The Short Answer
Choose IMG Global for international medical priority, long-stay or expat-style trips, high evacuation limits, or trips where medical exposure is the main financial risk.
Choose Travelex for family trips (kids age 17 and under free on select plans), domestic + international leisure travel, or a strong comprehensive plan with established US brand recognition.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | IMG Global | Travelex Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Specialty | International medical & long-stay | Comprehensive family-friendly leisure |
| Trip Cancellation | Up to 100% of insured trip cost | Up to 100% of insured trip cost |
| Trip Interruption | Up to 150% (select plans) | Up to 150% (select plans) |
| Emergency Medical (max) | Up to $2,000,000 (select plans) | Up to $50,000+ (Travel Select) |
| Emergency Evacuation (max) | Up to $1,000,000+ | Up to $500,000 (Travel Select) |
| CFAR Available | Yes — select plans | Yes — select plans |
| Pre-Existing Waiver | Yes — select plans | Yes if purchased early |
| Kids Included Free | No | Yes — age 17 and under on select plans |
| Long-Stay / Expat Products | Yes — Patriot, Global Medical | No — trip-based only |
| 24/7 Assistance | Yes — worldwide | Yes — worldwide |
IMG Global: Strengths and Limitations
International Medical Group (IMG) is one of the largest travel medical insurance providers in the United States. Its catalog covers leisure travel, long-stay travelers, students, missionaries, expats, and group leaders. IMG has been recognized in recent independent industry comparisons (including by Forbes Advisor) as a leading travel insurance company.
Where IMG Global Stands Out
- Industry recognition — recognized in recent Forbes Advisor evaluations as a leading travel insurance company.
- High medical limits — select IMG plans offer up to $2,000,000 in emergency medical coverage.
- Long-stay products — Patriot and Global Medical Insurance plans are built for travelers staying abroad weeks, months, or years.
- Strong evacuation network — worldwide medical assistance infrastructure purpose-built around international medical events.
- Group plans — the Patriot Plus Group plan is widely used by churches, schools, and tour operators.
Where IMG Global Has Limitations
- Brand awareness among US leisure travelers is lower than Travelex’s.
- No automatic free coverage for accompanying children.
- Product catalog is broader than most leisure travelers need.
Travelex Insurance: Strengths and Limitations
Travelex Insurance Services has sold travel insurance in the US since 1996 and is one of the longest-established brands in the consumer travel insurance market. The flagship Travel Select plan bundles trip cancellation, interruption, medical, evacuation, baggage, and travel delay benefits, with strong appeal to families.
Where Travelex Insurance Stands Out
- Kids included free — children age 17 and under on a parent’s policy on select plans is a major cost saving for families.
- Strong trip cancellation — Travel Select is consistently well-rated for covered reasons and reimbursement.
- Customizable add-ons — CFAR, adventure-sports upgrades, car rental collision, and AD&D are optional riders.
- Long US brand history — mature claims portal, app, and customer support infrastructure.
- Backed by Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance on Travel Select — strong underwriter financial backing.
Where Travelex Insurance Has Limitations
- Standard medical limits are notably lower than IMG’s top tier — a meaningful gap if your priority is medical coverage.
- No long-stay or expat products.
- Some adventure activities are excluded by default and require a rider.
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Best For: Quick Recommendations
Family with kids
Travelex Insurance — Free kids 17&under on select plans is a major cost advantage.
Extended international stay
IMG Global — Long-stay and expat products are purpose-built.
International medical priority
IMG Global — Higher medical limits and evacuation depth.
Package vacation or cruise
Travelex Insurance — Comprehensive Travel Select fits package travel cleanly.
High-cost prepaid trip
Travelex Insurance — Strong trip cancellation features for sizeable prepaid bookings.
Group travel (church, school)
IMG Global — Patriot Plus Group is widely used for organized group travel.
How to Choose Between Them
If you can answer these three questions, you can pick between IMG Global and Travelex Insurance in under five minutes:
- Are you traveling with children under 18? If yes, run Travelex first to compare family-inclusive pricing.
- Is medical coverage your top priority? If yes, lean IMG — higher emergency medical and evacuation limits.
- Will you be abroad longer than three weeks? If yes, lean IMG — long-stay and expat products are purpose-built.
For most travelers, the right move is to pull live quotes from both and compare. Premiums for the same trip can vary by 30–50% depending on how each carrier prices your specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IMG or Travelex better for families?
Travelex is typically the stronger choice for families. On select Travelex plans, children age 17 and under are included on a parent’s policy at no additional charge, which can save families hundreds of dollars compared to plans that charge per traveler. IMG covers families well, but does not offer the same kids-free pricing structure.
Which carrier has higher medical limits?
IMG’s top-tier plans offer up to $2,000,000 in emergency medical coverage, substantially above Travelex Travel Select’s typical medical maximums. If your trip puts you at meaningful risk for expensive medical care — remote destinations, long international stays, adventure activities — IMG’s medical-focused plans are typically the stronger fit.
Can I get CFAR from both carriers?
Yes. Both IMG and Travelex offer Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) as an optional upgrade on select plans. CFAR generally requires purchasing the policy within 14 to 21 days of the initial trip deposit and insuring 100% of prepaid, non-refundable trip costs. Reimbursement percentages and time windows vary by plan.
Does either carrier offer long-stay or expat coverage?
Only IMG. IMG offers true long-term and expat-style products (Patriot, Global Medical Insurance) for travelers staying abroad weeks, months, or years. Travelex is trip-based by design and does not offer expat or long-stay coverage.
Why is IMG sometimes recognized as a top travel insurance company?
IMG has received top marks in recent independent industry rankings, including Forbes Advisor evaluations. These rankings consider factors like financial strength, coverage breadth, medical limits, claims handling, and customer service. Rankings change year to year — always check the most current evaluation rather than relying on prior years.
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