Have you ever worried about what would happen if you needed emergency evacuation from a remote safari location?
Or how you’d recover financially if you had to cancel your $20,000 luxury cruise due to a sudden illness? These situations can devastate travel budgets unless you have premium-level protection.
During my 18 years as a travel insurance advisor, I’ve seen the profound difference that high-level coverage makes when serious disruptions occur.
Today, we’re examining IMG’s top-tier travel insurance option designed specifically for travelers who need maximum protection.
In this article...
About the Company
International Medical Group (IMG) has been a respected player in the travel insurance market since 1990. As a subsidiary of SiriusPoint, a global specialty insurer, IMG brings substantial financial backing to their policies.
Their iTravelInsured travel insurance line is underwritten by either United States Fire Insurance Company or SiriusPoint America Insurance Company, both of which maintain strong financial stability ratings. The parent company SiriusPoint America is rated A- (Excellent) by AM Best.
IMG’s iTravelInsured policies are sold directly through their website and also through travel agencies, cruise lines, and online insurance marketplaces.
They’re particularly known for their 24/7 multilingual emergency assistance services and their ability to handle complex international medical claims.
Ideal Buyer Profile
The iTravelInsured Travel LX plan is tailored for travelers who demand the highest level of protection with minimal compromises. It’s ideal for:
- Luxury travelers with expensive trip investments exceeding $20,000
- Adventure travelers visiting remote or exotic destinations
- Seniors with pre-existing medical conditions (when purchased within 24 hours of final payment)
- Those wanting flexible cancellation options including Cancel For Any Reason
- Travelers engaging in adventure activities like scuba diving or trekking
- Cruisers concerned about missed connections and potential medical evacuations
It’s not well-suited for budget travelers, those taking simple domestic trips, or travelers who don’t need the premium benefits that drive up the cost of this plan.
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.
Plan Highlights
• Cancel/Interrupt For Any Reason: Includes both CFAR and IFAR benefits at no additional cost on plans purchased within the time-sensitive window.
• Maximum Medical Coverage: Offers $500,000 in emergency medical benefits – five times higher than the entry-level Travel Lite plan.
• Million-Dollar Evacuation: Provides an industry-leading $1,000,000 for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation.
• Search and Rescue: Includes dedicated coverage for search and rescue operations – essential for adventure travelers.
• Political/Natural Disaster Evacuation: $50,000 coverage for evacuation due to political unrest or natural disasters.
• Pre-Existing Condition Waiver: Available when purchased within 24 hours of final trip payment.
• Highest Baggage Limits: Offers superior protection for expensive gear and electronics.
💡 Personal Note: Last year, one of my senior clients had to be evacuated by helicopter from a Himalayan trek after developing high-altitude pulmonary edema. The evacuation alone cost over $45,000, and the subsequent medical care and flight home added another $30,000 to the bill. The Travel LX plan covered 100% of these costs, demonstrating the real value of premium coverage in remote locations where medical emergencies can quickly escalate into six-figure expenses.
Features
| Coverage Category | Benefit Limit |
|---|---|
| Trip Cancellation | 100% of trip cost (max $100,000) |
| Trip Interruption | 150% of trip cost |
| Cancel For Any Reason | Included (with time restrictions) |
| Interrupt For Any Reason | Included (with time restrictions) |
| Emergency Medical | $500,000 |
| Emergency Evacuation | $1,000,000 |
| Baggage Loss | $2,500 |
| Baggage Delay | $500 (after 12 hours) |
| Travel Delay | $2,500 ($300/day) |
| Missed Connection | $750 |
| Rental Car Damage | $40,000 |
| Search and Rescue | $10,000 |
| Political/Natural Disaster Evacuation | $50,000 |
Pricing Insights
As IMG’s premium offering, the Travel LX comes with a correspondingly higher price tag, typically ranging from 7-10% of your total trip cost.
For a two-week international trip costing $10,000, a 45-year-old traveler might pay approximately $700-1,000, while a 70-year-old could pay $1,200-1,600 for the same coverage.
Key pricing factors include:
- Age of travelers (increases significantly for seniors)
- Trip duration
- Total trip cost (up to $100,000 maximum per person)
- Destination(s)
The Travel LX typically costs about 30-40% more than the mid-range Travel SE plan but provides significantly higher medical limits, evacuation coverage, and unique benefits like Cancel For Any Reason that aren’t available on lower-tier plans.
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Coverage Details
The Travel LX plan provides the most comprehensive protection in IMG’s travel insurance lineup:
Trip Cancellation/Interruption: Covers up to 100% of your insured trip cost (maximum $100,000 per person) for cancellation and up to 150% for interruption, protecting your financial investment if you need to cancel or cut your trip short for covered reasons.
Cancel/Interrupt For Any Reason: When purchased within the time-sensitive period (usually 24 hours of final payment), this valuable inclusion allows you to cancel or interrupt your trip for literally any reason not otherwise covered and receive partial reimbursement.
Emergency Medical: $500,000 per person for emergency medical expenses – double the coverage of the Travel SE plan and five times that of the Travel Lite plan.
Emergency Evacuation: Industry-leading $1,000,000 per person for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation – essential coverage for travelers visiting remote destinations.
Search and Rescue: $10,000 dedicated coverage for search and rescue operations – a crucial benefit for adventure travelers hiking, trekking, or engaging in outdoor activities.
Political/Natural Disaster Evacuation: $50,000 to evacuate you to safety in case of political unrest, terrorist incidents, or natural disasters – coverage not typically found in standard travel insurance plans.
Baggage Protection: $2,500 for lost, stolen, or damaged baggage and personal effects, with a 12-hour delay benefit of $500 for essentials.
Travel Delay: $2,500 ($300 per day) if your trip is delayed for 12+ hours, covering additional accommodation, meals, and local transportation.
Missed Connection: $750 if you miss your cruise, tour, or flight departure due to a covered delay.
Rental Car Damage: $40,000 for covered damage to your rental vehicle.
ℹ️ Fun Fact: Less than 5% of travel insurance policies on the market include both Cancel For Any Reason AND Interrupt For Any Reason benefits without additional cost. The Travel LX is among this elite group, offering maximum flexibility for travelers who want peace of mind regardless of the circumstances that might disrupt their plans.
Mini Comparison
When comparing emergency evacuation coverage, the Travel LX offers an impressive $1,000,000, while the Travel SE provides $500,000 and the Travel Lite plan just $500,000.
For travelers visiting truly remote destinations like Antarctica, the Himalayas, or safari locations in Africa, this doubled evacuation limit can be crucial, as medical evacuations from these regions can easily exceed $500,000.
Exclusions and Limitations
Understanding what’s not covered is essential:
• Time-Sensitive Benefits: The Cancel/Interrupt For Any Reason and pre-existing condition waiver are only available when purchased within 24 hours of final trip payment.
• CFAR Reimbursement: Cancel For Any Reason typically reimburses 75% of your insured trip cost, not 100%.
• Adventure Activity Limits: While coverage for adventure activities is more extensive than lower-tier plans, extreme activities like free-diving or mountaineering above certain elevations may still be excluded.
• Named Storms: Coverage for hurricanes or similar natural disasters only if your policy was purchased before the storm was named.
• Maximum Trip Length: Coverage is limited to trips of 180 days or less.
• Alcohol/Drug Incidents: Injuries or illnesses resulting from alcohol or drug use aren’t covered.
❌ Avoid: This plan if you’re primarily looking for basic coverage at a budget price point. The premium cost is only justified if you truly need the high coverage limits and enhanced benefits like CFAR or the pre-existing condition waiver.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Highest available medical coverage ($500,000) | Premium price point |
| Industry-leading evacuation limit ($1,000,000) | 24-hour window for pre-existing condition waiver |
| Includes Cancel/Interrupt For Any Reason | CFAR reimburses only 75%, not 100% |
| Political/natural disaster evacuation coverage | Still excludes certain extreme activities |
| Search and rescue benefits | 12-hour delay threshold for travel delay benefits |
| Pre-existing condition waiver available | Maximum $100,000 trip cost may not be enough for ultra-luxury trips |
User Feedback
IMG maintains strong ratings on consumer review platforms like Trustpilot, with the Travel LX plan receiving particularly positive feedback for its comprehensive coverage and claims handling.
Many reviewers specifically praise the emergency assistance services, which consistently earn high marks for responsiveness and effectiveness during complex situations abroad. The Cancel For Any Reason feature also receives positive mention from travelers who had to use it.
Some criticism centers around the documentation requirements for claims, which can be extensive. However, users who work with their travel advisors to properly document their claims generally report satisfactory resolution and payment.
✅ Pro Tip: When purchasing the Travel LX plan for its Cancel For Any Reason benefit, mark your calendar for 48+ hours before departure. CFAR requires cancellation at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure to be valid. I’ve seen clients miss this window by hours and lose their ability to use this valuable benefit, so timing is critical.
Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking for alternative premium travel insurance options, consider:
- Travelex Travel Select with CFAR: Offers similar high-end coverage with slightly lower medical limits ($50,000) but competitive pricing for luxury trips.
- Allianz OneTrip Premier: Another comprehensive option with $50,000 medical and $1,000,000 evacuation coverage, though without the built-in CFAR option.
Bottom Line
The IMG iTravelInsured Travel LX plan represents the gold standard in travel protection, offering exceptional coverage across all major categories with premium benefits like Cancel For Any Reason included at no additional cost when purchased within the time-sensitive window.
While the higher premium makes it unsuitable for budget travelers or those taking simple domestic trips, it provides valuable peace of mind for those investing in expensive international vacations, adventure travel to remote destinations, or luxury cruises with significant non-refundable costs.
For travelers who truly need maximum protection with minimal compromises, the Travel LX delivers outstanding value despite its premium price point.
Always review the full policy wording carefully before purchasing. Safe travels!
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Can Save Up to 30%!
