. I understand this can take time, but more communication would have been appreciated. It would also be helpful to have a more accurate time frame. – Tara via Squaremouth

Had to cancel my trip due to surgery. The insurance I purchased was useless and a waste of money. The claim assistance from Squaremouth was just as terrible. Their so-called Zero Complaint department was completely useless. They supported the insurance company, not me, their customer. I had purchased all of my travel insurance from them before but after this horrible experience, I will never buy anything from either company again. – Ralph via Squaremouth

Worst insurance ever!

I'm giving one star for at least sending an insurance card, everything after that was downhill. I bought IMG patriot international insurance for my father and MIL, in both cases it was basically a waste of my time and money. We were first given generic replies, and after submitting all the documents, we were literally ghosted. They classify even a cough/cold as a preexisting condition (even though I bought insurance with 1 visit for preexisting condition included). It's better not to have any travel insurance (if that's legal), than buy this! They charge you premium rates, give you crap replies and then ghost you. I made the mistake of thinking if it is expensive, then it must be good, I could not have been more wrong. – Swathi at Trustpilot

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is a travel writer who covers topics like travel insurance, family travel, all-inclusive resorts and cruises. She has researched travel insurance options for her own vacations and family trips to more than 50 countries around the world and has experience navigating the claims and reimbursement process. Johnson works alongside her husband, Greg, who sells travel insurance through their travel agency Travel Blue Book .

Read more about IMG Travel Insurance in:

• The Cheapest Travel Insurance
• The Best Travel Insurance for Seniors and Retirees
• The Best COVID-19 Travel Insurance
• The Best Travel Insurance for Expats

U.S. News 360 Reviews takes an unbiased approach to our recommendations. When you use our links to buy products, we may earn a commission but that in no way affects our editorial independence.

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Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market.  See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our  credit card rating methodology .

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

Christine Krzyszton

Senior Finance Contributor

322 Published Articles

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

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

41 Published Articles 3357 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 50 U.S. States Visited: 28

Table of Contents

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, how img compares, 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. 

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:

To Credit Card Travel Insurance

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. 

To Other Travel Insurance Companies

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. 

To Point-of-Sale Coverage

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.

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Get a quote today., img travel insurance: plans, costs, reputation, and services.

IMG specializes in providing travel medical insurance to individuals, families, and groups who are traveling, studying abroad, or even living abroad.

Its customer service is multilingual and available 24/7.

It has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and offers the ability to insure as an individual, family, group, or all three, helping you to minimize coverage gaps.

IMG Travel Insurance Coverage & Plans

Though IMG has three coverage selections for trip insurance, it really shines when it comes to travel medical insurance.

IMG offers medical coverage for vacations or other trips as well as international health insurance.

The company is a great option to consider for groups, students, or others who will be working or studying abroad for extended periods of time.

Available Plans:

• Comprehensive
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption
• Accidental Death

Travel Insurance Plans

IMG’s iTravelInsured product line has three different policy options covering a number of potential financial losses including trip cancellation, baggage delay, and emergency medical evacuation.

These plans cover you throughout your entire trip, and some even provide Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) benefits.

iTravelInsured Travel Lite Insurance

• As IMG’s lowest-priced travel insurance program, the iTravelInsured Travel Lite insurance plan is designed for people who want to protect themselves against trip cancellations or trip interruptions.
• It also provides coverage for travel and baggage delay, as well as access to IMG’s non-insurance emergency travel assistance.

iTravelInsured Travel SE Insurance

• The Travel SE plan is IMG’s most popular travel insurance plan for both domestic and international destinations.
• This plan includes coverage for extra expenses your family could incur due to travel delays such as movie rentals, internet usage fees, and additional kennel fees for pets.

iTravelInsured Travel LX Insurance

• For travelers willing to pay a little extra for peace of mind, IMG’s Travel LX plan provides the highest level of benefits, including Cancel for Any Reason and Interruption for Any Reason coverage.
• This plan is a good choice for those considering adventurous activities or those planning a trip to remote or exotic locations.

Medical Insurance Plans

IMG offers a variety of medical insurance plans that cover visits to doctors, hospitals, or other licensed providers , including dentists.

In the event of a severe health issue, you may need emergency medical coverage to insure things such as evacuation and repatriation.

Medical coverage is even available for those with preexisting conditions, and there is no age limit for coverage.

Patriot Travel Medical Insurance

• IMG’s most popular plan, it provides coverage for individuals, families, and groups who need temporary medical insurance while traveling for business or pleasure anywhere outside of their home country.

Patriot America Plus

• This plan is for non-U.S. residents who need temporary medical coverage when traveling to the United States for a minimum of five days.
• There are a wide variety of plan limits and deductible options.

Patriot Exchange Program

• As its name indicates, this plan is specifically designed for students or groups studying abroad.
• IMG states that most plan options are designed to meet the U.S. J1 and J2 visa travel insurance requirements.

Visitors Care

• This plan for non-U.S. citizens offers a selection of scheduled benefits for those traveling or temporarily living outside their home country for at least five days.
• It can be renewed for up to 24 months.

Patriot Platinum Travel Medical Insurance

• This IMG medical travel insurance plan provides maximum coverage for short-term trips and vacations.
• It allows you to choose from an extensive range of deductibles and maximum limits and includes exclusive access to IMG’s Global Concierge and Assistance Services.

Global Mission Medical Insurance

• Global Mission medical insurance from IMG is a long-term plan that can be renewed each year and provides worldwide medical insurance coverage specifically for missionaries.

Student Health Advantage

• This plan is for individual or groups of five or more students participating in sponsored, study abroad programs who need a comprehensive plan that can be renewed yearly.
• IMG claims that this plan meets student visa requirements and includes benefits for maternity, mental health, organized sports, and international emergency care.

Outreach Travel Mission Advantage

• This plan is specifically designed for U.S. citizens and non-U.S. nationals who need short-term medical insurance while traveling for international outreach anywhere outside of their home country.

GlobeHopper Senior Travel Medical Insurance

• This plan is for U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents over the age of 65 and who need temporary medical insurance for trips outside the United States.
• It has both single-trip and multi-trip coverage options.

Student Health Advantage Platinum

• This plan is for individuals and groups of five or more students or scholars that participate in sponsored study abroad programs and who need an annually-renewable plan.
• It meets student visa requirements and includes maternity, mental health, organized sports, and international emergency care benefits.

Patriot Multi-Trip

• For those who take multiple trips abroad each year, the Patriot Multi-Trip plan could be a cost-effective option.
• Coverage choices are available for both U.S. citizens and non-citizens.

IMG Travel Insurance Costs

Though it can be challenging when you are tallying up expenses for your upcoming vacation, it’s wise to plan for the cost of travel insurance.

When programming your trip, you should budget between four to eight percent of the total cost of the trip for travel insurance.

The price is generally based on three factors: the length of the trip, the destination, and the age of the policyholder.

In general, longer trips cost more than shorter ones, international destinations are more expensive to cover than domestic ones, and older policyholders will usually pay more than younger ones.

IMG also offers annual or renewable plans for frequent travelers and, for most plans, dependents under the age of 18 are covered along with their parents.

Check out the IMG website for a quote based on your specific details.

If for some reason you don’t wind up needing IMG’s travel insurance, you may submit a cancellation request and receive a full refund within ten days of the effective date of your coverage.

IMG Travel Insurance Reviews & Reputation

When it comes to IMG travel insurance’s reputation, reviews are somewhat mixed.

While IMG has earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), customer reviews on the BBB website average less than two out of five stars.

However, IMG has been accredited by the BBB since 2005, and only has 15 customer complaints lodged against it within the past three years. Most of the complaints are categorized as billing issues.

Trustpilot gives IMG three out of five stars, which is an average score.

As is typical for insurance companies, many of the negative reviews come from customers who had billing or coverage disputes.

Customer Assistance Services

IMG prides itself on its 24/7 customer service and multilingual staff.

The IMG website lets you browse through policy options so you can choose what plan works best for you, your family, or your group.

The website also lets you build an instant quote, compare policies, and buy your choice of packages online.

IMG’s online support service, MyIMGSM, provides online access to local providers, explanation of benefits, claims status, ID cards, and certificate documents.

There is a paperless submission option for claims, though faxing or mailing is also permitted.

IMG also offers a convenient mobile app.

IMG Travel Insurance Financial Stability

When you decide to purchase insurance, you want to know the company is reliable.

To that end, IMG has the financial stability of an established international insurance company, providing peace of mind for the consumer.

IMG is underwritten by Sirius International Insurance Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CM International Holding Pte. Ltd, which is rated A (excellent) by A.M. Best and A- by Standard & Poor’s.

These high ratings should make potential purchasers very comfortable.

IMG Travel Insurance Phone Number and Contact Information

Homepage URL : https://www.imglobal.com

Company Phone : 1-800-428-4664

Headquarters Address : 2960 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208-4715

Year Founded : 1989

Best Alternatives to IMG Travel Insurance

Not satisfied with what IMG has to offer? These companies provide great travel insurance alternatives:

Additional Providers

There are several other travel insurance providers that deserve consideration as well which you can see in our Best Travel Insurance Companies article.

These companies didn’t make our list of top providers but we have created some more detailed reviews  that you can view below:

• Allianz Travel Insurance Review
• Aon Travel Insurance Review
• Carnival Travel Insurance Review
• Chubb Travel Insurance Review
• CSA Travel Insurance Review
• Expedia Travel Insurance Review
• Hotwire Travel Insurance Review
• IMG Travel Insurance Review
• InsureMyTrip Travel Insurance Review
• JetBlue Travel Insurance Review
• John Hancock Travel Insurance Review
• Medjet Medical Transport Insurance Review
• Orbitz Travel Insurance Review
• Patriot Travel Insurance Review
• Priceline Travel Insurance Review
• Progressive Travel Insurance Review
• Red Sky Travel Insurance Review
• Ripcord Travel Insurance Review
• Travel Insured International
• Travelex Travel Insurance Review
• USAA Travel Insurance Review
• USI Affinity Travel Insurance Review 
• World Nomads Travel Insurance Review

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International Medical Group

IMG Global: Insurance Plans for Expats and Travelers

IMG Insurance has a broad array of offerings and a robust network of providers to support them. They have a large PPO (preferred provider organization) in the US as well as their IPA (international provider access) network of over 17,000 providers and facilities around the world. IMG services members in over 190 countries and has built a staff that can help you in an emergency 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Through their subsidiaries IMG Europe, Akeso Care Management, IMG-Stop Loss, and iTravelInsured, they provide around-the-clock medical management services, trip cancellation programs, stop-loss insurance to reduce employer risk, and an internationally based service center. They've set the benchmark for industry service levels by integrating independent credentialing services with in-house, wholly owned and operated service divisions.

Since 1990, International Medical Group Insurance (IMG) has risen to become one of the world's leading providers of global travel and medical insurance. Whether you are an individual traveler, an expatriate, a missionary, a student or scholar, a business or a maritime worker, IMG has a plan that will work for you. They can service your every travel need, whether you're looking for simple trip cancellation insurance or a medical plan that will follow you on a year-long trip around the globe.

Why Choose IMG?

Extensive provider network.

IMG has a large network of international providers as well as its robust PPO network within the United States.

24/7/365 Service

Staff are available every minute of the day, whenever you have an emergency. And if you want to file a claim, search for providers or manage your account, their web portal is always available.

A Plan for Every Need

Whether you're going abroad for a week or a year, for work or for pleasure, IMG has plans that are tailor-made for your needs.

Global Reach

With offices around the world and a staff that speaks 18 languages, IMG can help you wherever you are.

IMG Global Products

IMG Global has created international travel insurance plans, international health insurance plans and expat insurance as well as insurance for students and scholars , insurance for missionary groups and volunteer groups as well as people from many other walks of life. Here is an overview of IMG Insurance's most popular plans. Click on any plan to get more details.

IMG Global Medical Plan

IMG Global Medical Insurance provides anyone living and working outside of their home company with a reliable, full-featured medical plan that will cover them wherever they are in the world.

• Four plan options and additional optional coverages
• Choice of the coverage area to reflect your geographical area of need
• Freedom to choose your health care provider wherever you are in the world

IMG Patriot Platinum Travel Insurance

The IMG Patriot Plan provides first-class travel medical insurance for international trips with customized deductibles and maximum limits. Enjoy extra benefits like IMG's Global Concierge and Assistance Services and access to over 17,000 providers through their International Provider Access.

Patriot Platinum Travel Insurance

• Maximum limits up to $8,000,000
• IMG pays 100% of medical expenses in-network
• Evacuation due to Natural Disasters & Political Unrest

IMG Student Health Advantage Plan

If you are a student or scholar traveling abroad and looking for IMG international student insurance , then the Student Health Advantage plan is for you. This plan meets all US student, scholar, and cultural exchange visa requirements.

• Standard and Platinum level benefits available.
• Coverage for individuals and groups and their dependents.
• Freedom to seek treatment with hospital or doctor of your choice.

IMG Short-Term Student Health Insurance

IMG Patriot Exchange Program insurance is a streamlined and budget-friendly plan that provides medical coverage for students, families, and groups of two or more people while studying abroad. It also covers cultural exchange program participants. It is available for a minimum of 30 days and can be renewed up to a length of 48 continuous months. Most coverage options satisfy J1 and J2 visa requirements. The Patriot Exchange health insurance program provides effective coverage 24 hours a day while you are away from home.

IMG Multi-Trip Insurance

Patriot Multi-Trip  is designed for individuals and families who travel frequently outside their home country throughout the year. The plan offers the ease and convenience of purchasing an affordable single annual premium plan that provides coverage for trips up to 30 or 45 days in length for each trip taken during a period of 12 months. The plan provides up to $1,000,000 of medical coverage and services.

IMG Insurance for US Seniors

GlobeHopper Senior addresses the insurance needs of seniors who are U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents and need temporary medical insurance while traveling outside the USA. In addition to medical benefits, the plan includes coverage for emergency medical and political evacuation, repatriation, and a choice of deductibles and plan maximums up to $1,000,000.

See our comparison of Senior Travel Insurance Plans .

Group Options from IMG

IMG offers several group plans for employers, including several different travel and global medical insurance plans.

Global Benefits for Organizations

• Offering group plans for international health, life and travel
• Request a quote from the leading insurers around the globe
• A licensed agent will provide quotes and expert advice

Review your options - Group International Benefits

IMG Insurance for Europe

• Global Prima Medical Insurance from IMG is a comprehensive, annually renewable global medical plan for individuals and families living and working abroad. Designed specifically for the European market, it includes an option to purchase coverage in Europe only, so subscribers do not have to pay for coverage in areas of the world that they will not be going to. Request a free online quote now!
• GlobeHopper Platinum is a flexible travel medical plan designed for travel to and from European countries. Subscribers may purchase this plan for any length of time from 30 days to 36 months – and, so long as they are covered, they may extend until they reach the 36 month limit. The GlobeHopper Platinum plan is extremely flexible, offering three different coverage maximums and five coverage add-on options. Subscribers may pay in USD, GBP or Euro. Request a quote online here .

IMG is listed as a Top 10 Travel Insurance Company and one of the Best Health Insurance Companies .

International Medical Group Insurance Provider Network

IMG's extensive global network of doctors, facilities and care providers can provide you with exceptional medical treatment wherever you are in the world. The company provides easy-to-use tools that help subscribers quickly find the right healthcare provider to fit their needs.

IMG Global International Doctors Network (Outside of the USA)

IMG provides a helpful online database of providers for anyone outside of the USA who needs care and has purchased an IMG Travel Insurance Plan , an  IMG Global Medical Plan , or any other IMG insurance product. The International Provider Access database allows subscribers to search for medical, dental, and other care providers by facility, country, city, physician, and specialty worldwide. Note: U.S. providers are not included in this database.

Search IMG’s International Provider Access

IMG’s PPO Network in the USA

If you have purchased coverage within the United States, your plan gives you access to a preferred provider organization (PPO) network.  While you can see any doctor, using a provider within the PPO network is likely to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses. Your insurance card should include a logo that shows whether your plan uses the First Health PPO network or the UnitedHealthcare PPO network. To access a list of providers in that network, click on the link related to your network below.

The PPO directory is updated regularly but changes may be made between updates. Contact the physician’s office to confirm his/her participation in your PPO network.

You can narrow your provider results by providing more criteria, such as location and specialty. If you cannot find a provider in your city or country, please contact IMG’s Customer Service Department via their contact form here .

First Health : Search PPO

UnitedHealthcare : Search PPO

International Medical Group Insurance Services

International Medical Group (IMG) is your plan administrator for assistance and customer care. They offer a number of online tools to allow subscribers to complete routine tasks as well as phone and email points of contact for customer service.

My IMG Client Zone

Through My IMG  you have immediate access to a wealth of information about your account and can manage routine areas to help you save time when you may need it most. Some features include:

• Get explanation of benefits Initiate pre-certification
• Obtain certificate documents
• Locate a provider
• Recommend a provider/facility
• Request or print ID cards

Go to  MyIMG Client Zone

IMG Claims Processing

Log onto  My IMG SM to submit claims using their online claims form.

If you have an IMG Global plan, you may also use the following address to send any information to IMG's Claims department.

International Medical Group Claims Department PO Box 88500 Indianapolis, IN 46208-0500

If you have an IMG Europe plan, you may use the following contact information to send information to the IMG Europe claims department.

International Medical Group Claims Department Kingsgate, High Street, Redhill, Surrey RH1 1SH, United Kingdom

IMG Customer Service Contact Information

Postal Mail:

IMG Global International Medical Group (IMG) 2960 North Meridian Street Indianapolis, IN 46208

IMG Europe International Medical Group (IMG) Kingsgate, High Street, Redhill, Surrey RH1 1SH, United Kingdom

IMG Global C [email protected]

IMG Europe [email protected]

IMG Global Within the USA: 800-628-4664 Outside the USA: 317-655-4500 (call collect and indicate that you have a medical emergency)

IMG provides on-site, multi-lingual claims administrators and customer service representatives who process tens of thousands of claims each year. IMG also has international service and assistance centers around the world, so that when you call you can speak to someone in a nearby time zone.

+44 2920 474 236

International Medical Group FAQs

Is img insurance good.

IMG is a respected name in the international medical insurance industry, with products geared toward travelers, global citizens, and people living in a country not their own. They are one of our top-rated insurance companies and consistently place in the list of top international travel and best health insurance companies worldwide.

The company has been in operation since January 1990. with more than 30 years of serving the global community, IMG provides complete plan administration expertise. Its globally recognized underwriter, SiriusPoint, offers the financial security and reputation demanded by international consumers. Rated A- (Excellent) by A.M. Best and A- by Standard & Poor's*, SiriusPoint shares IMG's vision of the international marketplace and offers the stability of a well-established insurance company.

Who is the underwriter for IMG insurance plans?

IMG's globally recognized partner, Sirius Specialty Insurance Corporation (SSIC), offers the financial security and reputation demanded by international consumers. As the underwriter, Sirius is Rated A (Excellent) by A.M. Best and A- by Standard and Poor's, offering the stability of a well-established insurance company.

What are adventure sports for IMG insurance?

IMG offers optional add-on insurance to their patriot travel insurance plan that covers the following adventure sports, so long as they are being participated in at an amateur level: abseiling, BMX, bobsledding, bungee jumping, canyoning, caving, hot air ballooning, jungle zip lining, parachuting, paragliding, parascending, rappelling, skydiving; spelunking, whitewater kayaking, wildlife safaris, and windsurfing.

If you’re a thrill-seeking traveler who enjoys life’s more adventurous activities, you may want to consider adding supplemental coverage to your plan. The Adventure Sports Rider provides coverage for injuries sustained during certain extreme sports that would otherwise be excluded from your insurance policy.

How do I extend IMG insurance?

Before the end of your term of coverage, IMG will email you at the address you provided them when you began your coverage. This email will include a link that will allow you to extend your coverage. You must extend your coverage before your current plan expires.

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IMG Travel Insurance Review: Flexible Options For Your Next Trip

This article may contain references to some of our advertising partners. Should you click on these links, we may be compensated. For more about our advertising policies, read our  full disclosure statement  here.

In this IMG Travel and Travel Medical Insurance review, we’ll explore what plans they offer, how they compare with each other, and which plan is best for different situations. Enjoy!

When planning a trip, it’s crucial to consider protecting your financial and physical well-being. If you’ve put down expensive, non-refundable deposits, it’s smart to protect those investments with a travel insurance policy. You might tell yourself you can’t afford it, but it’s more likely that you can’t afford to skip it .

The other major consideration is the cost of medical care outside your home country. No one likes to think about it, but what if you get injured or fall ill during your trip? Travel medical insurance covers the cost of emergency care so you can focus on getting better without worrying about the expense.

Today I’ll review IMG travel insurance and travel medical insurance. IMG offers a ton of products to meet the needs of almost any traveler. While I don’t have space to get into the nitty-gritty off all the options, I’ll focus on the main travel insurance and travel medical insurance plans to give you an idea of how they work and what’s included.

Here we go!

IMG at a Glance

• Customizable, renewable travel medical insurance
• Multi-trip travel medical plan for frequent travelers
• Travel insurance featuring trip cancellation, trip interruption, and emergency medical coverage
• Specialty travel medical plans for seniors, missionaries, U.S. visitors, and expats

IMG Travel Insurance Products

IMG offers two broad types of products: travel insurance and travel medical insurance.

Travel insurance (sometimes called trip protection) protects the investment you make in your trip. Its main features are trip cancellation and trip interruption, but it includes other benefits, too.

Trip cancellation gives you money back on your non-refundable trip costs when you need to cancel your trip for a covered reason. Trip interruption reimburses your non-refundable costs if you need to return home suddenly once your trip has started.

Travel insurance plans also typically cover some of the inconveniences that might come up when you travel. Think things like delayed flights and delayed or lost baggage. Travel insurance plans often include emergency medical coverage as well, making them well-rounded options for many travelers.

IMG offers the following travel insurance plans:

iTravelInsured Travel Lite Insurance

Itravelinsured travel se insurance, itravelinsured travel lx insurance.

The other main type of insurance IMG sells is called travel medical insurance. These policies provide temporary medical coverage when you’re traveling outside of your home country. They cover the cost of emergency medical treatment in the unfortunate event you get injured or sick during your trip.

IMG offers the following travel medical plans for coverage outside the U.S.:

• Patriot Travel International Medical Insurance

Patriot Platinum International Travel Medical Insurance

Patriot multi-trip travel medical insurance.

They also offer three travel medical plans for non-U.S. residents who need short-term medical coverage while visiting the U.S.:

• Patriot Travel America
• Patriot Plus America
• Patriot Platinum America

Although it is beyond the scope of this review to include details on these, be aware that IMG also offers specialty plans targeting international students, expats, seniors, and missionaries. Check out their website to learn more .

IMG Travel Insurance: What’s Included?

First, let’s take a closer look at the benefits included with IMG’s travel insurance plans.

Travel Lite is IMG’s entry-level plan. It offers secondary coverage, which means you have to exhaust other forms of insurance before IMG will pay a claim. Even though it’s a budget pick, it boasts impressive coverage.

Travel SE is IMG’s most popular plan. It’s suitable for domestic or international travel , including cruises. It includes all the benefits of the Travel Lite plan, but with higher levels of coverage, plus a few extra perks.

Travel LX is IMG’s deluxe travel insurance plan, providing the broadest range of benefits with the highest levels of coverage. It includes everything the Travel SE offers and more.

The biggest perks are the cancel and interrupt for any reason coverage. With the other plans, these benefits only apply when you cancel or interrupt your trip for a covered reason. The covered reasons are fairly inclusive, but you can’t beat the flexibility of being able to change your plans for any reason.

The Travel LX plan will appeal to adventure travelers, since it covers the sports and recreation activities excluded under the other plans. Those types might also be more likely to rent sporting equipment, so they might appreciate being covered for that, too.

IMG Travel Medical Insurance: What’s Included?

Now let’s take a closer look at the benefits included with IMG’s travel medical insurance plans.

Patriot Travel International Travel Medical Insurance

The Patriot Travel International plan is IMG’s most popular travel medical insurance product. It offers short-term medical coverage when traveling outside your home country and is renewable up to 24 continuous months. Maximum limits and the deductible you pay are customizable, so you can design a plan that meets your needs and your budget.

As you can see, it includes a slew of medical benefits. Be sure to visit the website to review a comprehensive list (spoiler alert: It’s long).

The Patriot Platinum plan offers the highest level of coverage of any of IMG’s international travel medical plans. It includes the same benefit categories as the Patriot plan, but in many cases, more coverage. It also adds:

• Remote transportation
• Supplemental accident
• The ability to extend coverage to up to 36 months

Note that you can add additional coverage for adventure sports to any of IMG’s travel medical plans.

The Patriot Multi-Trip plan is an ideal solution for frequent travelers . It covers all trips lasting up to 30 or 45 days in a 12-month period and is renewable for up to 36 months. Unlike the other travel medical plans, the coverage limits and benefits are not customizable.

Benefits include but are not limited to:

• Medical expenses
• Emergency dental
• Emergency and political evacuation
• Emergency reunion
• Return of mortal remains
• Return of minor children
• Accidental death and dismemberment
• Trip interruption
• Lost luggage

A Note About the Patriot America Plans

IMG offers three plans for non-U.S. residents visiting America . The Patriot Travel America, Patriot Plus America, and Patriot Platinum America offer similar benefits to the Patriot International plans, with some distinct features. Consult the certificate of insurance for specifics.

How Much Do They Cost?

The price of IMG’s plans will depend on:

• The plan you select
• The duration of coverage
• Your destination
• The value of your trip (for the travel insurance plans)
• Your desired coverage limit and deductible (for the travel medical insurance plans)

For accurate pricing, it’s best to get a quote directly from IMG. Don’t worry – it’s fast and easy on their website.

Just for fun, I tested out the system and grabbed a fast quote for a hypothetical family of four from Alabama spending a week in sunny Dominican Republic. Their ages are 38, 36, 10, and 8. Their trip costs $5,000. These are their quotes:

• iTravelInsured Travel Lite: $172
• iTravelInsured Travel SE: $196
• iTravelInsured Travel LX: $392
• Patriot Travel International: $35.02
• Patriot Platinum: $49

As you can see from those quotes, the travel insurance plans are much more expensive than the travel medical plans. That’s because the travel insurance plans include trip cancellation coverage for $5,000, which is an expensive benefit. The Travel LX plan, which is the most expensive on the bunch, includes cancellation for any reason, which is part of what drives up the cost.

IMG: What Isn’t Covered?

Certain sporting and recreational activities (except travel lx).

With the exception of the iTravelInsured Travel LX plan, IMG’s travel insurance plans don’t cover losses related to certain sporting and recreation activities that are considered adventurous. The travel medical plans come with the option of adding coverage for an extra charge, but they don’t include it by default. Consult your specific plan to see which activities are excluded. (Pssst: For incredibly inclusive adventure sport coverage, check out World Nomads ).

Anyone Who Is Pregnant, HIV+, or Disabled

The Patriot Travel Medical plans won’t cover anyone who is HIV+, pregnant, hospitalized, or disabled on the plan’s effective date. While it’s a given that people in the hospital won’t be traveling, it’s important for pregnant women and HIV+ travelers to be aware of this exclusion and look elsewhere.

> Read More: Best Travel Insurance Companies This Year

Losses Related to War

Like most travel insurance and travel medical insurance providers, IMG will not cover losses related to war, civil unrest, hostilities between nations, riots, and the like.

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions (With Some Caveats)

Generally speaking, IMG’s plans cover losses related to pre-existing medical conditions, but there are some caveats.

The definition of pre-existing medical condition varies by plan. IMG’s iTravelInsured travel insurance plans define it as a condition for which you sought care, treatment, testing, or medication in the 60 days before your plan effective date. The Patriot travel medical insurance plans define it as a condition that required treatment, testing, or medication (including a change in medication) in the 30 days before the plan effective date.

The iTravelInsured travel plans do not cover pre-existing medical conditions. However, a pre-existing condition exclusion waiver is available with the Travel SE and LX plans if you purchase it within 20 days of your initial trip payment.

The Patriot single-trip plans cover acute onset of pre-existing conditions for travelers under age 70. That means that if a condition is stable for 30 days before your policy comes into effect, but something unexpected comes up when you’re traveling, you’re covered. The Patriot Multi-Trip plan covers sudden and unexpected recurrence of a pre-existing medical condition.

Who Can Be Covered?

To be eligible for IMG’s Patriot single-trip travel medical insurance plans, you must be at least 14 days old and cannot be pregnant, HIV+, hospitalized, or disabled on the date your coverage begins. Only non-U.S. residents are eligible for the Patriot America travel medical plans. Travelers under age 76 with their own domestic health insurance policies are eligible to purchase the Patriot Multi-Trip plan.

IMG’s iTravelInsured travel plans cover travelers up to age 99 who are medically able to travel on their plan effective date.

Pros and Cons of IMG Travel and Travel Medical Insurance

Who should buy it.

• Seniors: IMG’s travel insurance plans cover travelers up to age 99, so age won’t prevent seniors from securing the protection they need. IMG also offers a product specifically for seniors that is worth checking out.
• Groups: IMG offers group rates, which means your travel posse might be eligible for a discount. Get a quote today to find out .
• Travelers Looking for One Product to Cover All Their Needs: IMG’s travel insurance plans bundle trip protection, emergency medical coverage, and convenience features. For many travelers, this is a simple solution that covers all their needs.
• Travelers Seeking Customizable Coverage: Travelers seeking to customize their medical coverage and deductible can select a travel medical plan that suits their needs and budget. The Patriot plans offer high levels of coverage that will satisfy even the most discerning traveler.
• Long-Term Travelers: IMG’s travel medical plans are renewable up to 24 or 36 months, depending on the plan. That means travelers with a case of wanderlust won’t find themselves without protection if they decide to extend their trip.
• Frequent Travelers: People who travel several times per year might benefit from IMG’s Patriot Multi-Trip Travel Medical Insurance. Rather than buying a policy for each individual trip, getting the multi-trip plan means you’ll be covered for all trips within a year.

Who Should Skip IMG?

• Anyone Who Is Pregnant or HIV+: IMG’s travel medical plans won’t cover travelers who are pregnant or HIV+ on the plan effective date. While most travel medical insurance providers will not cover claims related to routine care during pregnancy, most of the ones I have reviewed do not refuse to cover pregnant women altogether. So even if you’re trying to get pregnant, I would look elsewhere. Similarly, while many providers do not cover pre-existing medical conditions, most do not exclude people completely based on HIV status.
• Anyone Looking for Travel Insurance Lasting Longer Than 90 Days: IMG’s travel insurance (as opposed to the travel medical) plans cover trips lasting up to 90 days. If you’re planning to be away for an extended period, the travel medical plans might work for you, since they are extendable up to 24 or 36 months. Of course, the travel medical plans don’t include the same benefits as the travel insurance plans. Notably, they don’t provide trip cancellation. You might want to check out SafetyWing Travel Insurance instead.
• Travelers Looking to Bundle Trip Cancellation With Customizable Medical Coverage: When you shop IMG, you basically have to choose between two key benefits: trip cancellation and customizable medical coverage. You can get either, but not both on the same plan. If you opt for a travel insurance plan, you get trip cancellation and one-size-fits-most emergency medical coverage. If you opt for a travel medical plan, you get to choose your level of medical coverage and the deductible you’re comfortable paying, but you forfeit trip cancellation. This is the case with many providers, but it can still be a difficult decision.

How to Buy IMG Travel Insurance or Travel Medical Insurance

The easiest way to buy IMG travel insurance or travel medical insurance is on their website . Start by entering information about yourself, your traveling companions, and your trip. You’ll get a quote for all the plans that meet your needs. From there, choose the one that works best for you and purchase it online. If you need help, you can always contact IMG.

How to Make a Claim

If you need to file a claim, you can log into MyIMG to complete and submit claim forms online. Alternatively, you can mail claim forms and original itemized bills to IMG’s claims department. IMG needs to receive all relevant documents within 90 days of the service you’re claiming.

IMG Travel Insurance Plans: Are They a Good Buy?

IMG offers so many options that one is bound to suit your needs. The travel insurance plans are good all-in-one options for people who need trip cancellation coverage. Even the iTravelInsured Travel Lite, which is the entry-level offering, has solid trip protection and medical coverage. For anyone who doesn’t need customizable medical coverage or deductibles and wants to protect their trip, IMG travel insurance plans are a good buy.

Travelers who don’t need trip cancellation or trip delay can save some money and gain more control over their medical coverage by opting for travel medical insurance.

Sandra Parsons is a professional freelance writer and personal finance expert who writes about all things money. Her work has been featured on sites like MoneyTips, Credit Knocks, Women Who Money, and CreditCards.org. She also adores travel (preferably paid for with credit card rewards) and routinely reviews sightseeing passes and travel insurance solutions. Prior to focusing on her writing career, Sandra spent five years working in banking. She also holds master’s degrees in employment relations and psychology. Learn more about Sandra here.

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The best travel insurance policies and providers

It's easy to dismiss the value of travel insurance until you need it.

Many travelers have strong opinions about whether you should buy travel insurance . However, the purpose of this post isn't to determine whether it's worth investing in. Instead, it compares some of the top travel insurance providers and policies so you can determine which travel insurance option is best for you.

Of course, as the coronavirus remains an ongoing concern, it's important to understand whether travel insurance covers pandemics. Some policies will cover you if you're diagnosed with COVID-19 and have proof of illness from a doctor. Others will take coverage a step further, covering additional types of pandemic-related expenses and cancellations.

Know, though, that every policy will have exclusions and restrictions that may limit coverage. For example, fear of travel is generally not a covered reason for invoking trip cancellation or interruption coverage, while specific stipulations may apply to elevated travel warnings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Interested in travel insurance? Visit InsureMyTrip.com to shop for plans that may fit your travel needs.

So, before buying a specific policy, you must understand the full terms and any special notices the insurer has about COVID-19. You may even want to buy the optional cancel for any reason add-on that's available for some comprehensive policies. While you'll pay more for that protection, it allows you to cancel your trip for any reason and still get some of your costs back. Note that this benefit is time-sensitive and has other eligibility requirements, so not all travelers will qualify.

In this guide, we'll review several policies from top travel insurance providers so you have a better understanding of your options before picking the policy and provider that best address your wants and needs.

The best travel insurance providers

To put together this list of the best travel insurance providers, a number of details were considered: favorable ratings from TPG Lounge members, the availability of details about policies and the claims process online, positive online ratings and the ability to purchase policies in most U.S. states. You can also search for options from these (and other) providers through an insurance comparison site like InsureMyTrip .

When comparing insurance providers, I priced out a single-trip policy for each provider for a $2,000, one-week vacation to Istanbul . I used my actual age and state of residence when obtaining quotes. As a result, you may see a different price — or even additional policies due to regulations for travel insurance varying from state to state — when getting a quote.

AIG Travel Guard

AIG Travel Guard receives many positive reviews from readers in the TPG Lounge who have filed claims with the company. AIG offers three plans online, which you can compare side by side, and the ability to examine sample policies. Here are three plans for my sample trip to Turkey.

AIG Travel Guard also offers an annual travel plan. This plan is priced at $259 per year for one Florida resident.

Additionally, AIG Travel Guard offers several other policies, including a single-trip policy without trip cancellation protection . See AIG Travel Guard's COVID-19 notification and COVID-19 advisory for current details regarding COVID-19 coverage.

Preexisting conditions

Typically, AIG Travel Guard wouldn't cover you for any loss or expense due to a preexisting medical condition that existed within 180 days of the coverage effective date. However, AIG Travel Guard may waive the preexisting medical condition exclusion on some plans if you meet the following conditions:

• You purchase the plan within 15 days of your initial trip payment.
• The amount of coverage you purchase equals all trip costs at the time of purchase. You must update your coverage to insure the costs of any subsequent arrangements that you add to your trip within 15 days of paying the travel supplier for these additional arrangements.
• You must be medically able to travel when you purchase your plan.

Standout features

• The Deluxe and Preferred plans allow you to purchase an upgrade that lets you cancel your trip for any reason. However, reimbursement under this coverage will not exceed 50% or 75% of your covered trip cost.
• You can include one child (age 17 and younger) with each paying adult for no additional cost on most single-trip plans.
• Other optional upgrades, including an adventure sports bundle, a baggage bundle, an inconvenience bundle, a pet bundle, a security bundle and a wedding bundle, are available on some policies. So, an AIG Travel Guard plan may be a good choice if you know you want extra coverage in specific areas.

Purchase your policy here: AIG Travel Guard .

Allianz Travel Insurance

Allianz is one of the most highly regarded providers in the TPG Lounge, and many readers found the claim process reasonable. Allianz offers many plans, including the following single-trip plans for my sample trip to Turkey.

If you travel frequently, it may make sense to purchase an annual multi-trip policy. For this plan, all of the maximum coverage amounts in the table below are per trip (except for the trip cancellation and trip interruption amounts, which are an aggregate limit per policy). Trips typically must last no more than 45 days, although some plans may cover trips of up to 90 days.

See Allianz's coverage alert for current information on COVID-19 coverage.

Most Allianz travel insurance plans may cover preexisting medical conditions if you meet particular requirements. For the OneTrip Premier, Prime and Basic plans, the requirements are as follows:

• You purchased the policy within 14 days of the date of the first trip payment or deposit.
• You were a U.S. resident when you purchased the policy.
• You were medically able to travel when you purchased the policy.
• On the policy purchase date, you insured the total, nonrefundable cost of your trip (including arrangements that will become nonrefundable or subject to cancellation penalties before your departure date). If you incur additional nonrefundable trip expenses after purchasing this policy, you must insure them within 14 days of their purchase.
• Allianz offers reasonably priced annual policies for independent travelers and families who take multiple trips lasting up to 45 days (or 90 days for select plans) per year.
• Some Allianz plans provide the option of receiving a flat reimbursement amount without receipts for trip delay and baggage delay claims. Of course, you can also submit receipts to get up to the maximum refund.
• For emergency transportation coverage, you or someone on your behalf must contact Allianz, and Allianz must then make all transportation arrangements in advance. However, most Allianz policies provide an option if you cannot contact the company: Allianz will pay up to what it would have paid if it had made the arrangements.

Purchase your policy here: Allianz Travel Insurance .

American Express Travel Insurance

American Express Travel Insurance offers four different package plans and a build-your-own coverage option. You don't have to be an American Express cardholder to purchase this insurance. Here are the four package options for my sample weeklong trip to Turkey. Unlike some other providers, Amex won't ask for your travel destination on the initial quote (but will when you purchase the plan).

Amex's build-your-own coverage plan is unique because you can purchase just the coverage you need. For most types of protection, you can even select the coverage amount that works best for you.

The prices for the packages and the build-your-own plan don't increase for longer trips — as long as the trip cost remains constant. However, the emergency medical and dental benefit is only available for your first 60 days of travel.

Typically, Amex won't cover any loss you incur because of a preexisting medical condition that existed within 90 days of the coverage effective date. However, Amex may waive its preexisting-condition exclusion if you meet both of the following requirements:

• You must be medically able to travel at the time you pay the policy premium.
• You pay the policy premium within 14 days of making the first covered trip deposit.
• Amex's build-your-own coverage option allows you to only purchase — and pay for — the coverage you need.
• Coverage on long trips doesn't cost more than coverage for short trips, making this policy ideal for extended getaways. However, the emergency medical and dental benefit only covers your first 60 days of travel.
• American Express Travel Insurance can protect travel expenses you purchase with Amex Membership Rewards points in the Pay with Points program (as well as travel expenses bought with cash, debit or credit). However, travel expenses bought with other types of points and miles aren't covered.

Purchase your policy here: American Express Travel Insurance .

GeoBlue is different from most other providers described in this piece because it only provides medical coverage while you're traveling internationally and does not offer benefits to protect the cost of your trip. There are many different policies. Some require you to have primary health insurance in the U.S. (although it doesn't need to be provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield), but all of them only offer coverage while traveling outside the U.S.

Two single-trip plans are available if you're traveling for six months or less. The Voyager Choice policy provides coverage (including medical services and medical evacuation for a sudden recurrence of a preexisting condition) for trips outside the U.S. to travelers who are 95 or younger and already have a U.S. health insurance policy.

The Voyager Essential policy provides coverage (including medical evacuation for a sudden recurrence of a preexisting condition) for trips outside the U.S. to travelers who are 95 or younger, regardless of whether they have primary health insurance.

In addition to these options, two multi-trip plans cover trips of up to 70 days each for one year. Both policies provide coverage (including medical services and medical evacuation for preexisting conditions) to travelers with primary health insurance.

Be sure to check out GeoBlue's COVID-19 notices before buying a plan.

Most GeoBlue policies explicitly cover sudden recurrences of preexisting conditions for medical services and medical evacuation.

• GeoBlue can be an excellent option if you're mainly concerned about the medical side of travel insurance.
• GeoBlue provides single-trip, multi-trip and long-term medical travel insurance policies for many different types of travel.

Purchase your policy here: GeoBlue .

IMG offers various travel medical insurance policies for travelers, as well as comprehensive travel insurance policies. For a single trip of 90 days or less, there are five policy types available for vacation or holiday travelers. Although you must enter your gender, males and females received the same quote for my one-week search.

You can purchase an annual multi-trip travel medical insurance plan. Some only cover trips lasting up to 30 or 45 days, but others provide coverage for longer trips.

See IMG's page on COVID-19 for additional policy information as it relates to coronavirus-related claims.

Most plans may cover preexisting conditions under set parameters or up to specific amounts. For example, the iTravelInsured Travel LX travel insurance plan shown above may cover preexisting conditions if you purchase the insurance within 24 hours of making the final payment for your trip.

For the travel medical insurance plans shown above, preexisting conditions are covered for travelers younger than 70. However, coverage is capped based on your age and whether you have a primary health insurance policy.

• Some annual multi-trip plans are modestly priced.
• iTravelInsured Travel LX may offer optional cancel for any reason and interruption for any reason coverage, if eligible.

Purchase your policy here: IMG .

Travelex Insurance

Travelex offers three single-trip plans: Travel Basic, Travel Select and Travel America. However, only the Travel Basic and Travel Select plans would be applicable for my trip to Turkey.

See Travelex's COVID-19 coverage statement for coronavirus-specific information.

Typically, Travelex won't cover losses incurred because of a preexisting medical condition that existed within 60 days of the coverage effective date. However, the Travel Select plan may offer a preexisting condition exclusion waiver. To be eligible for this waiver, the insured traveler must meet all the following conditions:

• You purchase the plan within 15 days of the initial trip payment.
• The amount of coverage purchased equals all prepaid, nonrefundable payments or deposits applicable to the trip at the time of purchase. Additionally, you must insure the costs of any subsequent arrangements added to the same trip within 15 days of payment or deposit.
• All insured individuals are medically able to travel when they pay the plan cost.
• The trip cost does not exceed the maximum trip cost limit under trip cancellation as shown in the schedule per person (only applicable to trip cancellation, interruption and delay).
• Travelex's Travel Select policy can cover trips lasting up to 364 days, which is longer than many single-trip policies.
• Neither Travelex policy requires receipts for trip and baggage delay expenses less than $25.
• For emergency evacuation coverage, you or someone on your behalf must contact Travelex and have Travelex make all transportation arrangements in advance. However, both Travelex policies provide an option if you cannot contact Travelex: Travelex will pay up to what it would have paid if it had made the arrangements.

Purchase your policy here: Travelex Insurance .

Seven Corners

Seven Corners offers a wide variety of policies. Here are the policies that are most applicable to travelers on a single international trip.

Seven Corners also offers many other types of travel insurance, including an annual multi-trip plan. You can choose coverage for trips of up to 30, 45 or 60 days when purchasing an annual multi-trip plan.

See Seven Corner's page on COVID-19 for additional policy information as it relates to coronavirus-related claims.

Typically, Seven Corners won't cover losses incurred because of a preexisting medical condition. However, the RoundTrip Choice plan offers a preexisting condition exclusion waiver. To be eligible for this waiver, you must meet all of the following conditions:

• You buy this plan within 20 days of making your initial trip payment or deposit.
• You or your travel companion are medically able and not disabled from travel when you pay for this plan or upgrade your plan.
• You update the coverage to include the additional cost of subsequent travel arrangements within 15 days of paying your travel supplier for them.
• Seven Corners offers the ability to purchase optional sports and golf equipment coverage. If purchased, this extra insurance will reimburse you for the cost of renting sports or golf equipment if yours is lost, stolen, damaged or delayed by a common carrier for six or more hours. However, Seven Corners must authorize the expenses in advance.
• You can add cancel for any reason coverage or trip interruption for any reason coverage to RoundTrip plans. Although some other providers offer cancel for any reason coverage, trip interruption for any reason coverage is less common.
• Seven Corners' RoundTrip Choice policy offers a political or security evacuation benefit that will transport you to the nearest safe place or your residence under specific conditions. You can also add optional event ticket registration fee protection to the RoundTrip Choice policy.

Purchase your policy here: Seven Corners .

World Nomads

World Nomads is popular with younger, active travelers because of its flexibility and adventure-activities coverage on the Explorer plan. Unlike many policies offered by other providers, you don't need to estimate prepaid costs when purchasing the insurance to have access to trip interruption and cancellation insurance.

World Nomads offers two single-trip plans.

World Nomads has a page dedicated to coronavirus coverage , so be sure to view it before buying a policy.

World Nomads won't cover losses incurred because of a preexisting medical condition (except emergency evacuation and repatriation of remains) that existed within 90 days of the coverage effective date. Unlike many other providers, World Nomads doesn't offer a waiver.

• World Nomads' policies cover more adventure sports than most providers, so activities such as bungee jumping are included. The Explorer policy covers almost any adventure sport, including skydiving, stunt flying and caving. So, if you partake in adventure sports while traveling, the Explorer policy may be a good fit.
• World Nomads' policies provide nonmedical evacuation coverage for transportation expenses if there is civil or political unrest in the country you are visiting. The coverage may also transport you home if there is an eligible natural disaster or a government expels you.

Purchase your policy here: World Nomads .

Other options for buying travel insurance

This guide details the policies of eight providers with the information available at the time of publication. There are many options when it comes to travel insurance, though. To compare different policies quickly, you can use a travel insurance aggregator like InsureMyTrip to search. Just note that these search engines won't show every policy and every provider, and you should still research the provided policies to ensure the coverage fits your trip and needs.

You can also purchase a plan through various membership associations, such as USAA, AAA or Costco. Typically, these organizations partner with a specific provider, so if you are a member of any of these associations, you may want to compare the policies offered through the organization with other policies to get the best coverage for your trip.

Related: Should you get travel insurance if you have credit card protection?

Is travel insurance worth getting?

Whether you should purchase travel insurance is a personal decision. Suppose you use a credit card that provides travel insurance for most of your expenses and have medical insurance that provides adequate coverage abroad. In that case, you may be covered enough on most trips to forgo purchasing travel insurance.

However, suppose your medical insurance won't cover you at your destination and you can't comfortably cover a sizable medical evacuation bill or last-minute flight home . In that case, you should consider purchasing travel insurance. If you travel frequently, buying an annual multi-trip policy may be worth it.

What is the best COVID-19 travel insurance?

There are various aspects to keep in mind in the age of COVID-19. Consider booking travel plans that are fully refundable or have modest change or cancellation fees so you don't need to worry about whether your policy will cover trip cancellation. This is important since many standard comprehensive insurance policies won't reimburse your insured expenses in the event of cancellation if it's related to the fear of traveling due to COVID-19.

However, if you book a nonrefundable trip and want to maintain the ability to get reimbursed (up to 75% of your insured costs) if you choose to cancel, you should consider buying a comprehensive travel insurance policy and then adding optional cancel for any reason protection. Just note that this benefit is time-sensitive and has eligibility requirements, so not all travelers will qualify.

Providers will often require CFAR purchasers insure the entire dollar amount of their travels to receive the coverage. Also, many CFAR policies mandate that you must cancel your plans and notify all travel suppliers at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure.

Likewise, if your primary health insurance won't cover you while on your trip, it's essential to consider whether medical expenses related to COVID-19 treatment are covered. You may also want to consider a MedJet medical transport membership if your trip is to a covered destination for coronavirus-related evacuation.

Ultimately, the best pandemic travel insurance policy will depend on your trip details, travel concerns and your willingness to self-insure. Just be sure to thoroughly read and understand any terms or exclusions before purchasing.

What are the different types of travel insurance?

Whether you purchase a comprehensive travel insurance policy or rely on the protections offered by select credit cards, you may have access to the following types of coverage:

• Baggage delay protection may reimburse for essential items and clothing when a common carrier (such as an airline) fails to deliver your checked bag within a set time of your arrival at a destination. Typically, you may be reimbursed up to a particular amount per incident or per day.
• Lost/damaged baggage protection may provide reimbursement to replace lost or damaged luggage and items inside that luggage. However, valuables and electronics usually have a relatively low maximum benefit.
• Trip delay reimbursement may provide reimbursement for necessary items, food, lodging and sometimes transportation when you're delayed for a substantial time while traveling on a common carrier such as an airline. This insurance may be beneficial if weather issues (or other covered reasons for which the airline usually won't provide compensation) delay you.
• Trip cancellation and interruption protection may provide reimbursement if you need to cancel or interrupt your trip for a covered reason, such as a death in your family or jury duty.
• Medical evacuation insurance can arrange and pay for medical evacuation if deemed necessary by the insurance provider and a medical professional. This coverage can be particularly valuable if you're traveling to a region with subpar medical facilities.
• Travel accident insurance may provide a payment to you or your beneficiary in the case of your death or dismemberment.
• Emergency medical insurance may provide payment or reimburse you if you must seek medical care while traveling. Some plans only cover emergency medical care, but some also cover other types of medical care. You may need to pay a deductible or copay.
• Rental car coverage may provide a collision damage waiver when renting a car. This waiver may reimburse for collision damage or theft up to a set amount. Some policies also cover loss-of-use charges assessed by the rental company and towing charges to take the vehicle to the nearest qualified repair facility. You generally need to decline the rental company's collision damage waiver or similar provision to be covered.

Should I buy travel health insurance?

If you purchase travel with credit cards that provide various trip protections, you may not see much need for additional travel insurance. However, you may still wonder whether you should buy travel medical insurance.

If your primary health insurance covers you on your trip, you may not need travel health insurance. Your domestic policy may not cover you outside the U.S., though, so it's worth calling the number on your health insurance card if you have coverage questions. If your primary health insurance wouldn't cover you, it's likely worth purchasing travel medical insurance. After all, as you can see above, travel medical insurance is often very modestly priced.

How much does travel insurance cost?

Travel insurance costs depend on various factors, including the provider, the type of coverage, your trip cost, your destination, your age, your residency and how many travelers you want to insure. That said, a standard travel insurance plan will generally set you back somewhere between 4% and 10% of your total trip cost. However, this can get lower for more basic protections or become even higher if you include add-ons like cancel for any reason protection.

The best way to determine how much travel insurance will cost is to price out your trip with a few providers discussed in the guide. Or, visit an insurance aggregator like InsureMyTrip to quickly compare options across multiple providers.

When and how to get travel insurance

For the most robust selection of available travel insurance benefits — including time-sensitive add-ons like CFAR protection and waivers of preexisting conditions for eligible travelers — you should ideally purchase travel insurance on the same day you make your first payment toward your trip.

However, many plans may still offer a preexisting conditions waiver for those who qualify if you buy your travel insurance within 14 to 21 days of your first trip expense or deposit (this time frame may vary by provider). If you don't need a preexisting conditions waiver or aren't interested in CFAR coverage, you can purchase travel insurance once your departure date nears.

You must purchase coverage before it's needed. Some travel medical plans are available for purchase after you have departed, but comprehensive plans that include medical coverage must be purchased before departing.

Additionally, you can't buy any medical coverage once you require medical attention. The same applies to all travel insurance coverage. Once you recognize the need, it's too late to protect your trip.

Once you've shopped around and decided upon the best travel insurance plan for your trip, you should be able to complete your purchase online. You'll usually be able to download your insurance card and the complete policy shortly after the transaction is complete.

Related: 7 times your credit card's travel insurance might not cover you

Bottom line

Not all travel insurance policies and providers are equal. Before buying a plan, read and understand the policy documents. By doing so, you can choose a plan that's appropriate for you and your trip — including the features that matter most to you.

For example, if you plan to go skiing or rock climbing, make sure the policy you buy doesn't contain exclusions for these activities. Likewise, if you're making two back-to-back trips during which you'll be returning home for a short time in between, be sure the plan doesn't terminate coverage at the end of your first trip.

If you're looking to cover a sudden recurrence of a preexisting condition, select a policy with a preexisting condition waiver and fulfill the requirements for the waiver. After all, buying insurance won't help if your policy doesn't cover your losses.

Disclaimer : This information is provided by IMT Services, LLC ( InsureMyTrip.com ), a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 5119217) and a member of the Tokio Marine HCC group of companies. IMT's services are only available in states where it is licensed to do business and the products provided through InsureMyTrip.com may not be available in all states. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not create or modify any insurance policy terms in any way. For more information, please visit www.insuremytrip.com .

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The 5 Best Annual Travel Insurance Plans (2024)

Alex Carver is a writer and researcher based in Charlotte, N.C. A contributor to major news websites such as Automoblog and USA Today, she’s written content in sectors such as insurance, warranties, shipping, real estate and more.

Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.

Here’s a breakdown of how we reviewed and rated the best travel insurance companies

The 5 Best Annual Travel Insurance Plans

Based on our team’s extensive research on annual, multi-trip travel insurance plans, we’ve named the following as our top picks. 

• Seven Corners: Trip Protection Annual Multi-Trip
• Trawick International : Safe Travels Annual Basic
• International Medical Group (IMG): Patriot Multi-Trip Travel Medical
• Allianz Travel Insurance: AllTrips Premier
• AIG Travel Guard: Annual Plan

Seven Corners Travel Insurance

Why We Picked Seven Corners

Seven Corners provides annual coverage through its Trip Protection Annual Multi-Trip plan. The plan includes COVID-19 protection, trip cancellation insurance and pre-existing condition coverage as standard, and allows for unlimited trips lasting 40 days or less throughout your policy term. You can also customize your annual trip cancellation limit, with up to $10,000 in total benefits.

Pros and Cons

Trawick international.

Why We Picked Trawick

If you’re looking for basic coverage at a low cost, Trawick International offers its Safe Travels Annual Basic plan for a flat rate of $155 per person. Coverage extends up to 30 days for each trip taken more than 100 miles from home during your coverage period and can apply to both U.S.-based and international trips. While Trawick features lower coverage limits than other providers on our list, it offers 100% trip cancellation coverage at no additional cost.

International Medical Group

Why We Picked IMG

International Medical Group (IMG) provides the highest medical coverage maximum of all the providers on our list through its Patriot Multi-Trip Travel Medical plan. The policy offers protection of up to $1 million after paying a $250 deductible for medical benefits, dental, emergency medical evacuation and more. IMG also provides medical and emergency medical evacuation coverage if you have a sudden and unexpected recurrence of a pre-existing condition. Note that you can upgrade your plan to allow for 45 days of coverage per trip versus 30 days.

Allianz Global Assistance

Why We Picked Allianz

The Allianz AllTrips Premier plan provides annual travel insurance coverage for your entire household through one plan — regardless of whether you travel separately or together. The plan includes trip cancellation and interruption benefits as standard coverage, but you can customize the coverage limits at an additional cost. The AllTrips Premier plan also provides rental car coverage, which most providers in this review lack.

AIG Travel Guard

Why We Picked AIG

AIG Travel Guard (AIG) offers one annual travel protection policy, called the Annual Plan. It provides non-flight accidental death and dismemberment coverage up to $50,000, which is not typically included in other yearly policy offerings based on our review. AIG also offers up to $100,000 specifically for security evacuations. Note that there is no age limit to purchasing a policy — the only requirements include holding U.S. residency and buying the policy no later than 24 hours before departure.

What Is Annual Travel Insurance?

Annual travel insurance — also known as multi-trip travel insurance — can protect multiple trips over a year. For frequent travelers planning several vacations in a year, an annual travel insurance plan can offer a more economical option than purchasing multiple single-trip policies . With annual travel insurance, you should only pay one premium for a year’s worth of coverage.

While each annual travel insurance plan varies by provider, you may find that per-trip or yearly coverage limits apply rather than item-specific limits. In addition, some coverages found with single-trip policies are not typically included in an annual travel insurance plan, such as trip cancellation insurance, baggage loss and rental car coverage. Providers may also not offer the option to add cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage with an annual plan. Annual travel insurance usually focuses more on medical protection versus a broader range of coverages, based on our assessment.

Compare Annual Travel Insurance Plans

You can refer to the table below for a side-by-side comparison of our team’s picks for the best annual travel insurance policies.

* Our team gathered quotes from each provider’s website for the above-listed plans based on a 30-year-old sample traveler.

How To Choose an Annual Travel Insurance Plan

There are several steps you can take to help make the process of choosing an annual travel insurance plan easier while ensuring you pick the right plan for your needs as a traveler.

First, it is best practice to research providers before choosing an annual travel insurance plan. Not all travel insurance providers offer this type of policy, and for the ones that do, we recommend you consider industry and customer reputation when making a decision. Note the coverage limits, medical benefits and any additional add-ons each company offers. While the providers listed in this article are our top picks for annual coverage, every traveler’s needs and best-suited plan will vary.

If you have your travel itinerary for the year mapped out and know what you’re looking for in terms of coverage, consider an annual plan that aligns with your needs and concerns. For example, if you have a pre-existing medical condition , you may consider a provider that provides a pre-existing condition waiver and high medical coverage limits. If you’re more concerned about cancellation coverage, you may choose a plan that offers this type of protection, which not all companies include in their annual plans.

How Does Annual Travel Insurance Work?

Annual travel insurance works by covering a traveler during multiple trips over the course of a year. There’s usually no limit to the number of trips you can take during this time. However, companies do include limits on how long each trip can last under coverage. This limit varies by provider, but a standard threshold is a maximum of 90 days based on our review.

Some annual travel insurance benefits work on a per-trip or per-year basis. For example, a yearly plan may have a baggage loss limit that resets every trip, while it sets separate limits for trip interruption benefits for an entire year of travel. Plans are typically non-renewable, so once your coverage is up, you would have to buy a new plan to cover another year of travel.

After purchasing a plan, coverage begins on the effective date, which your provider should list within your policy documents. Coverage ends on your policy’s expiration date, which your provider should also detail within your policy. How long coverage extends per trip, and the associated coverage levels, will depend on your provider.

We recommend you read your policy carefully to ensure you fully understand the applicable limits of your annual travel insurance plan.

Benefits of Annual Travel Insurance

The benefits of an annual travel insurance plan include low costs compared to purchasing individual plans, convenience and consistent coverage across all of your trips. Learn more in the sections below.

Cost-Efficiency

Annual travel insurance plans are often more cost-efficient than several single-trip policies, according to our quote collection process. If you’re taking more than one or two trips within a year and looking for coverage on a budget, you may consider an annual travel insurance policy.

Convenience

Purchasing one travel insurance policy to cover a year’s worth of multiple trips is easier than buying several single-trip policies. You only need to worry about one set of terms, conditions, policy limits and more instead of juggling multiple plans.

Consistent Coverage

An annual travel insurance policy can ensure that coverage stays consistent throughout your travels. You can take trips of varying lengths to different destinations, but your coverage and benefits should remain the same within your term limits.

Drawbacks of Annual Travel Insurance

As with most types of insurance, there are both pros and cons to annual travel plans. These drawbacks include limited benefits and a variety of exclusions, which we’ll detail below.

Variety of Exclusions

Many providers do not include trip cancellation coverage if you purchase a basic annual policy. While some providers allow you to add these benefits to annual policies for an extra cost, coverage is not typically included as standard as with a single-trip policy.

Offers Lower Limits

Annual travel insurance limits are often lower than with a single-trip policy. If you’re looking to insure a costly trip or need a plan with high medical coverage limits, you may want to consider a single-trip plan instead.

Annual Travel Insurance vs. Single Trip Travel Insurance

You will likely notice differences and similarities when comparing annual travel insurance versus single-trip travel insurance policies. For one, both yearly and single-trip policies usually bundle travel medical, emergency medical evacuation, baggage loss, baggage delay and travel delay coverage within a standard policy . Single-trip policies, however, often include trip cancellation benefits, which many annual policies only offer as an add-on.

Both annual travel insurance and single-trip policies limit the length of trips covered. For yearly plans, limits can range from 30 to 90 days for a single trip, and you’ll need to head back to your home base in between trips. For a single-trip policy, plans often limit trip length to no longer than 180 days.

Cost Differences Between Annual and Single-Trip Travel Insurance

Annual multi-trip policies can be more cost-effective than single-trip coverage for frequent travelers, based on our review. Typically, single-trip policies may benefit travelers taking one or two trips in a year. Annual travel insurance is usually more suited for those who travel often, taking upwards of three trips or more within a year’s time.

There are times when a single-trip plan may better suit your needs compared to an annual policy. For example, if you are taking high-end, luxury trips with a high overall cost, you may benefit more from single-trip policies for each trip with high cancellation and interruption limits.

Who Needs Annual Travel Insurance?

Various types of travelers could benefit from an annual coverage plan. A multi-trip travel insurance plan is worth considering if you travel frequently for business or pleasure and do not need coverages such as trip cancellation insurance. Annual insurance may also suit travelers who like to take last-minute trips or longer vacations, as having an annual travel insurance plan in place can offer more convenience.

Annual plans are also worth considering for lower-cost trips where the primary concern is covering a potential medical emergency. As mentioned, annual plans do not usually offer trip cancellation coverage as a standard inclusion. However, they typically include medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation coverages — ideal for those looking to protect their health versus trip expenses during their travels.

If you’re taking expensive or high-value international trips throughout the year, you may prefer a single-trip policy for the trip cancellation benefits that come with each plan. Or, if you’ve booked a variety of non-refundable expenses, such as hotel or tour reservations, a single-trip plan with cancellation coverage may also better suit your needs.

What Does Annual Travel Insurance Cover?

Annual travel insurance policies offer a variety of coverages to offer financial protection if  unexpected events occur. From medical emergencies to travel inconveniences, yearly plans can provide comprehensive coverage for peace of mind.

Exclusions and Limitations of Annual Travel Policies

Annual travel insurance policies usually have the same exclusions as single-trip policies. Typically, pre-existing medical conditions are not covered. Still, some providers offer a waiver to extend coverage for medical bills or claims related to your recent medical history. Standard annual policies don’t cover adventure sports, but this coverage is often available as an add-on. Moreover, “foreseeable” events, such as natural disasters or named storms that began before you purchased your policy, are also excluded from annual travel coverage.

The coverage provided through an annual travel insurance policy also has limitations. For example, travel medical expenses and emergency medical evacuations have capped monetary limits. If the medical bills incurred during your travels cost more than the coverage you’ve purchased through your policy, you will have to cover the excess out-of-pocket. In addition, trip interruption benefits will cover a percentage of your non-refundable travel expenses, with the amount depending on your plan and provider.

According to Angela Borden, Product Marketing Specialist at Seven Corners, “One of the most common reasons for a denied claim is because a traveler misunderstood the details of their plan. If you have any questions about what’s covered, contact your provider. They’ll be able to address any concerns so that you can travel more confidently.”

We recommend you read through your annual travel policy documents thoroughly to understand the exclusions and limitations associated with your coverage. 

How To Buy Annual Travel Insurance

Purchasing an annual travel insurance policy is usually a straightforward process, as most providers allow you to get a quote and buy a policy entirely online. However, there are some specifics to pay attention to when purchasing a policy. 

Coverage Start and End Dates Vary

It is best practice to pay attention to when your coverage starts and ends with your chosen policy. Most providers specify the start date as when you begin your travels. Plans will likely end a year after your start date or when your benefits are exhausted, whichever comes first. Coverage for each trip cannot exceed the specified maximum length outlined in your policy, so take note of the stipulations around coverage start and end dates.

Understand the Claims Process

It can help to understand how to file a claim with your provider before an emergency occurs during your travels. Many companies allow you to file a claim online, but you can often speak with a claims representative during specified hours if you’d prefer to talk to someone over the phone. You’ll likely have to provide documentation for your claims, so we recommend you keep all receipts and other necessary documents during your travels.

Look for Add-On Options

Some annual travel insurance providers offer optional add-on coverages for an additional cost. You may find that you can customize your coverage limits as well. For example, Allianz and Seven Corners allow you to choose your trip cancellation coverage limits, but increasing the amount can result in an additional cost. Other companies, such as IMG, provide adventure sports riders for those looking to participate in activities such as paragliding, skydiving, windsurfing and more.

Is Annual Travel Insurance Worth It?

Annual travel insurance plans can be worth it for certain travelers . If you travel frequently for business or pleasure and prefer consistent, cost-effective insurance protection, an annual multi-trip policy may be the right choice for you over a single-trip policy. However, examining your unique coverage needs can help you better gauge whether you need a yearly policy.

“When you’ve made a financial investment in your trip or need to protect your health when you travel, travel insurance is 100% worth it. Travel insurance can reimburse you for prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses if you need to cancel or interrupt your trip for a covered reason. This means you get money back in your pocket if the unexpected happens. Travel insurance can also reimburse you if your belongings are lost, stolen, or damaged and you need to replace them during your trip.” Angela Borden, Product Marketing Specialist at Seven Corners

We encourage you to gather multiple annual travel insurance quotes from various providers, comparing the costs and coverage limits on each policy. This can help you choose the coverage that best fits your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Annual Travel Insurance

What is the difference between annual multi-trip and long-stay trip insurance.

Annual multi-trip travel insurance covers multiple short-term trips — usually lasting 90 days or less — over the course of a year. Comparatively, long-stay trip insurance protects extended trips to one location and can be ideal for those working or studying abroad , taking a gap year and more.

Is an annual travel insurance plan worth it?

Annual travel insurance plans can be worth it for people who travel frequently and want affordable, consistent protection throughout the year. It may not be worth it for travelers looking for protections such as CFAR coverage or general trip cancellation benefits.

How much does annual trip insurance cost?

The average cost of annual trip insurance can range from $155 to $485 , based on quotes we gathered for multiple companies. The cost of an annual trip insurance policy will depend on factors such as your chosen plan, provider, coverage limits, add-on coverages and more. The best way to learn how much an annual multi-trip plan will cost you is to obtain free quotes from multiple providers.

Methodology: Our System for Rating Travel Insurance Companies

• A 30-year-old couple taking a $5,000 vacation to Mexico.
• A family of four taking an $8,000 vacation to Mexico.
• A 65-year-old couple taking a $7,000 vacation to the United Kingdom.
• A 30-year-old couple taking a $7,000 trip to the United Kingdom.
• A 19-year-old taking a $2,000 trip to France.
• A 27-year-old couple taking a $1,200 trip to Greece.
• A 51-year-old couple taking a $2,000 trip to Spain.
• Plan availability (10%): We look for insurers with a variety of travel insurance plans and the ability to customize a policy with coverage upgrades.
• Coverage details (29%): We review the baseline coverage each company offers in its cheapest comprehensive plan. A provider with robust coverage earns full points, including baggage delay and loss, COVID-19 coverage, emergency evacuation and medical coverage, trip delay and cancellation coverage, and more. Companies also receive points for offering a variety of policy add-ons like accidental death and dismemberment, extreme sports, valuable items, cancel for any reason coverage and more.
• Coverage times and amounts (34%): We compare each company’s waiting periods and maximum reimbursement amounts for baggage, travel and weather delays. Companies that offer customers reimbursement after fewer than 12 hours of delays earn full points in this category. We also reward travel insurance providers that cover more than 100% of trip costs in the event of cancellations or interruptions.
• Company service and reviews (17%): We look for indicators that a company is well-prepared to respond to customer needs. Companies with an established global resource network, 24/7 emergency hotline, mobile app, multiple ways to file a claim and concierge services score higher in this category. We assess reputation by evaluating consumer reviews, third-party financial strength and customer experience ratings, specifically from AM Best and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

For more information, read our full travel insurance methodology.

A.M. Best Disclaimer

If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team at editors@marketwatchguides. com .

MarketWatch Guides may receive compensation from companies that appear on this page.
The compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear, but it does not influence the recommendations the editorial team provides. Not all companies, products, or offers were reviewed.

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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.

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Travel Medical Insurance

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

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International health insurance.

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

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

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I nternational Health Insurance provides long-term coverage to people living or working outside of their home country, typically for one year or longer. These plans are ideal for expats and their families, individuals with dual residences, multinational employers, and more. Being a global citizen can be an exciting experience, yet one that can pose many potential risks. Your health care abroad should not be one of those concerns. IMG offers revolutionary programs that provide the flexible worldwide coverage you need, backed by the world-class services you expect.

IMG's flagship international medical insurance plan, Global Medical Insurance, allows you to custom build a plan that is specifically tailored to you. The program provides benefits suitable for individuals and families, provides fully portable 24 hour coverage, and gives you the global piece of mind you are seeking. Additionally, the plan was designed to provide long-term, worldwide medical cover that allows you to receive and continue treatment wherever you choose.

Popular Plans Ideal for Expats & Global Citizens

Global Medical Insurance

Annually renewable worldwide medical insurance program for individuals and families

• Long-term (1+ year) worldwide medical insurance for individuals and families
• Annually renewable medical coverage
• Deductible options from $100 to $25,000
• Maximum limit options from $1,000,000 to $8,000,000

Summary of Benefits

Subject to deductible and coinsurance unless otherwise noted

*Teleconsultations will not support a diagnosis for Mental or Nervous Disorders. Coverage for a Teleconsultation is not a determination that any specific condition discussed, raised or identified during such Consultation is covered under this insurance. We reserve the right to decline future claims relating to or arising from any condition discussed, raised or identified during a Teleconsultation where the illness or injury is directly or indirectly related to any Pre-existing Condition or is otherwise excluded under this Policy.

**If applicants can verify their prior health insurance, with no significant break in coverage (63 days), IMG may accept this as Creditable Coverage and provide a pre-existing conditions waiver (final decision is subject to Underwriters approval). Creditable Coverage is defined as a group health plan provided by a U.S. employer or Health Insurance Issuer, individual major medical health insurance provided by a Health Insurance Issuer, or other Public Health Plan (any health plan established or maintained by a State or the U.S. government).

Group International Health Insurance Programs

The Global Employer's Option - GEO Group

Employer-sponsored group health insurance for internationally assigned employees.

International Marine Medical Insurance

Long-term (1+ year) medical coverage for professional marine crew.

MP+ International

Worldwide employer-sponsored group health insurance for mission groups.

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Have any questions we’re here to help you, 866-263-0669, recent blog articles, how to choose the best travel medical insurance plan.

Travel medical insurance may appear overwhelming, but its purpose is simple: travel medical insurance provides coverage for unexpected accidents or illnesses when traveling outside your home country.

Frequently Asked Questions

With an international health plan from IMG, you have medical coverage worldwide. Our plans give you the freedom to choose your own health care provider wherever you are in the world.To view IMG's exclusive provider list, visit the Find A Doctor page in the myIMG member area.

To qualify as an “expatriate health plan,” substantially all of the primary enrollees must be “qualified expatriates.” A “qualified expatriate” is a primary insured meeting all of the following:

Qualified Expatriates in the U.S.:

The individual’s skills, qualification, job duties, or expertise is of a type that has caused the employer to assign him to the U.S. for a specific temporary purpose or assignment tied to employment; and

In connection with such transfer or assignment, the plan sponsor reasonably determines that the individual will require access to health insurance in multiple countries, and is offered other multi-national benefits on a periodic basis (e.g., tax equalization benefits, cross-border moving expenses, compensation to enable the expatriate to return to his home country);

Qualified Expatriates Outside of the U.S.:

The individual is working outside the U.S. for a period of at least 180 days in a consecutive 12-month period that overlaps with the plan year. For purposes of the definition, “U.S.” includes the 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico.

There are also special provisions for members 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations who are traveling or relocating internationally for the organization, including students and religious missionaries.

Expatriate Health Plans are Minimum Essential Coverage

Expatriate health plans qualify as minimum essential coverage. This means that an expatriate health plan will satisfy the employer mandate and the enrollee’s individual mandate.

Employers are Still Subject to §6055/§6056 Reporting and Cadillac Tax on Certain Expatriates

The exemption from ACA requirements does not apply for the new health information reporting requirements for the beginning of 2016.

However, the information statements (primarily the Forms 1094-C and 1095-C for employers) may be provided electronically to individuals covered under an expatriate health plan even if the individual has not consented to electronic distribution (as long as the individual has not explicitly refused electronic distribution).

Expatriate health plans will be exempt from the §4980I excise tax on high cost employer-sponsored health coverage (generally referred to as the “Cadillac tax”) that is scheduled to take effect in 2018, except for expatriates assigned to work in the U.S.

Effective Date

These provisions related to expatriate health plans apply to expatriate health plans issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2015.

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

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. 

You are eligible for our Global Medical insurance plan if you reside outside of the U.S. or have a good faith intent to reside outside of the U.S. for six months or more in a calendar year. Please note that IMG’s Global Medical Insurance Plan does not meet the definition of “minimum essential coverage” under PPACA. GMI is not intended to provide U.S. citizens residing in the U.S. with health insurance. While your GMI plan for worldwide coverage will not be affected by PPACA, you should review the information below to see if you are exempt from the requirements of PPACA or not, and whether you will have to pay a tax penalty or not. Under PPACA, all U.S. citizens, nationals and resident aliens will be required to purchase minimum essential coverage (PPACA compliant coverage), unless they are exempt. Exempt U.S. citizens include U.S. citizens who reside outside of the U.S. The exemption applies to a U.S. citizen who has a tax home (main place of work or employment, or if you don’t have a main place of work or employment, your main residence) in a foreign country, and is a bona fide resident of a foreign country. See details under the IRS foreign earned income exclusion test . If a person was required to purchase minimum essential coverage and did not, she/he would be required to pay a tax penalty for not purchasing PPACA coverage (if she/he files a U.S. tax return). In many cases, this tax is far less than the premiums that a person would pay for obtaining PPACA coverage.

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.

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Travel Insurance Comparison 2024: Top Single Trip and Annual Heymondo Covers Announced by Compare Before Buying

Compare Before Buying, an authoritative source for comparisons and reviews, has published an article that goes into detail about travel insurance options from Heymondo.

Boston - August 5, 2024 —

Compare Before Buying, an authoritative source for comparisons and reviews, has published an article that goes into detail about travel insurance options from Heymondo. The review explores the features of single-trip travel insurance and annual travel insurance, as well as the differences between them.

Heymondo is a dynamic travel insurance provider specializing in flexible and comprehensive insurance solutions. It provides coverage for a wide range of travel-related incidents including medical emergencies, trip cancellations, baggage loss, and more.

Heymondo collaborates with established insurance companies such as AXA, Starr Insurance, and emergency assistance providers, allowing the company to deliver reliable coverage and support.

Single-Trip and Multi-Trip Travel Insurance

Single-trip travel insurance offers coverage for a particular journey. Typically, it offers tailored protection for trips with specific risks and needs, as it allows for the selection of coverage that suits the unique aspects of each individual trip, such as higher coverage limits or special benefits for particular activities.

Meanwhile, annual travel insurance covers all trips within 12 months. This policy offers comprehensive protection without the need to purchase a new policy for each trip. Generally, it is more cost-effective and convenient.

Heymondo Single-Trip and Annual Travel Insurance

Compare Before Buying details Heymondo’s Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance , which offers extensive coverage for frequent travelers. The policy includes up to $100,000 in medical expense coverage and up to $2,000 for issues like luggage theft or damage. In serious situations requiring repatriation or early return, the policy covers up to $500,000. In addition, trip cancellation coverage up to $3,000 reimburses non-refundable costs if travel plans change unexpectedly.

Also, Compare Before Buying looks into Heymondo’s single-trip Travel Insurance , which provides comprehensive protection for individual journeys abroad. This policy offers up to $200,000 in medical expense coverage and up to $500,000 for repatriation and medical evacuation. For luggage theft and damage, coverage extends to $3,000, while trip cancellation is covered up to $10,000.

The complete selection of travel insurance options are available at the Heymondo website . A more extensive comparison of single-trip and annual travel insurance is available at the Compare Before Buying website .

About the company: Compare Before Buying provides news and reviews of consumer products and services.

Contact Info: Name: Andy Mathews Email: Send Email Organization: Compare Before Buying Website: https://www.comparebeforebuying.com/

Release ID: 89136759

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