IMG Patriot Travel Medical Insurance Review

Have you ever worried about what would happen if you fell ill or had an accident while traveling internationally?

The thought of navigating foreign healthcare systems, language barriers, and potentially astronomical medical bills can be anxiety-inducing for even the most seasoned travelers.

I’ve witnessed countless travelers face this scenario during my 25+ years as a travel insurance advisor. One client slipped on ancient stones in Rome, breaking her ankle and requiring surgery that would have cost over $20,000 without proper coverage.

Another faced a sudden appendicitis attack while on safari in Tanzania, requiring emergency evacuation that exceeded $50,000.

These real-world situations highlight why specialized travel medical insurance is essential for international travelers – your domestic health plan likely won’t provide adequate coverage abroad.

Plan Overview

International Medical Group’s (IMG) Patriot Travel Medical Insurance is a specialized series of plans designed to protect travelers while they’re outside their home country.

Each plan within the series provides various levels of coverage for individuals, families, and groups who need temporary medical insurance while traveling internationally.

The Patriot series comes in three primary tiers – Lite, Plus (or America Plus), and Platinum – with each offering progressively higher coverage limits and enhanced benefits.

These short-term plans can be purchased for trips ranging from 5 days to 12 months and are renewable for up to 24-36 months, depending on the plan.

This review will focus primarily on the core features shared across the Patriot product line, with specific callouts for the different tiers when relevant.

About the Company

International Medical Group (IMG) has been a respected player in the travel insurance industry since 1990. Based in Indianapolis, IMG specializes in medical insurance solutions for international travelers, expatriates, and groups requiring cross-border protection.

Their policies are underwritten by either SiriusPoint America Insurance Company (rated A- “Excellent” by AM Best) or United States Fire Insurance Company, depending on your state of residence.

This financial stability is crucial when considering medical insurance, as it ensures the company can meet its claims obligations.

IMG sells their Patriot plans directly through their website and through various insurance brokers and marketplaces.

The company offers 24/7 multilingual emergency assistance services and an extensive international provider network, which are particularly valuable when dealing with medical emergencies abroad.

Coverage Details

The Patriot series focuses primarily on medical coverage rather than trip cancellation or other traditional travel insurance benefits. Here’s what you can expect:

Emergency Medical Coverage: Depending on the plan tier and your age, limits range from $50,000 to $1,000,000 for the Lite plan, up to $8 million for the Platinum tier. This covers hospitalization, surgeries, doctor visits, prescription medications, and other medical services.

Emergency Medical Evacuation: Essential when treatment facilities in your location are inadequate. Coverage ranges from $25,000 for basic plans up to $1 million for Platinum policies.

Acute Onset of Pre-existing Conditions: Most plans include some coverage for the sudden recurrence of pre-existing medical conditions for travelers under 70 years old, with varying limits by plan tier.

Repatriation of Remains: If the worst happens, this benefit covers the cost of returning your remains to your home country.

Personal Liability: Personal Liability coverage included (Injury to another or damage to others property) – $25,000 maximum subject to $100 deductible

Trip Interruption: Trip Interruption benefit included – $10,000 maximum

Baggage Protection: Lost Luggage benefit included – $50 per item, $500 maximum

COVID-19 Coverage: Patriot Platinum covers COVID-19 same as any illness. This applies to all plan tiers.

Pricing Insights

The Patriot plans are designed to be affordable for the coverage they provide. The Patriot Travel Medical Insurance plan ranges from as little as $1.45 per day to as much as $8 per day. The exact premium depends on several factors:

• Your age (rates increase significantly for older travelers)
• Coverage maximum selected
• Deductible amount chosen (higher deductibles mean lower premiums)
• Length of coverage
• Optional riders added
• Plan tier selected (Lite, Plus, or Platinum)

For context, a 40-year-old traveler might pay approximately $40-60 per month for the Lite plan with a $250 deductible and $250,000 coverage maximum.

The same traveler would pay around $70-90 for the Plus plan and $120-150 for the Platinum plan with equivalent deductibles but higher coverage limits.

The Patriot series represents good value for the coverage provided, particularly when compared to the potential costs of international medical care and evacuation.

Plan Highlights

• Worldwide Coverage: Protection anywhere outside your home country, with access to international provider networks.

• Flexible Durations: Purchase for as little as 5 days or up to a full year, with renewal options for longer travel.

• Acute Onset of Pre-existing Conditions: Coverage for sudden, unexpected recurrence of pre-existing conditions for travelers under 70.

• Provider Networks: Access to UnitedHealthcare’s extensive network in the US and IMG’s International Provider Access network abroad.

• Direct Billing: Many in-network providers will bill IMG directly, eliminating the need to pay upfront for covered services.

• 24/7 Multilingual Assistance: Access to emergency medical and travel assistance services worldwide.

• Optional Adventure Sports Coverage: Available add-on for coverage of injuries sustained during activities like bungee jumping, zip lining, and scuba diving.

• Mobile Device Coverage: Optional rider for protection of your phone if lost, stolen, or damaged while traveling.

• Telemedicine Services: Access to virtual doctor consultations when appropriate.

Ideal Buyer Profile

The IMG Patriot Travel Medical Insurance is perfect for:

• International travelers seeking primary medical coverage outside their home country
• Business travelers needing medical protection for international assignments
• Expatriates on short to medium-term assignments abroad
• Students studying internationally
• Families taking extended vacations internationally
• Adventure travelers needing specialized coverage (with appropriate rider)
• Seniors traveling abroad who need higher coverage limits

It’s less suitable for those primarily concerned with trip cancellation protection, travelers with serious, unstable pre-existing conditions, or those seeking comprehensive travel insurance with strong baggage and travel delay benefits.

Personal Note

💡 I’ve personally recommended the Patriot plans to hundreds of clients over the years, and the feedback has been consistently positive, particularly regarding emergency assistance services. One memorable case involved a 65-year-old client who experienced a heart attack while in Thailand. IMG’s assistance team not only arranged immediate care at an excellent facility but also coordinated with the client’s cardiologist back home. When he needed evacuation for further treatment, IMG handled every detail seamlessly. The final medical bills exceeded $120,000, but thanks to his Patriot Platinum coverage, my client paid only his $500 deductible. These real-world experiences are why I continue to recommend IMG’s Patriot series to international travelers.

Exclusions and Limitations

Understanding what’s not covered is just as important as knowing what is:

• Pre-existing Condition Limitations: While acute onset is covered with limitations, general treatment for pre-existing conditions is excluded.

• High-Risk Activities: Unless you purchase the Adventure Sports Rider, activities like hang gliding, mountaineering, and others are excluded.

• Maximum Age Limits: Coverage amounts decrease substantially for travelers over 70-80 years old.

• Mental Health Treatment: Generally excluded or severely limited.

• Preventive Care: Routine physicals and wellness visits typically aren’t covered.

• Treatment for Intoxication: Injuries or illnesses resulting from alcohol or drug use are excluded.

• Treatment in Home Country: No coverage while in your country of citizenship.

• Political or Geographic Exclusions: Some plans exclude coverage for specific countries experiencing conflict (like Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine in 2024-2025).

❌ Avoid this plan if you’re primarily concerned about trip cancellation or interruption due to work obligations, family emergencies, or other non-medical issues. The Patriot series is focused on medical coverage, not comprehensive travel insurance.

Features

Mini Comparison

When comparing emergency medical evacuation coverage, the Patriot Lite plans offer up to $500,000, while the Platinum plans provide up to $1 million.

For travelers visiting remote destinations with limited medical facilities, this difference could be crucial if a medical emergency requires air ambulance services, which can easily exceed $100,000 from remote locations.

Pros and Cons

User Feedback

IMG maintains generally positive reviews on consumer platforms, with a Better Business Bureau rating of A+ for the parent company. On Trustpilot, the plan administrator, IMG, maintains a 6.1 score out of 10.

Customers particularly praise their responsive emergency assistance services, straightforward claims process, and customer service team.

Some criticism focuses on documentation requirements for claims and occasional delays in reimbursement for out-of-network care. A few reviewers have also mentioned challenges with pre-certification requirements for certain procedures.

Alternatives to Consider

If you’re looking for alternatives to the Patriot series, consider:

1. WorldTrips Atlas Travel: Similar medical focus with comparable coverage limits and excellent service. Often priced slightly lower but with more limited provider networks.
2. Seven Corners Liaison Travel: Another strong competitor with robust medical benefits and good pricing for longer trips.
3. SafetyWing: Better for digital nomads needing ongoing, longer-term coverage with more flexible renewal terms.

✅ Pro Tip: If traveling to the US from abroad, always select a plan with access to the UnitedHealthcare PPO network, like the Patriot America plans. This network provides significant cost savings and broader provider access compared to non-networked care, which can be prohibitively expensive in the US healthcare system.

Fun Fact

Did you know that medical evacuation from a cruise ship in the Mediterranean can cost between $25,000-$50,000, while the same service from remote parts of Africa or Asia can exceed $100,000? The Patriot Platinum’s $1 million evacuation benefit is specifically designed with these potential catastrophic expenses in mind.

Bottom Line

IMG’s Patriot Travel Medical Insurance offers excellent protection for international travelers focused on medical coverage. With three plan tiers to choose from, travelers can select the level of protection that matches both their needs and budget.

While not a comprehensive travel insurance solution that covers trip cancellation and other travel-related issues, the Patriot series excels at its primary purpose: providing robust medical coverage when you’re away from home.

The inclusion of acute onset pre-existing condition coverage and COVID-19 protection makes it particularly valuable in today’s travel environment.

For those prioritizing medical security while abroad, particularly during longer international trips, the Patriot series represents an excellent balance of coverage, value, and service.

Just be sure to select the plan tier and coverage limits appropriate for your destination, age, and medical history.

Always review the full policy wording carefully before purchasing. Safe travels!