Imagine this: You’re on the vacation you’ve been planning for months, enjoying the sights of Rome, when you suddenly trip on ancient cobblestones and break your ankle.
The local hospital wants payment upfront, your flight home is in three days, and you’re facing thousands in unexpected medical bills and change fees.
I’ve seen this scenario play out dozens of times in my 15+ years as a travel advisor.
Without proper insurance, these situations can quickly drain savings accounts and turn dream vacations into financial nightmares.
In this article...
About the Company
International Medical Group (IMG) has been providing travel medical insurance and trip protection plans since 1990.
Their iTravelInsured division handles their travel protection products, which are underwritten by either United States Fire Insurance Company or SiriusPoint America Insurance Company (rated A- Excellent by AM Best), depending on your state of residence.
IMG maintains a strong reputation for customer service, particularly their 24/7 multilingual emergency assistance services.
They sell policies directly through their website and through various travel agencies and insurance marketplaces, making their plans widely accessible.
Plan Overview
The iTravelInsured Travel SE (Standard Enhanced) plan sits in the middle of IMG’s travel insurance lineup, offering more robust coverage than their entry-level Travel Lite plan but at a more affordable price point than their premium Travel LX option.
It’s designed for the value-conscious traveler who wants solid protection without paying for premium features they may not need.
This comprehensive plan offers a well-balanced combination of trip cancellation, medical, and baggage benefits that make it suitable for both domestic and international travel.
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.
Coverage Details
The Travel SE plan provides protection across all essential travel insurance categories:
• Trip Cancellation: Covers up to 100% of your insured trip cost (maximum $50,000 per person) if you need to cancel for covered reasons like illness, injury, or death of you or a family member.
• Trip Interruption: Reimburses up to 150% of your insured trip cost if your trip is cut short for a covered reason, including the extra transportation costs to return home early or rejoin your trip.
• Emergency Medical: Provides $250,000 per person for emergency medical expenses – a substantial improvement over the $100,000 offered by the Travel Lite plan.
• Emergency Evacuation: $500,000 per person for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation, ensuring you can be transported to adequate medical facilities or back home if necessary.
• Baggage Loss/Theft: Covers up to $1,500 for lost, stolen, or damaged baggage and personal effects.
• Baggage Delay: $250 after a 12-hour delay, allowing you to purchase essential items while waiting for your luggage.
• Travel Delay: $2,000 ($250 per day) if your trip is delayed for 12+ hours, covering additional accommodation, meals, and local transportation.
• Missed Connection: $500 if you miss your cruise or tour departure due to a covered delay.
• Rental Car Damage: Up to $40,000 for covered damage to your rental vehicle – a benefit not included in the Travel Lite plan.
Ideal Buyer Profile
The iTravelInsured Travel SE plan is perfect for:
- Value-conscious travelers seeking comprehensive coverage without the premium price tag
- Families taking cruises or package tours with significant pre-paid expenses
- International travelers concerned about medical coverage and evacuation
- Those renting cars abroad who want dedicated rental car protection
- Travelers with pre-existing conditions who can purchase within 20 days of initial trip deposit
It’s less suitable for adventure travelers engaging in high-risk activities or travelers on luxury trips exceeding $50,000 per person, who might be better served by the Travel LX plan.
Plan Highlights
• Pre-Existing Condition Waiver: Available when purchased within 20 days of initial trip deposit and if you’re not disabled from travel at time of purchase.
• Rental Car Coverage: Includes $40,000 in collision damage protection for rental vehicles, eliminating the need to purchase expensive coverage from the rental agency.
• Family-Friendly Benefits: Unique coverage for movie rental, internet usage, and additional kennel fees caused by travel delays.
• Higher Medical Limits: Provides 2.5 times more medical coverage than the Travel Lite plan ($250,000 vs. $100,000).
• Missed Connection Coverage: $500 to help you catch up to your cruise or tour if you miss your departure due to covered delays.
• Pet Coverage: Includes benefits for pet kennel fees if your return is delayed.
• 24/7 Emergency Assistance: Access to multilingual emergency services worldwide.
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Features
| Coverage Category | Benefit Limit |
|---|---|
| Trip Cancellation | 100% of trip cost (max $50,000) |
| Trip Interruption | 150% of trip cost |
| Emergency Medical | $250,000 |
| Emergency Evacuation | $500,000 |
| Baggage Loss | $1,500 |
| Baggage Delay | $250 (after 12 hours) |
| Travel Delay | $2,000 ($250/day) |
| Missed Connection | $500 |
| Rental Car Damage | $40,000 |
Personal Note
💡 Last year, I recommended this plan to a family of four taking a 10-day Mediterranean cruise. When their connecting flight to Barcelona was delayed, causing them to miss their cruise departure, IMG’s assistance team helped arrange transportation to the next port of call and covered their additional expenses. The missed connection benefit alone saved them over $2,000, and the family was particularly impressed with how responsive the emergency assistance team was throughout the ordeal.
Exclusions and Limitations
Understanding what’s not covered is critical:
• Pre-existing Conditions: Only covered if you purchase within 20 days of initial trip deposit and meet other requirements.
• Adventure Activities: Many high-risk activities like skydiving, mountaineering above certain elevations, and scuba diving beyond specified depths aren’t covered.
• Named Storms: Coverage for hurricanes, typhoons, or similar natural disasters only if your policy was purchased before the storm was named.
• Mental Health Issues: Anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions typically aren’t covered reasons for cancellation or medical treatment.
• Alcohol/Drug Incidents: Injuries or illnesses resulting from alcohol or drug use are generally excluded.
• Maximum Trip Length: Coverage is limited to trips of 180 days or less.
❌ Avoid: This plan if you’re planning extreme adventure activities or if you have pre-existing conditions and can’t purchase within the 20-day window for the waiver. In these cases, consider the Travel LX plan which offers more flexibility for adventurous travelers.
Pricing Insights
The iTravelInsured Travel SE plan is positioned in the mid-range of travel insurance pricing, typically costing about 5-7% of your total trip cost.
For a two-week European vacation costing $5,000, a 45-year-old traveler might pay approximately $250-350, while a 70-year-old could pay $400-500 for the same coverage.
Factors affecting the price include:
- Age of travelers (increases significantly for seniors)
- Trip duration
- Total trip cost (up to $50,000 maximum per person)
- Destination(s)
The Travel SE typically costs about 30-40% more than the Travel Lite plan but offers substantially better coverage across most benefit categories.
Compared to the premium Travel LX plan, you’ll save roughly 25-30% while still getting solid protection for most travel scenarios.
Mini Comparison
When comparing emergency medical coverage, the Travel SE offers $250,000 in protection, while the Travel Lite provides just $100,000 and the Travel LX increases this to $500,000.
For most international travelers, the Travel SE strikes an excellent balance – offering significantly more protection than the budget option without the premium price of the LX plan.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent value for comprehensive coverage | No Cancel For Any Reason option |
| Strong medical and evacuation limits | Pre-existing condition waiver limited to 20-day window |
| Includes rental car damage protection | $50,000 maximum trip cost may be insufficient for luxury trips |
| Pre-existing condition waiver available | 12-hour delay threshold for travel delay benefits |
| Family-friendly benefits | Limited coverage for high-risk adventure activities |
| Missed connection coverage | Secondary coverage (your primary insurance pays first) |
Fun Fact
Did you know that rental car collisions are among the most common travel insurance claims? Research shows that travelers are approximately three times more likely to have an accident in a rental car than in their own vehicle, primarily due to unfamiliarity with the car and local driving conditions. The $40,000 rental car protection in the Travel SE plan can save you $15-30 per day compared to purchasing coverage from the rental company.
User Feedback
IMG maintains solid ratings on consumer review platforms, with the Travel SE plan specifically receiving positive feedback for its balanced coverage and value. Many reviewers mention successful claims for trip delays and medical emergencies, with praise for the relatively straightforward claims process.
Some criticism centers around the documentation requirements for claims and processing times, which some users find cumbersome. However, the emergency assistance services consistently receive high marks for responsiveness and helpfulness during travel emergencies.
✅ Pro Tip: When purchasing the Travel SE plan, download IMG’s mobile app immediately. In the event of a claim, you can upload documents directly through the app, significantly speeding up the claims process. I’ve seen clients receive reimbursements up to two weeks faster when using the app versus traditional mail or email submission methods.
Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking for different coverage options, consider these alternatives:
- IMG iTravelInsured Travel LX: If you need higher coverage limits, CFAR (Cancel For Any Reason) options, or are engaging in more adventurous activities, the premium LX plan offers enhanced protection.
- Allianz OneTrip Prime: Similar price point but offers primary (rather than secondary) medical coverage, which can be easier when filing claims as it doesn’t require you to file with your regular health insurance first.
Bottom Line
The IMG iTravelInsured Travel SE plan delivers excellent value for travelers seeking comprehensive protection without the premium price tag. Its standout features include solid medical and evacuation coverage, rental car damage protection, and family-friendly benefits that address real-world travel concerns.
While it won’t satisfy extreme adventure travelers or those seeking Cancel For Any Reason flexibility, it provides robust coverage for most typical vacation scenarios at a reasonable cost.
For the majority of travelers taking cruises, international trips, or family vacations with moderate pre-paid expenses, the Travel SE hits the sweet spot between affordability and comprehensive protection.
Always review the full policy wording carefully before purchasing. Safe travels!
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