IMG - Travel health insurance frequently asked questions

Here are the most frequently asked insurance questions for IMG Travel Insurance.
  • Patriot America Plus and Patriot Platinum America can be used by green card holders as long as they maintain a residence outside the US. These plans offered by IMG are specifically designed for short term travel to USA. The policy covers "acute onset of pre-existing conditions" up to the maximum of the plan purchased for persons under 70 years of age. The company recently added the benefit of copays of $25 for urgent care centers and $15 for walk-in clinics which are paid INSTEAD of the deductible each time these facilities are used. Persons under 70 years of age can get up to $1 million maximum coverage. These plans also covers COVID-19 illness up to the maximum of the policy.
    Yes, but it has a time restriction for purchase of 30 days within which after arriving in the US. This is for travellers above age 65. For travelers below age 65, there is a 6 month time period after arriving in the US to buy the plan
    Patriot International Lite insurance satisfies the Schengen visa requirements and also offers the visa letter as required by the consulates.
    Patriot Platinum Insurance offers coverage for travelers who want maximum coverage up to $8 million.
    Patriot America Plus plan offers coverage for pre-existing conditions.
    Above 60 years:
    Patriot America Plus offers coverage for pre-existing conditions up to the age of 70 years
    Patriot America Lite is available but doesn’t offer coverage for pre-existing conditions.

    Above 70 years:
    Patriot Platinum and Visitors Care coverage offers limited coverage.

    Above 80 years:
    Patriot Platinum as it offers coverage $20,000 for travelers over 80 years
    Other plans - Visitors Care offer coverage of $10,000
    Sudden and Unexpected Recurrence of a Pre-existing Condition coverage offered by these plans
    Patriot Platinum: $2,500 lifetime maximum.

    Visitors CareThis plan offers acute on set of pre-existing coverage up to the plan maximum under 70 years.
    Visitors Care is a fixed benefit plans and most affordable plan. This plan has specific benefit limits for different covered medical expenses. These benefit limits are not the same as the plan medical maximum.
    Patriot Multi-trip insurance plan offers coverage for travelers taking multiple trips annually. It is ideal for frequent travelers, employers, business travellers.
    Each trip duration however cannot exceed either 30 days or 45 days. With this plan travelers can travel multiple times in a year.
    Patriot America Plus Group - offers exclusive pre-existing conditions cover for group of travelers whose destination includes US and its territories
    Patriot Group Travel - offers travel medical insurance cover for group of travelers outside their home country
    Patriot Multi-trip Group - Annual multi trip plan for group of travelers taking multiple trips in a year
    Patriot Group Exchange - international health insurance plan ideal for group of students or exchange scholars
    GlobeHopper Senior Multi-Trip – Available for group of US permanent residents and US citizens aged above 65 years travelling outside US
    Patriot International Lite offering coverage up to 1 million Patriot platinum international offering coverage up to 8 million GlobeHopper – for US permanent residents and US citizens aged above 65 years
    Most of the travel insurance plans might provide coverage for 'trip interruption' but these are not meant for insuring the entire trip expenses itself. Please look at the 'IMG trip cancellation insurance plans' which are exclusively meant to cover trip costs, trip cancellation and other expenses related to the trip
    The premium remains the same regardless of any change whether you renew the plan or when you buy a new same plan for the same time period.
    Patriot America Plus covid insurance coverage is available for plans purchased after September 1st, 2020. Patriot America plus insurance Coronavirus coverage includes eligible medical expenses resulting from COVID-19 up to the medical maximum.
    Patriot America Platinum covid insurance coverage is available for plans purchased after September 1st, 2020. Patriot America Platinum insurance Coronavirus coverage includes eligible medical expenses resulting from COVID-19 up to the medical maximum.
  • Student Health Advantage Platinum with the following coverage:
    Maternity coverage inside US/Canada: Covers 80% eligible expenses up to policy maximum inside PPO and 60% eligible expenses up to policy maximum policy maximum outside PPO.
    Maternity coverage outside US/Canada: Covers 100% up to policy maximum.
    Covers routine care of newborns up to $750 maximum per period of coverage.
  • Global Medical insurance is an ideal plan for global travelers and expats living and working outside their home country for more than a year.
  • The IMG travel plans namely Travel Lite vs Travel SE vs Travel LX offer trip protection cover for travel expenses from trip cancellation, trip interruption, trip delay, baggage loss.
    The trip cancellation insurance coverage starts on the day following the purchase of the policy. The trip cancellation insurance plan will cover the traveler for factors such as trip cancellation even before the departure date of the trip.
    If the traveler becomes ill with the Covid19 virus while they are insured, it will be covered like any other sickness. Along with trip costs and any eligible medical expenses, Covid19 related Quarantine expenses may also be covered if required by the concerned authority. Please refer to the policy documents for the detailed coverage benefits.
    IMG plans do not cover COVID19 vaccinations since all preventive care is not covered. However it will cover COVID-19 treatment as any other eligible sickness if Covid19 infection happens after the policy is effective. Please see the policy document for more details.
    All US citizens and US residents are eligible to buy IMG trip cancellation plans. They can buy these trip cancellation plans for travel both within the US as well as outside the country.
    Yes, one can cancel the IMG plan if there is no claim on the policy and if the traveler :
    1. Requests for cancellation is made within the 10 day free look period after buying the insurance
    2. Requests for cancellation before the start of the trip
    The trip costs will include all non-refundable expenses such as the airline ticket costs, cruise expenses, hotel booking costs .... In the event of an unplanned cancellation of the trip, these expenses which would otherwise be lost will be covered by the IMG trip cancellation plans.
    No, the IMG plans are not renewable.
    The pre-existing conditions coverage varies depending on the IMG plan.
    1. The Travel Lite plan does not cover Pre-existing conditions
    2. The Travel SE plan covers pre-existing conditions if the insurance is bought within 20 days of the initial trip deposit
    3. The Travel LX plan covers pre-existing conditions if the insurance is bought within 24 hours of trip payment.
    Only the Travel LX plan offer Cancel for any reason (CFAR). The Travel Lite and Travel SE plans provide trip cancellation only for covered reasons.
    Trip cancellation coverage is available if the entire trip is cancelled even before the start of the trip (this is even before the trip start date). Trip interruption coverage is applicable only after the start of the trip. Trip interruption comes is applicable if the trip is cancelled for a valid covered reason (unless you have the Travel LX plan which covers CFAR), after the start of the trip and here the insured traveler has to return to his/her home country.
    You compare the coverage differences between the three IMG plans IMG travel insurance plans Comparision
    There isn’t a specific “quarantine” benefit, but benefits could apply under both IMG travel Insurance’s Trip Interruption and Travel Delay benefits. Trip interruption would generally reimburse for the prepaid, unused, nonrefundable elements of the trip that are lost. Travel delay would reimburse up to the per day, per person policy limit (varies between plans) for additional meals, accommodations, and local transportation expenses. A requirement to quarantine is a covered event under each of these benefits. In addition, if medical treatment is sought due to symptoms, the medical expense benefit would apply as well.
    There isn’t a specific “accommodation” benefit, but benefits could apply under compare IMG travel Insurance’s Travel Delay benefit. Travel delay would reimburse up to the per day, per person policy limit (varies between plans) for additional meals, accommodations, and local transportation expenses. A requirement to quarantine is a covered event under each of these benefits. In addition, if medical treatment is sought due to symptoms, the medical expense benefit would apply as well. Benefits would apply to an insured traveler OR a travel companion.
    Travelers can download the IMG vacation insurance claims forms for quarantine reimbursement. Instructions regarding required documentation are listed on the first page of each form. (The forms vary depending on the type of loss being claimed).
    If the traveler is required to quarantine as per the terms of coverage, benefits would be extended for up to 5 days after the period of quarantine ends (per the guidelines provided by our underwriter).
    If required to do so as per the terms of coverage. Note that the policy defines quarantine as follows: Quarantined means You or Your Traveling Companion, Pet or Service Animal are forced into strict medical isolation by a recognized government authority, their authorized deputies, medical examiners or Physician to prevent the spread of the disease due to You or Your Traveling Companion, ,Pet or Service Animal either having, or being suspected of having an contagious disease, infection or contamination. An embargo preventing You or Your Traveling Companion, Pet or Service Animal from entering a country is not a quarantine.

Travel Insurance tips for travelers with Pre-Existing Conditions

Here are some travel insurance tips for travelers with pre-existing conditions:

  1. Choose a travel health insurance plan that covers pre-existing conditions.
  2. Read the policy carefully to understand what is covered and what is not.
  3. Be aware of any waiting periods for coverage of pre-existing conditions.
  4. Consider buying a visitors insurance policy with higher coverage limits.
  5. Carry a copy of your medical records and list of medications with you when traveling.
  6. Ensure that you carry your medical prescription and medicines during your trip.
  7. Know how to access medical care in your destination.
  8. Contact your visitors insurance provider immediately in case of any medical emergency.
  9. Disclose all pre-existing conditions when buying visitors health insurance.
  10. Follow all necessary procedures to file a claim for reimbursement of medical expenses.

What are the factors for visitors insurance with pre-existing conditions coverage?

The following are the important factors to consider while purchasing visitors insurance for pre-existing conditions

  1. The definition of pre-existing conditions and the look back period under the policy.
  2. The eligibility age limit for pre-existing conditions coverage.
  3. Whether pre-existing condition coverage is limited to acute onset of pre-existing conditions.
  4. The coverage limit for pre-existing conditions which is different from the policy medical maximum.
  5. The deductible and out of pocket expenses for pre-existing conditions coverage.
  6. The renewability of the policy and its implication for pre-existing condition coverage

IMG offers Pre-existing conditions with the following plans

Patriot America Plus from IMG offers coverage for acute onset of pre-existing conditions up to the age70 years for Non US citizens travelling to the USA. Another option for pre-existing conditions is Visitor's Protect offers temporary medical coverage with pre-existing conditions with deductible of $1,500 per injury or illness (plan deductible waived). The maximum limit through age 69 is $25,000, and ages 70 and older is $20,000. Visitor's Protect covers Limited pre-existing conditions for individuals traveling outside their country of residence and traveling to the US.

Why is travel health insurance for pre-existing conditions coverage important?

There are many international travelers who travel with medical ailments and it is important for them to be well informed about visitors insurance for pre-existing conditions. Most US travel insurance plans exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions. The definition of pre-existing conditions varies for different insurance providers as they have a ‘look back’ period and any medical ailments during this look back period would be considered pre-existing.

At American Visitor Insurance, we have plans which provide coverage for acute onset of a pre-existing condition, as well as full coverage for pre-existing conditions up to a clearly defined limit in the policy document. All of these details can be best understood by using our facility for comparing visitors insurance for pre-existing conditions and reviewing the policy brochures.

How does travel insurance for pre-existing conditions work?

The visitor health insurance plans which cover pre-existing conditions clearly define what is a pre-existing condition, the look back period for pre-existing condition, whether the travel insurance coverage is limited to acute onset of pre-existing conditions or if it provides full coverage for pre-existing conditions and the coverage limit within the policy for pre-existing conditions. Any visitors travel health insurance coverage for pre-existing conditions will depend on all these factors.

Pre-existing conditions coverage - FAQ's

01.  How do I know if my pre-existing condition is covered by travel insurance?
  1. Unfortunately, this simple question has a complicated answer. The answer is: it depends. Firstly, it depends on whether you are a US resident traveling outside the US or a visitor to the US. US residents can purchase trip cancellation insurance like the Travel Lite, Travel LX and Travel SE plans and they can cover pre-existing conditions. These plans however may have specific requirements in order to waive the usual exclusion of coverage for pre-existing conditions (like purchase them within a certain number of days of your initial trip deposit or that you have a primary domestic insurance plan in the US), so you should check these details carefully if this is important to you.
  2. Non-US residents or US residents traveling into the US have much more limited options to insure their pre-existing conditions are covered. Some plans offer coverage for "acute onset" of pre-existing conditions. However, this is misleading, since a careful look at their definition excludes chronic or congenital disorders from such coverage. Chronic illnesses are those that worsen over time and congenital disorders are issues one is born with. They exclude emergencies due to chronic illness because they will say that is not "acute" it is simply a worsening of your condition. There is a policy we know of that offer temporary medical insurance with coverage for pre-existing conditions. It is IMG's Visitor's Protect.
  3. Firstly, they define pre-existing conditions in the following way: A pre-existing condition is a condition for which the insured received treatment or took medication for in the previous 12 months before the start of the policy. If the medication dosage has not changed and is taken as a maintenance medication, this would NOT count as a flare up or treatment of the condition. In that case, very stable conditions that have no flare ups in the past 12 months are not even excluded as pre-existing conditions. Conditions that have had flare ups or doctor recommended treatment or change in medication, are still covered by the plans but with a higher deductible and a lower maximum.
  4. IMG Visitor's Protect is a comprehensive plan offering fairly complete coverage. The plan must be purchased for at least 90 days and can be quite pricey for seniors, but they offer the only real coverage for chronic conditions. Temporary medical insurance with coverage for pre-existing conditions. The other option, of course, is to take a plans with little ($1000) or no coverage for pre-existing conditions and take a risk that that condition will not flare up during the trip.
02.  What does full coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions mean?

Some plans boast they offer "full" coverage for pre-existing conditions, this can however be a little misleading. Firstly, any regular treatment or medication that is required by the condition is never covered. The main advantage to the IMG Visitor's Protect is that they cover sudden illness/injury regardless of whether it is pre-existing or not. The only difference is that a pre-existing condition will be covered with a higher deductible at a lower maximum than any other "new" illness or injury. However, coverage is not limited to an emergency or life-threatening situation. This plan offers temporary medical insurance with coverage for pre-existing conditions.

03.  What does "acute onset of pre-existing conditions" mean?

The "Acute Onset of a Pre-Existing Condition" is a sudden and unexpected outbreak or recurrence of a pre-existing medical condition which occurs without any advance warning either in the form of physician recommendations or symptoms and requires immediate care (within 24 hours of first symptoms).

A Pre-Existing Condition that is a chronic or congenital condition or that gradually becomes worse over time will not be considered acute onset. The acute onset coverage benefit does not include coverage for known, scheduled, required, or expected medical care, drugs or treatment existent or necessary prior to the effective date of coverage. An example of this might be someone who has a food allergy or bee allergy and is unknowingly exposed to their allergen and requires immediate medical attention.

04.  What is the difference between Full Pre-Existing & Acute Onset Insurance?

Acute onset of a pre-existing condition can be defined as the sudden & unexpected occurrence of a pre-existing condition which requires in-patient, emergency hospitalization within 24 hours of exhibiting first symptoms. The main difference between acute onset & full pre-existing is that with Full Pre-Existing coverage, is that one is covered for all pre-existing conditions and associated medical costs and this includes follow up visits, hospitalizations and doctor’s visits, etc. The acute onset coverage will only cover the in-patient hospitalization expense.

05.  What services are covered under visitors insurance full pre-existing coverage?

A plan now offered by IMG called Visitor's Protect is temporary medical insurance with coverage for pre-existing conditions. The plan must be purchased for at least 90 days. Note that IMG plans is not available to green card holders.

06.  Do IMG travel insurance plans really cover all pre-existing conditions?

Yes, Patriot America Plus from IMG offers coverage for acute onset of pre-existing conditions up to the age up to 70, Patriot Platinum also offers acute onset of pre-existing conditions up to the age up to 70 and Visitor Protect from IMG temporary medical insurance with coverage for pre-existing conditions up to 99 years. The plan must be purchased for at least 90 days.