IMG Patriot America Plus and Trawick Safe Travels USA Comprehensive are the two most popular visitor insurance plans for non-US citizens visiting the United States. Both are comprehensive, hospital-grade plans from established carriers — but they have meaningful differences in network, age limits, and price at older ages. Here's a complete 2026 comparison.
Quick Verdict
- Under age 70, want the widest hospital network: IMG Patriot America Plus (UnitedHealthcare PPO + full acute onset coverage)
- Ages 70+, any pre-existing conditions: Trawick only — IMG's acute onset benefit drops to ZERO at age 70
- Ages 80–89: Trawick only — IMG enrolls up to 99 but has zero acute onset coverage; Trawick still provides $20K–$35K sub-limits
- Want best-in-class pre-existing coverage at any age: Trawick Safe Travels First Class
Full Comparison Table
| Feature | IMG Patriot America Plus | Trawick Comprehensive | Trawick First Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max coverage | Up to $1,000,000 | Up to $1,000,000 | Up to $1,000,000 |
| Max enrollment age | Up to 99 | Up to 89 | Up to 89 |
| Acute onset (under 70) | Full policy max | Full policy max | Full policy max |
| Acute onset (ages 70–79) | ⚠️ ZERO — not covered | $35,000 | $25,000 |
| Acute onset (ages 80–89) | ⚠️ ZERO — not covered | $20,000 | $15,000 |
| PPO network | UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus | First Health | First Health |
| Deductible options | $0 – $2,500 | $0 – $5,000 | $0 – $5,000 |
| Mental health coverage | Included | Limited | Included |
| Physical therapy | Up to $50/visit | Up to $35/visit | Up to $50/visit |
| Home country coverage | Not included | Not included | Included |
| Typical premium vs. base | Base | ~5% less | +15–25% |
The Network Difference
The biggest practical difference between IMG and Trawick is the hospital network. IMG Patriot America Plus runs on the UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus network — one of the most recognized PPO networks in the country. Nearly every major US hospital and specialist is in-network. Trawick uses the First Health network, which is also broad but may have fewer in-network providers in some rural areas.
For visitors staying in major metropolitan areas, this difference rarely matters — both plans will cover the same hospitals. For visitors in smaller cities or rural areas, it's worth checking First Health's provider locator before purchasing Trawick.
The Age & Acute Onset Cliff
This is the single most important factor for families buying insurance for older parents. Both plans have different enrollment age limits: IMG Patriot America Plus enrolls visitors up to age 99. Trawick Safe Travels plans cover visitors up to age 89. On enrollment age alone, IMG actually covers a wider range.
However, the more critical difference is acute onset pre-existing condition coverage. IMG's acute onset benefit drops to zero at age 70. This means if your 72-year-old parent has a heart condition and experiences a cardiac event, IMG will not cover it as acute onset. Trawick, by contrast, covers $35,000 (Comprehensive) or $25,000 (First Class) for the same traveler at ages 70–79, and $20,000/$15,000 at ages 80–89.
For any traveler age 70 or older with a pre-existing condition, Trawick is the only viable choice of these three plans. For travelers in their 70s who are otherwise healthy, Trawick is also typically 10–20% cheaper than IMG for comparable coverage amounts.
Pre-Existing Conditions: How They Compare
Neither plan covers pre-existing conditions on an ongoing basis — this is standard for visitor insurance. Both plans offer acute onset coverage, which means a sudden, unexpected medical emergency related to a known condition may be covered up to a sub-limit. The critical distinction is age.
⚠️ Critical Age 70 Warning — IMG Patriot America Plus
IMG's acute onset benefit is zero at age 70 and older. If your parent is 70+, IMG provides no pre-existing condition coverage of any kind. This is a hard policy limit, not a sub-limit. For travelers under age 70, IMG covers acute onset up to the full policy maximum — which is excellent coverage.
Trawick Safe Travels Comprehensive covers acute onset at $35,000 (ages 70–79) and $20,000 (ages 80–89). Trawick First Class covers $25,000 and $15,000 for the same age brackets, but also includes home country coverage and higher mental health benefits. For visitors under age 70, all three plans are competitive — the choice comes down to network preference and price.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose IMG Patriot America Plus if...
- →Your parent is under age 70 (acute onset fully covered)
- →You want the UnitedHealthcare PPO network
- →You prefer IMG's established claims reputation
- →Your parent has no significant pre-existing conditions at age 70+
Choose Trawick Safe Travels if...
- →Your parent is age 70+ with any pre-existing condition
- →Your parent is ages 80–89 (best acute onset of these plans)
- →You want a lower premium at ages 65–79
- →You want home country coverage (First Class only)
Get Exact Prices for Both Plans
Enter your parent's age and travel dates to see side-by-side pricing for IMG, Trawick, and WorldTrips — in under 2 minutes.
Compare Plans Side by Side →Related: IMG Patriot International Review · Trawick First Class Review · IMG vs WorldTrips · Compare All Plans