You’ve spent months planning the perfect getaway, but what happens if you suddenly fall ill the day before departure?
Or if a close family member has a medical emergency while you’re away?
Without proper coverage, you could lose thousands in non-refundable expenses.
After reviewing hundreds of travel insurance claims over my 20+ years in the industry, I can tell you that trip cancellations and interruptions are among the most common reasons travelers file claims.
The right policy can make all the difference between a complete financial loss and a refund of your pre-paid expenses.
In this article...
Plan Overview
The IMG iTravelInsured Travel Lite plan is designed specifically for budget-conscious travelers seeking basic protection for their trip investments. It offers coverage for trip cancellation, interruption, medical emergencies, and baggage delay while serving as secondary coverage to your existing insurance.
This entry-level plan from IMG provides essential coverage for domestic and international travelers without the premium price tag of more comprehensive plans. It’s particularly suited for travelers with minimal pre-paid expenses who primarily want protection against trip cancellation and basic medical emergencies.
About the Company
International Medical Group (IMG) has been providing travel insurance solutions since 1990 and has established a solid reputation in the industry. Their iTravelInsured line represents their premier travel protection products, designed to serve various traveler needs.
The Travel Lite plan is underwritten by either United States Fire Insurance Company or SiriusPoint America Insurance Company, depending on your state of residence. United States Fire Insurance Company maintains an A (Excellent) rating from AM Best.
IMG sells policies directly through their website and through various travel agencies and online marketplaces. They’re known for their 24/7 multilingual emergency assistance services and worldwide claims handling capabilities.
Recommended Plans
Up to $2,000,000 of Overall Maximum Coverage, Emergency Medical Evacuation, Medical coverage for eligible expenses related to COVID-19, Trip Interruption & Travel Delay.
Coverage for in-patient and out-patient medical accidents up to $1 Million, Coverage of acute episodes of pre-existing conditions, Coverage from 5 days to 364 days (about 12 months).
Up to $8,000,000 limits, Emergency Medical Evacuation, Coinsurance for treatment received in the U.S. (100% within PPO Network), Acute Onset of Pre-Existing Conditions covered.
Features
| Coverage Type | Benefit Limit |
|---|---|
| Trip Cancellation | Up to 100% of trip cost (max $25,000) |
| Trip Interruption | Up to 100% of trip cost |
| Emergency Medical | $100,000 per person |
| Emergency Evacuation | $500,000 per person |
| Baggage Loss | $750 per person |
| Baggage Delay | $150 (after 24-hour delay) |
| Travel Delay | $500 ($125/day after 12 hours) |
Ideal Buyer Profile
The iTravelInsured Travel Lite plan is perfect for:
- Budget-conscious travelers looking for basic protection
- Those taking domestic trips or simple international vacations
- Travelers with minimal pre-paid, non-refundable expenses (under $10,000)
- Individuals seeking basic medical coverage while traveling
- Those who already have some coverage through credit cards but want additional protection
It’s not suitable for travelers planning expensive trips, those engaging in adventure activities, or travelers with pre-existing medical conditions requiring coverage.
Coverage Details
The Travel Lite plan focuses on essential travel protection:
Trip Cancellation: Having travel insurance with a trip cancellation benefit can help you to avoid losing the money you’ve invested in a trip you can no longer take. iTravelInsured Lite covers up to 100% trip cost. This benefit applies if you need to cancel for covered reasons like illness, injury, or death of you or a family member.
Emergency Medical: Accident and Sickness medical expense covered up to $100,000. This provides protection if you fall ill or get injured during your trip, though it serves as secondary coverage to your primary health insurance.
Emergency Evacuation: Medical evacuation and Repatriation of Remains covered up to $500,000. This crucial benefit covers transportation to the nearest appropriate medical facility or back home if medically necessary.
Baggage Protection: Covers lost, stolen, or damaged baggage up to $750, with a 24-hour baggage delay benefit of $150 to purchase essentials when your luggage is delayed.
Travel Delay: Provides $125 per day (maximum $500) if your trip is delayed for 12+ hours due to covered reasons, helping cover extra accommodation and meal costs.
💡 Personal Note: I recommended this plan to a client traveling to Florida last year when her budget was tight. She ended up needing medical attention for a severe ear infection, and while the plan worked as secondary coverage to her primary health insurance, she still had to pay out of pocket initially and submit for reimbursement. The claim was processed smoothly, but the experience reminded me that the secondary coverage aspect can be challenging for travelers on tight budgets who may not have cash on hand for medical emergencies.
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Exclusions and Limitations
It’s critical to understand what’s not covered:
• Pre-existing Conditions: Pre-existing conditions are reviewed for the 60 days before the plan’s effective date. Generally, medical conditions that existed within this window are excluded from coverage.
• Secondary Coverage: The medical benefits are secondary to your primary health insurance, meaning you’ll need to file with your regular health insurance first.
• Baggage Delay Timeframe: Baggage Delay – It may pay benefits for luggage failing to arrive with the traveler after a set timeframe. iTravelInsured Travel Lite trip cancellation insurance covers up to $150 per person (after delay of 24 hours). This longer delay threshold means you won’t be covered for shorter delays.
• Mental Health Issues: Mental health disorders including anxiety, depression, or stress are typically excluded.
• Named Storms: Hurricane & Weather: Common carrier delay for 6 hours, Mandatory evacuation covered, Accommodation made uninhabitable, Hurricane warning conditionally covered, Must be purchased before storm is named
• Adventure Activities: Many high-risk activities and adventure sports are excluded.
• Trip Maximum: Coverage is limited to trips of 180 days or less.
❌ Avoid: This plan if you have pre-existing medical conditions or are planning adventure activities. You’ll want to look at IMG’s more comprehensive plans that offer better coverage for these situations.
Pricing Insights
The iTravelInsured Travel Lite plan is positioned as IMG’s most affordable travel insurance option, designed for cost-conscious travelers.
The iTravelinsured Lite travel insurance cost ranges from $90 to $3,348 for a 15 day trip. The trip insurance cost depends on the age of the traveler, the trip duration, the cost of the trip, the maximum coverage and any additional add-on options you choose.
For a typical trip costing $3,000, a 40-year-old traveler might pay around $90-120 for a two-week trip, while the same coverage for a 70-year-old could cost $180-250.
Key pricing factors include:
- Age of travelers (prices increase significantly for seniors)
- Trip duration
- Total trip cost (up to $25,000 maximum)
- Destination
Compared to IMG’s other plans like the Travel SE or Travel LX, you can expect to save approximately 25-40%, though with reduced coverage limits and fewer benefits.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable pricing | Secondary medical coverage |
| Strong evacuation coverage ($500,000) | No rental car damage protection |
| Straightforward benefits structure | 24-hour baggage delay threshold |
| Purchase up to one day before departure | Limited coverage for adventure activities |
| 24/7 emergency assistance | No Cancel For Any Reason option |
| Solid trip cancellation protection | Pre-existing conditions excluded |
Mini Comparison
When comparing emergency medical coverage, the Travel Lite offers $100,000 in protection, while the Travel SE increases this to $250,000 and the Travel LX plan offers $500,000.
For travelers visiting countries with expensive healthcare systems like the United States, Japan, or Western Europe, this difference could be significant if a serious medical emergency occurs.
✅ Pro Tip: If you’re traveling with expensive electronics like cameras or laptops, consider upgrading to IMG’s Travel SE plan, which offers significantly higher baggage loss limits. The modest premium increase often pays for itself if you need to file a claim for an expensive item.
Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking for more comprehensive coverage or specific benefits not included in the Travel Lite plan, consider these alternatives:
- IMG iTravelInsured Travel SE: Offers higher medical limits ($250,000), rental car coverage, and a pre-existing condition waiver if purchased within 20 days of initial trip deposit.
- Allianz OneTrip Basic: Similar price point but offers primary (rather than secondary) medical coverage, which can be easier to use when filing claims.
User Feedback
IMG maintains generally positive reviews on Trustpilot, with customers particularly praising their responsive emergency assistance services and relatively straightforward claims process. The Travel Lite plan specifically receives good feedback from budget-conscious travelers who primarily want trip cancellation protection.
Some criticism centers around the secondary nature of the medical coverage, which requires filing with your primary health insurance first, and the documentation requirements for claims, which some users find burdensome.
Bottom Line
The IMG iTravelInsured Travel Lite plan provides solid basic protection at an affordable price point. It’s best suited for travelers who want essential coverage focused on trip cancellation and basic medical emergencies without paying for premium benefits they don’t need.
While it won’t satisfy travelers requiring comprehensive coverage for pre-existing conditions or adventure activities, it offers sufficient protection for typical vacations and business trips at a budget-friendly price.
The plan strikes a good balance between affordability and essential coverage, making it an attractive option for cost-conscious travelers who still want the security of having basic travel insurance protection.
Always review the full policy wording carefully before purchasing. Safe travels!
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Can Save Up to 30%!
