Comprehensive coverage that protects your trip
Pros
- Offers eight distinct vacation insurance plans
- Tailored coverage for missionaries, seniors, and students participating in study abroad or cultural exchange programs
- Provides protection for trips lasting up to 180 days
- Many plans include coverage for preexisting conditions
Cons
- Premium plans come at a higher cost
- Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage is only available with the most expensive plan
About IMG Travel Insurance
IMG is a travel insurance provider that stands out with an extensive selection of 26 plans designed to accommodate various types of travelers, including vacationers and those on mission trips. While IMG’s policies come at a higher price compared to competitors, the wide range of coverage options ensures that travelers can find a plan tailored to their specific needs. For those seeking comprehensive and specialized protection, the added cost may be a worthwhile investment.
What is IMG Travel Insurance?
IMG, based in the U.S., provides worldwide travel insurance with a vast selection of over 60 plans, ensuring coverage for nearly any travel scenario. Established in 1990, IMG partners with SiriusPoint and Crum & Forster to underwrite its policies. SiriusPoint holds an A- Financial Strength Rating (FSR) from AM Best, while Crum & Forster carries an A rating, reflecting their strong financial stability.
Plans
IMG provides extensive travel insurance options tailored to a wide range of travelers, including expatriates, crew members, missionaries, frequent travelers, adventure seekers, and those needing coverage for a single trip. As a leading name in the travel insurance industry, IMG surpasses many competitors in plan variety, offering 26 policies designed for different travel needs, such as study abroad programs and mission trips.
While coverage details vary by plan, most include medical protection, ensuring travelers have essential support. Below are some common types of coverage found in IMG’s plans:
- Health Insurance Coverage: Depending on the selected plan, this can provide emergency medical coverage during travel or function as ongoing health insurance.
- Trip Cancellation & Interruption: Reimburses nonrefundable expenses if a trip is canceled or cut short for a covered reason.
- Emergency Evacuation: Covers transportation costs in case of a medical emergency or other urgent situations requiring evacuation.
- Baggage Insurance: Provides compensation for lost or delayed luggage, helping to cover the cost of replacement items.
Many of IMG’s plans focus primarily on travel medical coverage rather than trip protection, meaning they may not include all the benefits typically found in comprehensive travel insurance. However, these plans tend to be more affordable, making them a great option for travelers seeking medical coverage while keeping costs down.
For vacationers, IMG offers seven single-trip cancellation policies, two travel medical plans, and two annual multi-trip options. With a variety of choices, including budget-friendly coverage and a plan designed for adventure sports enthusiasts, travelers can find a policy that fits their needs. The Travel Lite plan stands out for maintaining competitive pricing, even for older travelers.
Trip Cancellation Insurance
Out of IMG’s 26 travel insurance plans, only six are specifically designed for trip cancellation coverage, offered under the iTravelInsured brand.
| GT | Lite | Choice | SE | Sport | LX | |
| Trip cancellation | 100% of trip cost (Max $30K) | 100% of trip cost | 100% of trip cost | 100% of trip cost | 100% of trip cost | 100% of trip cost |
| Trip interruption | 125% of trip cost | 125% of trip cost | 150% of trip cost | 150% of trip cost | 125% of trip cost | 150% of trip cost |
| Travel delay | Up to $600 for 12+ hour delay ($150 daily) | Up to $500 for 12+ hour delay ($125 daily) | Up to $1K for 6+ hour delay
($150 daily) | $2K for 12+ hour delay
($125 daily) | $5K for 6+ hour delay
($250 daily) | $2.5K for 6+ hour delay
($250 daily) |
| Baggage delay | $200, covered after a 24-hour delay | $150, for 24- hour delay | $300, for 6+ hour delay | $250, for 12+ hour delay | $750, for 9+ hour delay ($100 daily) | $500, for 12+ hour delay |
| Baggage & personal items loss | $1.5K, $250 per item | $750, $250 per item | $1K, $250 per item | $1.5K, $250 per item | $3K, $250 per item; $5K for sports equipment rental | $2.5K, $250 per item; $2K for sports equipment rental |
| Missed connection | Up to $500 ($125 daily) | Not included | $500, for 6+ hour delay | $500, for 6+ hour delay | N/A | $500, for 6+ hour delay |
| Emergency medical | $25K (secondary coverage) | $100K (secondary coverage) | $100K (primary coverage) | $250K (primary coverage) | $250K (secondary coverage) | $500K (primary coverage) |
| Preexisting condition | Covered if purchased within 20 days of placing initial trip deposit | Not covered | Covered if purchased within 21 days of placing initial trip deposit | Covered if purchased within 20 days of placing initial trip deposit | Covered if purchased within 21 days of placing trip deposit | Covered if purchased within 21 days of placing trip deposit |
| Medical evacuation, repatriation | $100K | $100K | $500K | $500K | $1 million | $1 million |
| Accidental death & dismemberment | Not covered | Not covered | $10K | $25K | $25K | $100K |
| Cancel for Any Reason | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 75% of trip cost (must be purchased within 20 days of placing trip deposit) |
Travel Medical Insurance
IMG also offers a range of travel medical insurance plans for U.S. residents traveling abroad. These policies focus more on medical coverage and lack extensive trip cancellation or baggage protection, making them a more affordable option compared to the iTravelInsured products. Here are the key benefits of IMG’s Patriot travel medical insurance:
| Lite | Platinum | |
| Policy limit | $1 million | $8 million |
| Policy duration | 5 days to 12 months – renewable for up to 24 months | 5 days to 12 months – renewable for up to 36 months |
| Trip interruption | Not covered | Optional add-on |
| Trip cancellation | Not available | Optional add-on |
| Travel medical | $50K to $1 million (secondary) | $2 million to $8 million (secondary) |
| Lost luggage | Up to $500 ($50 per item) | Up to $500 ($50 per item) |
| Medical evacuation | Up to $1 million | Up to $8 million |
| Deductible options | · $0
· $100 · $250 · $500 · $1,000 · $2,500 | · $0
· $100 · $250 · $500 · $1,000 · $2,500 · $5,000 · $10,000 · $25,000 |
Annual Travel Insurance
IMG provides two annual travel insurance plans that cover an unlimited number of trips within a 12-month period. The Patriot Multi-Trip International plan offers broader coverage, while the GlobeHopper Senior Multi-Trip plan is specifically tailored for older travelers. Both plans include the following benefits:
| Patriot Multi-Trip International | GlobeHopper Senior Multi-Trip | |
| Trip duration | Days: 30, 60, 90 | Days: 30, 45 |
| Trip cancellation | Not covered | Not covered |
| Trip interruption | Not covered | Up to $5K |
| Travel medical coverage | $1 million for travelers up to 69 years old; $50K for travelers aged 70-79 | $50K to $1 million for travelers 65-79; $100K for travelers aged 80+ |
| Medical evacuation | Up to $1 million | Up to $250K |
| Lost luggage | Up to $500 ($150 per item) | Up to $250 ($50 per item) |
| Deductible | $250 for covered illness; None for covered accident | $0
$100 $250 $500 $1,000 $2,500 |
| AD&D | $50K | $25K |
Additional Coverage Options
In addition to its main vacation plans, IMG provides several specialized policies for different travel needs:
- Visitors Coverage: Designed for international travelers coming to the United States, this insurance offers protection during their stay.
- Student Travel Insurance: IMG offers coverage for students studying abroad, including medical expenses and evacuation services.
- Expat Insurance: IMG also provides long-term international medical insurance for individuals and families living abroad for extended periods (1 year or more).
- Mission/Social Work Insurance: These policies are tailored for individuals traveling for mission work or international outreach, covering necessary medical expenses.
Pricing
The premium for travel insurance varies depending on factors such as the travelers’ age, destination, and total trip costs. On average, travel insurance typically costs between 4% and 8% of your total travel expenses. After providing some personal details, such as your age, state of residence, and trip information (including travel dates, destination, and trip costs), you’ll receive an instant quote for available IMG plans. From there, you can easily compare the options based on your coverage requirements and budget
To give an idea of IMG coverage costs, let’s look at an example. A 23-year-old from Illinois planning a week-long, $3,000 trip to Italy would receive the following travel insurance quotes:
| iTravelInsured Travel Choice | $72.90 |
| iTravelInsured Travel Lite | $90.40 |
| iTravelInsured Travel SE | $108.46 |
| iTravelInsured Travel LX | $196.04 |
| iTravelInsured Travel Sport | $199.83 |
These premiums range between 2.4% and 6.7% of the trip’s total cost, which falls within the typical price range for travel insurance.
For a 30-year-old traveler from California planning a two-week, $4,000 trip to Japan, IMG provides the following insurance quotes:
| iTravelInsured Travel Choice | $109.14 |
| iTravelInsured Travel Lite | $121.27 |
| iTravelInsured Travel SE | $145.48 |
| iTravelInsured Travel LX | $251.66 |
| iTravelInsured Travel Sport | $254.32 |
The premiums for these plans range from 2.7% to 6.4% of the total trip cost, which is in line with or below the typical cost range for travel insurance.
For a Texas family with two 40-year-old parents and children aged 10 and 4, planning a two-week, $20,000 trip to Australia, IMG provides the following travel insurance quotes:
| iTravelInsured Travel Choice | $514.84 |
| iTravelInsured Travel Lite | $707.80 |
| iTravelInsured Travel SE | $864.24 |
| iTravelInsured Travel LX | $1,355.18 |
| iTravelInsured Travel Sport | $1,317.16 |
The premiums for this trip range between 2.6% and 6.8% of the total trip cost, which is within or below the typical range for travel insurance.
For a 65-year-old couple from New Jersey planning a two-week trip to Mexico with a total cost of $6,000, IMG offers the following insurance quotes:
The premiums for this trip range from 5% to 11.8% of the total trip cost, which is generally higher than the average cost of travel insurance. Older travelers typically face higher insurance rates, and while IMG’s pricing for this age group is higher than for younger travelers, it remains more affordable compared to some competitors.
Annual Travel Insurance
Here are some quotes for IMG’s annual plans:
For a 35-year-old from Ohio, the cost for the Patriot Multi-Trip plan with a 30-day maximum trip length is $282. The price remains the same regardless of age but varies based on the chosen trip length: the 60-day plan costs $423, and the 90-day plan is priced at $564.
For a 70-year-old from Ohio, the GlobeHopper Senior Multi-Trip policy with a 30-day maximum trip length is priced at $272.13. This plan also does not change based on the traveler’s age, but the 45-day maximum trip length option is slightly more expensive, costing $340.16.
How to Purchase and Manage Travel Insurance Policy?
To get a quote for IMG travel insurance, visit their website and provide details about yourself and your trip, including travel dates, your primary destination, information about the traveler(s) such as age, sex, citizenship, residence, and state, as well as the total trip cost. Once you submit this information, you’ll receive quotes for all IMG plans that apply to your situation. IMG policies also come with a 10-day free-look period, allowing you to cancel the policy and receive a full refund, as long as your trip hasn’t begun and no claims have been filed.
How to File a Claim?
To file a claim with IMG, you must do so within 30 days of the loss. Claims are processed through IMG’s claims center, and you can reach customer service or the claims center 24/7 at 866-347-6673 or 1-866-243-7524, respectively. Claims forms and information can be mailed to:
IMG iTravelInsured Claims
PO Box 3231
Farmington Hills, Michigan 48333-3231
Alternatively, you can email your claim to itravelclaims@imglobal.com. IMG is required to pay your claim within 30 days of receiving your proof of loss. If payment is not made within this period, your claim will start accruing interest at a rate of 6% APY until the payment is processed.
Coverage Exclusions
The coverage provided by IMG varies depending on the plan you choose. For example, the iTravelInsured Travel LX plan includes rental car insurance, while the iTravelInsured Travel Lite and iTravelInsured Travel SE plans do not. Regardless of the plan, IMG policies generally exclude coverage for events such as epidemics, severe storms (once they’ve been named), participation in amateur or professional sporting competitions, and activities carried out under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Conclusion
IMG offers a wide variety of plan options, ensuring that nearly every travel situation is covered. However, these plans can be costly, so it’s important to carefully evaluate whether the coverage justifies the expense based on your specific needs. The right plan for you will depend on your trip’s nature. If you plan to travel multiple times within the year, it’s worth comparing the cost of purchasing several single-trip policies against buying an annual plan, as the latter may offer better value and save you money.
