IMG Global Medical Insurance Review

Overview

IMG (International Medical Group) has been providing international health insurance for over 30 years. They've built a reputation as one of the most affordable options for expats and digital nomads who want solid medical coverage without premium pricing.

With their parent company SiriusPoint rated A- (Excellent) by A.M. Best, and BBB accreditation since 2005, IMG offers financial stability alongside competitive pricing. Their 4.6/5 Trustpilot rating from over 19,000 reviews reflects strong customer satisfaction.

Plans and Coverage

IMG Global Medical Insurance offers four plan tiers with increasing coverage limits. All plans are fully customizable with multiple deductible options and optional add-ons.

Core Coverage (All Plans)

• Inpatient hospital care
• Emergency medical treatment
• Surgery and anesthesia
• Prescription medications
• Cancer treatment
• Medical evacuation
• Repatriation of remains
• 24/7 assistance services

Coverage Areas

Choose your geographic coverage:

• Worldwide: Full global coverage including the US
• Worldwide excluding US: Significant savings if you don't need US coverage
• Europe: Regional coverage at lower rates

Deductible Options

IMG offers seven deductible choices: $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500, $5,000, and $10,000. Higher deductibles significantly reduce premiums.

Bonus: 50% of your deductible is waived for treatment outside the US. So a $2,500 deductible becomes just $1,250 out-of-pocket for care abroad.

Optional Add-Ons

• Dental: Routine and major dental coverage
• Vision: Eye exams and glasses/contacts
• Maternity: Pregnancy and childbirth (waiting period applies)
• Terrorism coverage: Protection in high-risk areas

Unique Features

• Travel Intelligence: Push notifications with location-specific alerts for crime, terrorism, severe weather, and other threats
• Direct billing: IMG identifies providers who bill directly, reducing out-of-pocket costs
• Multilingual support: Staff speaks 18 languages
• Global Senior Plan: Automatic transition option at age 75 with no additional underwriting

Pricing

IMG is known for competitive pricing, especially compared to premium providers like BUPA and Cigna. The combination of multiple deductible options and coverage area choices lets you dial in the right price.

Sample Annual Premiums (Age 40, $250 deductible, Worldwide ex-US)

• Silver: ~$2,800/year ($235/month)
• Gold: ~$4,500/year ($375/month)
• Platinum: ~$7,500/year ($625/month)

Sample Annual Premiums (Age 32, $1,000 deductible, Worldwide ex-US)

• Silver: ~$1,500/year ($125/month)
• Gold: ~$2,400/year ($200/month)

Prices vary by age, coverage area, and exact plan configuration. These are estimates for illustration.

Payment Options

• Annual: Best value (no surcharge)
• Semi-annual: 10% surcharge
• Quarterly: 12% surcharge
• Monthly: 20% surcharge

Pay annually if possible—the monthly surcharge adds up to 20% more over the year.

Ways to Save

• Higher deductible: $5,000+ deductibles cut premiums substantially
• Exclude US/Canada: Removing North America saves hundreds annually
• Pay annually: Avoid 10-20% payment surcharges
• Regional coverage: Europe-only costs less than worldwide

Pros and Cons

Claims and Service

Filing Claims

IMG offers online claims submission through their website and mobile app. They also provide direct billing arrangements with providers worldwide to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.

Important note: While IMG's overall customer satisfaction is high, some reviewers mention slow claims processing. Expect several weeks for reimbursement, and potentially longer for complex claims. Document everything and follow up regularly.

Customer Service

IMG provides 24/7/365 assistance with:

• In-house nurses, doctors, and case managers
• Multilingual support (18 languages)
• Emergency evacuation coordination
• Provider location assistance

Customer reviews consistently praise the website's ease of use for quotes and policy management, though some mention challenges with the live chat support.

Pre-Existing Conditions

IMG uses standard underwriting for pre-existing conditions. Coverage depends on your health history—conditions may be covered, excluded, or subject to waiting periods. Be thorough and honest on your application.

Who It's For

IMG Global may be a good fit if you:

• Want solid coverage at affordable prices
• Prefer flexible deductible options
• Don't need US/Canada coverage (biggest savings)
• Are a digital nomad or long-term expat
• Want an easy quote and enrollment process
• Value the 50% deductible waiver outside the US

It may not be ideal if you:

• Need fast claims reimbursement
• Want trip cancellation/interruption coverage
• Do extreme or adventure sports regularly
• Prefer premium service over budget pricing
• Need to change your deductible at renewal

Alternatives to Consider

If IMG Global doesn't seem like the right fit, consider these alternatives:

• Cigna Global: More premium service and larger network, higher prices. Read our review
• Allianz Care: Similar flexibility, competitive pricing. Read our review
• BUPA Global: Premium coverage with excellent mental health benefits. Read our review
• SafetyWing: Even more budget-friendly, but less comprehensive (travel medical vs health insurance)