International Medical Group Travel Insurance 2026: IMG Plans, Coverage & Claims

2026 IMG plan guide · trip protection, medical coverage, evacuation and claims

International Medical Group Travel Insurance: Choose the Coverage Before You Compare the Price

International Medical Group, usually called IMG, sells several different types of international insurance. The biggest mistake travelers make is treating all of them as the same product.

IMG’s iTravelInsured plans are designed around protecting the money invested in a trip and can include cancellation, interruption, delay, baggage and medical benefits. Its Patriot plans are temporary travel medical policies built primarily around unexpected illness, injury and medical evacuation while traveling outside your home country.

This guide compares those paths, explains current benefit limits, pre-existing-condition wording, deductibles, provider networks, claims deadlines and what to do during a medical emergency so you can understand the policy before using IMG’s live quote system.

Quick answer: Buy an iTravelInsured plan when your main concern includes losing prepaid trip money because of a covered cancellation or interruption. Consider a Patriot travel medical plan when your main concern is paying for unexpected medical treatment and evacuation outside your home country.
Do not compare IMG plans using benefit numbers alone. The insurance contract issued for your state or jurisdiction controls coverage. Eligibility, exclusions, definitions, benefit limits and optional add-ons can differ by residence and plan version.
Company history

IMG has provided global insurance and assistance services since 1990.

Trip insurance

iTravelInsured protects eligible trip and travel losses.

Travel medical

Patriot focuses on temporary medical protection abroad.

Claims

MyIMG is the primary online claim system.

Assistance

IMG publishes 24/7 emergency assistance services.

Start here

Which type of International Medical Group travel insurance do you actually need?

TRIP PROTECTION You have expensive prepaid travel

Choose the iTravelInsured side when protecting non-refundable flights, hotels, cruises, tours or other prepaid trip costs is a major concern.

Look at: iTravelInsured Choice, Travel SE, Travel LX or Travel Lite.
TRAVEL MEDICAL You mainly need health coverage abroad

Choose the Patriot side when the priority is temporary medical insurance outside your home country, including emergency medical treatment and evacuation.

Look at: Patriot Lite, Patriot Plus or Patriot Platinum.
VISITING USA / CANADA / MEXICO You are visiting North America

IMG has America-focused Patriot plans and visitor-specific products. Visitors Protect deserves special attention when limited coverage for ongoing pre-existing conditions is a major requirement.

Look at: Patriot America options or Visitors Protect, depending on your medical history and coverage priorities.
Example: A traveler from India visiting the United States for three months who mainly wants protection from a major hospital bill has a different need from a U.S. family that prepaid $18,000 for a European cruise and wants cancellation protection. IMG offers products for both situations, but they should not be compared as though they are identical.

Go directly to the insurance question you need answered

The major benefit rules and claim workflows are explained below. Use IMG’s website mainly for state-specific contracts, live prices, enrollment and active-member transactions.

Most important distinction

IMG travel insurance vs. IMG travel medical insurance

Do not buy until you understand this difference
Feature iTravelInsured travel insurance Patriot travel medical insurance
Main purpose Protect eligible prepaid trip costs and travel disruptions. Protect against eligible medical expenses while outside the home country.
Trip cancellation Core benefit for covered reasons on current iTravelInsured products. Do not assume it is included. Patriot is primarily medical coverage.
Trip interruption Included subject to plan limits and covered reasons. Not the main purpose of the standard medical product.
Medical treatment Included up to the selected travel-plan limit. Primary reason for purchasing the plan.
Evacuation Available with plan-specific limits. Major benefit, with limits reaching very high levels on Platinum.
Baggage / delay Common travel-insurance benefit. Not the central reason to choose the medical plan.
Best starting point Expensive prepaid vacation, cruise, domestic or international trip. International traveler, U.S. visitor, business traveler or family needing short-term medical cover abroad.
There is also a third category: IMG sells international health insurance for expatriates and global citizens who live or work overseas. A short Patriot travel policy is not the same thing as annually renewable international private medical insurance.
Protecting the trip investment

IMG iTravelInsured plans compared

IMG currently highlights Choice, Travel SE and Travel LX as popular travel-insurance products, with Travel Lite and other plans also available. The figures below are planning references from IMG’s current product summaries; the policy issued for your state controls.

Current IMG travel-insurance benefit comparison
Plan Emergency medical Medical evacuation Trip cancellation Trip interruption Telehealth
iTravelInsured Lite Up to $100,000 per person Up to $500,000 per person Up to 100% of insured trip cost Up to 125% of trip cost Not included in the current summary
iTravelInsured Choice Up to $100,000 per person Up to $500,000 per person Up to 100% of trip cost Up to 150% of trip cost Included
iTravelInsured Travel SE IMG’s main comparison currently lists $250,000 Up to $500,000 per person Up to 100% of trip cost Up to 150% of trip cost Included
iTravelInsured Travel LX Up to $500,000 Up to $1,000,000 per person Up to 100% of trip cost Up to 150% of trip cost Included
Why we do not treat this table as your policy: IMG warns that benefits can vary by state, including New York and Washington. Product pages are summaries. Your Certificate of Insurance, policy, riders and state-specific documents are the actual source of coverage.

A practical way to narrow the plans

Budget-focused trip protection

Travel Lite can suit a traveler who primarily wants cancellation and interruption protection plus a lower layer of travel medical coverage.

Balanced vacation coverage

Choice is designed for families, couples, solo travelers, weekend travel, cruises and other common trips.

Higher medical / evacuation limits

Travel LX is positioned toward travelers wanting stronger benefit maximums, including trips to remote or expensive destinations.

Temporary medical insurance

IMG Patriot travel medical plans compared

Patriot plans are designed for individuals and families who need temporary medical protection while traveling outside their home country.

Patriot travel medical planning guide
Plan level Medical maximum Deductible choices Evacuation Coverage length Useful distinction
Patriot Lite Up to $1,000,000 $0 to $2,500 Up to $1,000,000 5 days to 12 months; renewable up to 24 months Lower-cost short-term medical option; telehealth is currently an optional add-on.
Patriot Plus Up to $1,000,000 $0 to $2,500 Up to $1,000,000 Extensions can reach 24 months America Plus includes acute-onset pre-existing-condition benefits subject to age and contract rules.
Patriot Platinum Up to $8,000,000 $0 to $25,000 Up to the plan maximum 5 days to 12 months; renewable up to 36 months Highest Patriot benefit level; telehealth and additional assistance features are included.

America or International?

Patriot America

Designed for a traveler outside the home country whose destination includes the United States or its territories.

Patriot International

Designed for travel outside the home country when the destination excludes the United States and its territories, subject to limited incidental U.S. provisions described in the contract.

Useful family example: A U.S.-based person purchasing medical coverage for parents visiting from India should not automatically buy Patriot International simply because the parents are international travelers. Because the destination includes the United States, the America-side products are the relevant starting category.
Visitors with medical history

When IMG Visitors Protect deserves a separate comparison

Visitors Protect is specifically designed for individuals and families traveling from their home country to the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Medical maximum

Current options are $50,000, $100,000 or $250,000 through age 69. For age 70 and older, the published maximum is $50,000.

Pre-existing-condition benefit

IMG currently lists up to $25,000 through age 69 and $20,000 for age 70 and older, subject to the special deductible and policy language.

Coverage period

The current product summary lists periods from 90 days through 12 months.

This benefit is not unlimited chronic-care insurance. Visitors Protect has specific limits, deductible and coinsurance rules. Read its full contract before assuming routine treatment, medications or ongoing management of an existing condition will be reimbursed.
Often misunderstood

How pre-existing conditions work with IMG travel insurance

“Pre-existing condition covered” can mean very different things depending on the IMG product.

TRIP INSURANCE Pre-existing-condition waiver

Selected iTravelInsured plans can have waiver provisions when all contract requirements are met. Purchase timing and other eligibility requirements matter.

Do not assume the waiver applies just because you bought the policy before departure.
PATRIOT MEDICAL Acute onset

Some Patriot plans may cover an acute onset of a pre-existing condition for eligible travelers, often subject to an under-age-70 condition.

Acute onset is not the same thing as full coverage for a chronic pre-existing illness.
VISITORS PROTECT Separate pre-existing benefit

Visitors Protect provides specified benefits for pre-existing conditions for travelers to the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

Separate deductible, maximum and coinsurance rules apply.
Plain-English acute-onset test: IMG describes acute onset as a sudden, unexpected and rapidly developing recurrence that requires urgent medical treatment. A chronic or congenital condition that gradually worsens is not treated the same way.
Question to ask before purchasing for a parent with diabetes, hypertension or heart disease
“Does this plan cover only acute onset of a pre-existing condition, or does it have a separate pre-existing-condition benefit? What is the maximum, deductible, age restriction and definition that applies to my state and traveler?”
Before departure

What IMG trip-cancellation coverage actually means

Standard trip cancellation does not mean that you can change your mind for any reason and automatically receive your trip money back.

The cancellation must normally result from a reason defined as covered in the insurance contract.

Illness or injury

A covered sickness or injury affecting the insured traveler or another covered person may trigger benefits when the policy conditions are met.

Severe weather

Certain weather events can qualify when the exact policy definition and timing requirements are satisfied.

Other covered events

IMG cites examples such as qualifying job loss, traffic accidents, death of a family member, military obligations and certain pregnancy-related events, depending on the plan.

Known event problem: Insurance is designed for unforeseen events. Waiting until a hurricane is already named, a family member is already hospitalized or another known event exists can affect whether a later loss is insurable.

When coverage starts

IMG says trip-cancellation coverage generally begins at 12:01 AM on the day after the appropriate premium is received. Most other travel-insurance benefits start when the insured departs on the first travel arrangement.

Broader cancellation option

IMG Cancel For Any Reason coverage explained

Cancel For Any Reason, usually shortened to CFAR, is designed for cancellations that do not qualify under standard covered reasons.

IMG currently offers optional CFAR with selected iTravelInsured Choice, Travel SE and Travel LX configurations. IMG says it is bundled with Interruption For Any Reason, or IFAR, and additional premium and conditions apply.
CFAR is an optional benefit, not automatic standard coverage
It reimburses only a portion of eligible non-refundable trip cost
Purchase timing requirements apply
Cancellation timing requirements apply
The trip must meet the add-on’s eligibility conditions
IMG states CFAR is not available to New York residents
Do not pay for CFAR without checking your concern. If the reason worrying you is already a standard covered reason, you may be paying extra for flexibility you do not need. If the reason is not covered by the standard plan, CFAR may become much more important.
If you become sick abroad

What to do when you need medical care with IMG insurance

Use emergency services first when the situation is life-threatening Insurance authorization should never delay emergency care when a traveler faces a potentially life-threatening condition.
Open your IMG ID card and insurance documents Confirm the plan name, policy number, emergency-assistance details and PPO network shown on the card.
Contact IMG when reasonably possible IMG can help verify coverage, identify an appropriate provider and explain whether direct billing may be possible.
Use the right provider network Inside the United States, check the PPO network shown on the ID card. Outside the U.S., search IMG’s International Provider Access database.
Ask whether precertification is required Hospital admission, evacuation, advanced procedures or other services may require prior notification or approval under the contract.
Keep every document Save medical notes, diagnosis information, itemized bills, proof of payment, prescriptions and any IMG authorization or case numbers.
Submit unreimbursed eligible expenses through MyIMG If the provider does not bill IMG directly, the traveler may need to pay and request reimbursement.
Do not assume showing an IMG ID card means the provider will automatically accept direct payment. Provider billing arrangements differ. Confirm direct billing with both the provider and IMG when possible.
High-cost travel risk

Emergency medical evacuation is not simply “a flight home”

Medical evacuation coverage is designed to transport an insured traveler when medically necessary under the contract. The destination, method of transport and approval process are controlled by the benefit wording—not simply by the traveler’s preference.

Patriot Lite

The current plan summary lists emergency medical evacuation up to $1 million.

Patriot Platinum

The current summary lists evacuation benefits up to the selected plan maximum, which can reach several million dollars.

iTravelInsured LX

The current trip-insurance comparison lists medical evacuation up to $1 million per person.

Approval matters. IMG plan documents can require the company to approve and coordinate an evacuation. Organizing an expensive private evacuation yourself and expecting reimbursement later can create a major coverage problem.
Doctor and hospital search

How to find an IMG provider without assuming every doctor is in network

Inside the United States

IMG tells members to check the PPO network printed on their ID card. Current member resources can route eligible plans to networks such as UnitedHealthcare or First Health.

Confirm participation with the physician office because provider-network data can change.

Outside the United States

IMG’s International Provider Access database lists physicians and facilities worldwide.

Providers marked for direct billing can submit eligible medical expenses through the IMG arrangement, potentially reducing the amount the traveler must pay upfront.

Provider-search shortcut: Do not call a U.S. physician and ask, “Do you take IMG?” Instead say, “My IMG plan uses the [network shown on ID card] network. Are you currently participating in that network at this location?”
Before expensive treatment

Precertification can change how much IMG pays

Some IMG plans require the insured to contact IMG before certain non-emergency services. The exact list is plan-specific.

Hospital admission Check the contract and contact IMG as early as reasonably possible.
Medical evacuation Do not independently arrange a costly evacuation unless an emergency makes prior communication impossible and the contract allows it.
Advanced testing or treatment Ask IMG whether the planned procedure requires precertification before it occurs.
Provider says “insurance should cover it” Provider acceptance is not the same as benefit approval. Confirm the insurance requirement separately.
Visitors Protect example: IMG’s current summary warns that failure to satisfy its precertification rules can reduce eligible medical expenses, and an unapproved emergency medical evacuation can result in no coverage for that evacuation. This is why the policy must be checked before expensive non-emergency treatment.
MyIMG workflow

How to file an International Medical Group travel insurance claim

IMG states that the fastest and most convenient route for both trip and medical claims is the MyIMG member portal.

Trip-protection claim

Identify whether it is a trip claim IMG says policies beginning with “TC” use the trip-claim process. These include iTravelInsured trip-protection plans.
Notify IMG quickly IMG currently asks customers to report a loss as soon as reasonably possible, with a maximum notice period of 30 days from the original loss date.
Protect yourself from additional loss Cancel affected reservations promptly when necessary and request supplier refunds or credits that are still available.
Collect trip proof IMG requires documentation such as invoices, itinerary or confirmation showing travel dates, destination and trip details.
Collect proof of the covered reason Depending on the claim, this can include medical evidence, airline information, weather documentation, employer evidence or other proof.
Submit through MyIMG Open Claims, select Submit a Claim and complete the guided process.
Meet the filing deadline IMG currently instructs trip customers to submit the actual claim within the applicable 90-day period after the loss.
Save the tracking number MyIMG provides confirmation and allows the member to follow claim updates.

Travel medical claim

IMG currently says medical claims under Patriot travel medical and other international health products must generally be filed within 180 days of treatment.
Itemized provider bill
Medical or diagnosis documentation
Proof of payment when you paid the provider
IMG ID or policy information
Any required claim questionnaire
Other insurance explanation when secondary coverage applies
Claim troubleshooting

IMG claim delayed or requesting more documents? Check these first

The medical bill is not itemized Ask the hospital or clinic for a statement showing individual services rather than only the total balance.
IMG says another insurer must process first Your plan may be secondary coverage. Submit the claim to the primary insurer and provide its explanation of benefits or denial to IMG.
Trip cancellation has no supplier refund proof Document what the airline, hotel, cruise line or tour company refunded, credited or refused to refund.
The cause of cancellation is unclear Provide documentation connecting the loss to a covered reason defined by the policy.
IMG requests a condition-history form This can occur when the claim raises questions about whether symptoms or treatment existed before the effective date.
You arranged treatment without precertification Review the contract immediately. Some benefits can be reduced when required precertification was not completed.
The provider balance is still open Ask whether the provider billed IMG directly or is waiting for payment from you. Do not assume a pending claim automatically freezes provider billing.
You uploaded documents but status has not changed Use the claim tracking number when contacting IMG so staff can locate the existing file rather than creating a duplicate claim.
Primary vs secondary

Why the words “primary” and “secondary” matter on IMG plans

Primary coverage

IMG defines primary coverage as insurance that can process eligible expenses without first requiring another insurance policy to pay.

IMG currently identifies iTravelInsured Choice as primary coverage.

Secondary or excess coverage

When coverage is secondary, another applicable insurer generally processes the expense first. IMG then considers eligible remaining expenses according to its contract.

Patriot Lite and several visitor/travel medical products are currently described as secondary coverage.

Why travelers notice this during a claim: Secondary coverage can create an extra paperwork step because IMG may need the primary insurer’s explanation of benefits or denial before it can determine the remaining eligible amount.
No single fixed premium

How much does International Medical Group travel insurance cost?

IMG uses a live quote process rather than publishing one universal premium because the price changes with the trip and traveler.

01
Traveler age

Medical risk and available benefit limits can change substantially with age.

02
Destination

A U.S.-inclusive medical policy is different from a plan covering travel that excludes the United States.

03
Travel dates

Longer medical coverage generally creates a different premium from a short vacation.

04
Trip cost

Travel-insurance premiums are affected by the amount of prepaid non-refundable trip cost being insured.

05
Medical maximum

Choosing $100,000 of medical coverage is different from selecting a multimillion-dollar maximum.

06
Deductible

Travel medical products offer several deductible choices that affect both premium and out-of-pocket exposure.

07
Optional benefits

CFAR, enhanced medical, telehealth or other available add-ons can increase the plan cost.

08
Residence

State and jurisdiction can change plan wording, available benefits and eligibility.

09
Plan type

A medical-only Patriot plan is priced differently from an iTravelInsured policy covering a large prepaid trip investment.

A cheaper premium can hide a much larger financial risk. Before choosing a high deductible or lower medical maximum, consider the medical costs of the destination and whether you could comfortably pay the deductible plus non-covered expenses yourself.
10-day review examples

Can you cancel an IMG policy after buying it?

Refund rules depend on the product and contract.

Current IMG pages for iTravelInsured Choice and iTravelInsured Lite state that customers can request a full plan refund within 10 days of purchase as long as they have not departed and have not filed a claim. Those pages state that the plan becomes non-refundable after the 10-day period.

Do not apply that 10-day rule automatically to every IMG product. Read the refund or free-look provision in the exact plan you purchased because state and product rules can differ.
Purchase checklist

Read these 12 items before buying IMG travel insurance

Is the product travel insurance or travel medical insurance?
Does the destination include the United States?
What medical maximum applies at the traveler’s age?
Is the deductible per coverage period or per illness/injury?
Is the medical benefit primary or secondary?
What does the policy define as a pre-existing condition?
Is there only acute-onset coverage?
Does the plan have a pre-existing-condition waiver?
Which services require precertification?
Does standard cancellation cover your actual concern?
Do you need CFAR or another optional benefit?
What documents and deadline apply if a claim occurs?
Best purchase habit: Download the plan document immediately after purchase and store it with the IMG ID card, assistance number and MyIMG login. Do not wait until a hospital visit or cancelled flight to learn what the policy requires.
Traveler scenarios

Which IMG plan family should different travelers investigate first?

Scenario-based starting points — not personalized insurance recommendations
Traveler Main risk IMG starting point Critical question
U.S. family taking an expensive cruise Losing prepaid trip cost plus overseas medical expenses iTravelInsured Choice, SE or LX Do you need CFAR and what amount of medical/evacuation coverage is comfortable?
Parents visiting the U.S. from India Large U.S. hospital bill Patriot America series How are pre-existing conditions handled at their ages?
Older visitor with diabetes and hypertension Pre-existing-condition treatment in North America Compare Visitors Protect carefully What exact pre-existing-condition maximum, deductible and coinsurance apply?
U.S. traveler going to Europe Unexpected medical treatment abroad Patriot International Do existing U.S. health benefits already cover international care?
Remote adventure trip High-cost medical treatment or evacuation Compare higher-limit Patriot Platinum or Travel LX benefits Are the planned activities excluded?
Long-term expatriate Ongoing healthcare rather than a temporary trip IMG international health insurance Is annual private medical insurance more appropriate than temporary travel medical?
Travel-day preparation

What IMG members should save before leaving home

IMG insurance ID card
Full insurance contract or certificate
MyIMG username and recovery email
24/7 assistance information from the ID card
PPO network name for U.S. treatment
Provider-search bookmark
Trip invoice and itinerary
Receipts for major prepaid travel costs
Medication list and allergy information
Copies of prescriptions for essential medication
Offline tip: Save the ID card and plan PDF directly to the phone rather than relying only on cloud storage. An airport, remote road or hospital may have unreliable internet access.
IMG Mobile and MyIMG

What IMG members can manage online

01
ID cards

Access and download plan identification documents.

02
Plan documents

Review the actual contract that controls coverage.

03
Provider search

Search U.S. networks or international providers based on the plan.

04
Precertification

Selected members can initiate or manage precertification activity.

05
Claims

Submit new claims through MyIMG and monitor existing claim status.

06
Travel alerts

Eligible IMG Mobile users can receive location-based travel intelligence and security alerts.

Company and underwriting

Who is actually behind International Medical Group insurance?

IMG says it has provided global insurance benefits and assistance services since 1990 and serves members in more than 190 countries.

IMG administers and markets multiple insurance products, but the actual insurance underwriter can depend on the specific product and the insured’s state or jurisdiction.

SiriusPoint

IMG is owned by SiriusPoint. IMG’s current company information identifies SiriusPoint among its insurance underwriters and financial-support relationships.

United States Fire Insurance Company

Selected iTravelInsured state-specific plans can be underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company, part of the Crum & Forster group.

Why this matters: The name “IMG” on the website does not mean every policy has identical underwriting or wording. Read the declarations and policy issued to you to identify the insurer responsible for the insurance coverage.
Corporate contact

International Medical Group contact information

IMG main contact

+1 317-655-4500

9200 Keystone Crossing
Suite 800
Indianapolis, IN 46240
USA
Travel-plan component information

+1 317-655-9796

insurance@imglobal.com

Do not mail a claim to the Indianapolis corporate address unless your IMG documents specifically tell you to. IMG instructs members to use the mailing, fax or electronic submission information shown in their plan or claim documents.
IMG headquarters

International Medical Group headquarters map

This is a corporate office, not a traveler medical clinic. Travelers receive care from hospitals and physicians in their destination and use IMG for insurance administration, provider assistance and claims.
10 traveler questions

International Medical Group travel insurance FAQs

What is International Medical Group travel insurance?

IMG offers both iTravelInsured trip-protection products and Patriot travel medical policies. The correct category depends on whether you primarily need trip-cost protection, temporary medical coverage abroad or both.

What is the difference between IMG travel insurance and travel medical insurance?

iTravelInsured products focus on trip cancellation, interruption, delays, baggage and related benefits while also providing medical coverage. Patriot travel medical policies focus primarily on medical treatment and evacuation outside the home country.

Which IMG plan is for a visitor coming to the United States?

Patriot America plans are designed for travel outside the home country when the destination includes the United States. Visitors Protect is another option for travel to the U.S., Canada and Mexico and has a separate limited pre-existing-condition benefit.

Does IMG cover trip cancellation?

Current iTravelInsured plans include trip-cancellation coverage for eligible losses caused by reasons defined as covered in the contract. Simply changing your mind is not standard trip cancellation.

Does IMG offer Cancel For Any Reason?

IMG currently offers CFAR as an optional add-on with selected Choice, Travel SE and Travel LX configurations. Additional premium and timing requirements apply, and IMG states that CFAR is unavailable to New York residents.

Does IMG cover pre-existing medical conditions?

It depends on the product. Some plans may have a waiver, some Patriot plans cover only acute onset under specified conditions, and Visitors Protect has a separate limited pre-existing-condition benefit.

How do I find an IMG doctor?

Use the provider search in IMG’s member resources or MyIMG. In the United States, use the PPO network printed on the IMG ID card. Outside the U.S., use IMG’s International Provider Access database and look for direct-billing information.

How do I file an IMG claim?

IMG recommends filing through MyIMG. Select Claims, choose Submit a Claim and provide the requested trip, medical, payment and loss documentation.

How long do I have to file an IMG claim?

Current IMG instructions say trip losses should be reported promptly and no later than 30 days, with the claim generally submitted within 90 days. Medical claims under travel medical products are generally due within 180 days of treatment. Your own policy controls.

How much does IMG travel insurance cost?

There is no universal price. Traveler age, destination, duration, insured trip cost, medical maximum, deductible, plan and optional benefits influence the live quote.

Final live actions

Use IMG directly only when the action must be live

The important plan differences, claim deadlines and coverage concepts are explained above. Use IMG’s official systems below for personalized quotes, state-specific policy wording, enrollment, provider searches and claims.

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