IMG Patriot America Plus vs Trawick Safe Travels USA — 2026 Comparison
Updated April 2026 · 10 min read · Tower Hill Travel Insurance
Bottom Line
Choose IMG Patriot America Plus if the traveler is under 70 and you want the largest dual PPO network (UHC + First Health), $1M coverage limits, and full acute onset pre-existing coverage. Choose Trawick Safe Travels USA if you want a lower monthly premium, flexible deductibles down to $0, or the traveler is age 70 or older — IMG provides zero acute onset coverage at 70+ while Trawick covers $35,000 (ages 70–79) and $20,000 (ages 80–89).
IMG Patriot America Plus and Trawick International Safe Travels USA Comprehensive are two of the most popular visitor insurance plans sold in the United States. Both plans cover emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, and doctor visits — but they differ significantly on network access, pre-existing condition limits, deductible flexibility, and price.
This comparison uses real 2026 plan data. We sell both plans and have no financial incentive to recommend one over the other — our goal is to help you choose correctly the first time.
Quick Comparison: IMG Patriot America Plus vs Trawick Safe Travels USA
| Feature | IMG Patriot America Plus | Trawick Safe Travels USA |
|---|---|---|
| Plan Type | Comprehensive | Comprehensive |
| Underwriter | Sirius International | Crum & Forster |
| Coverage Options | $50K / $100K / $500K / $1M | $50K / $100K / $150K |
| Deductible Options | $0 / $100 / $250 / $500 / $1,000 / $2,500 | $0 / $50 / $100 / $250 / $500 / $1,000 / $2,500 / $5,000 |
| PPO Network | UHC Choice Plus + First Health | First Health Network |
| Network Size | 1.5M+ providers (dual network) | ~700,000 providers |
| Acute Onset (under 70) | Full policy max (up to $1M) | Full policy max (up to $150K) |
| Acute Onset (70–79) | Not covered (zero) | $35,000 |
| Acute Onset (80–89) | Not covered (zero) | $20,000 |
| Age Limit | Up to 99 (no acute onset at 70+) | Up to 89 |
| ER Coverage | 100% after deductible | 100% after deductible |
| Dental Emergency | Up to $500 | Up to $250 |
| Mental Health (ER) | Covered | Covered |
| Coinsurance Inside PPO | 80/20 to $5,000, then 100% | 90/10 to $3,000, then 100% |
| Medical Evacuation | Up to $1,000,000 | Up to $250,000 |
| Repatriation | Up to $25,000 | Up to $50,000 |
| Typical Cost (60-yr-old, $100K, 90 days) | $210–$260/month | $180–$220/month |
| Best For | Travelers under 70, catastrophic coverage, largest dual PPO | Budget buyers, seniors 70–89 with pre-existing needs, flexible deductibles |
Coverage Limits: Which Plan Covers More?
IMG Patriot America Plus offers up to $1,000,000 in maximum coverage — the highest available from any of the three major visitor insurance carriers. This matters when a parent requires ICU admission, surgery, or prolonged hospitalization. A week in a U.S. ICU routinely costs $50,000–$120,000.
Trawick Safe Travels USA caps at $150,000 maximum. For most routine emergencies — a broken hip, cardiac event requiring 3-day hospitalization, pneumonia — $150,000 is sufficient. But for catastrophic events (major surgery, stroke with long-term rehab, organ failure), IMG's higher limit provides a critical safety net.
Pre-Existing Conditions: The Biggest Difference
Neither plan covers known, stable pre-existing conditions as standard care — but both cover acute onset: a sudden, unexpected medical emergency triggered by a pre-existing condition (e.g., a diabetic parent experiencing a hypoglycemic crisis, or a hypertensive parent having a heart attack).
| Age Group | IMG Patriot America Plus | Trawick Safe Travels USA |
|---|---|---|
| Under 70 | Policy maximum | Policy maximum |
| 70–79 | Not covered | $35,000 |
| 80–89 | Not eligible | $20,000 |
Key Insight
For travelers under 70, both plans cover acute onset of pre-existing conditions up to the full policy maximum — they are equal on this metric. The critical difference appears at age 70+: Trawick covers $35,000 (ages 70–79) and $20,000 (ages 80–89), while IMG provides no pre-existing coverage at age 70 or older. For parents over 70 with chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease, Trawick Safe Travels USA is the significantly stronger choice.
PPO Network: Dual Network (UHC + First Health) vs First Health
IMG Patriot America Plus uses a dual PPO network — UHC Choice Plus + First Health — with 1.5M+ US providers combined, the largest network footprint available in visitor insurance. This includes virtually every major hospital system. At network providers, you pay only your coinsurance after the deductible (80/20 up to $5,000, then IMG pays 100%).
Trawick Safe Travels USA uses the First Health Network — a strong PPO with approximately 700,000+ providers. Coverage within the network: 90/10 up to $3,000 out-of-pocket, then 100%. Outside the network, Trawick still reimburses based on reasonable and customary costs, but direct billing may be unavailable.
Both carriers are accepted at major U.S. hospital systems including Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins, and regional networks. IMG's dual network provides a meaningful edge in rural areas and smaller markets where First Health-only coverage may have fewer in-network options.
Deductible Options: Trawick Has More Flexibility
Trawick Safe Travels USA offers a wider range of deductible choices — from $0 (no deductible) all the way to $5,000. This granular control lets budget-conscious buyers reduce premiums significantly by taking on more out-of-pocket risk.
| Deductible | IMG Patriot (Est. Monthly, 60yr) | Trawick (Est. Monthly, 60yr) |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $260–$290 | $220–$250 |
| $100 / $50 | $240–$270 | $205–$235 |
| $250 | $225–$255 | $195–$225 |
| $500 | $210–$240 | $185–$215 |
| $1,000 | $195–$220 | $170–$200 |
| $2,500 | $175–$200 | $155–$185 |
| $5,000 | Not available | $135–$165 |
*Estimates based on $100,000 coverage limit, 60-year-old traveler, 30-day policy. Actual quotes may vary.
Age Limits: Trawick Covers Older Travelers
IMG Patriot America Plus covers travelers up to age 99 for enrollment. However, for travelers age 70 or older, IMG provides zero acute onset pre-existing condition coverage. This makes IMG a poor choice for any traveler over 70 with a medical history.
Trawick Safe Travels USA Comprehensive covers travelers up to age 89. For parents in their 80s, Trawick is often the only comprehensive plan available at a reasonable price. For the 80+ age bracket, see our dedicated guide on visitor insurance for parents over 80.
Who Should Buy IMG Patriot America Plus?
- Travelers under age 70 who want full acute onset pre-existing condition coverage up to the policy maximum ($1M)
- Travelers who want $500K or $1M coverage limits for complete catastrophic protection
- Those who want the largest dual PPO network (UHC Choice Plus + First Health, 1.5M+ providers) for maximum hospital access
- Travelers staying in rural areas or smaller markets where network coverage is important
- Those visiting for extended stays (6–12 months) where comprehensive network access matters over time
Who Should Buy Trawick Safe Travels USA?
- Parents aged 80–89 — IMG doesn't cover this age group at all
- Healthy travelers with no significant chronic conditions who want to minimize monthly premium costs
- Those who want the most deductible flexibility ($0–$5,000)
- Short trips (30–60 days) where cost efficiency is the primary goal
- Travelers who already have some local coverage and just need a US supplement
Compare Real Quotes for Both Plans
Enter your traveler's age and trip dates to see exact IMG and Trawick prices side by side.
Get a Quote — Compare Both PlansFrequently Asked Questions
Can I switch from Trawick to IMG mid-trip if my parent needs better coverage?
No. Once a policy is active and there has been a medical event, switching plans is not possible. Choose the right plan before the trip begins. If your parent is healthy and the trip is short, Trawick is fine. If they have chronic conditions, start with IMG.
Does IMG Patriot America Plus cover pre-existing conditions at scheduled doctor visits?
No. Neither plan covers routine management of pre-existing conditions — such as a scheduled follow-up for diabetes or regular blood pressure medications. Both plans only cover the 'acute onset' scenario: a sudden, unexpected, life-threatening emergency caused by a pre-existing condition.
Are there plans that cover pre-existing conditions more broadly?
Some plans offer 'look back period' waivers that cover stable pre-existing conditions if the traveler was asymptomatic for 12–24 months. Ask our team for options — call (844) 950-3468 or email support@towerhillcorp.com.
Which plan do most people choose for Indian parents visiting the USA?
Both plans are equally popular for Indian parents. Indian parents visiting the USA often have hypertension, diabetes type 2, or cardiac conditions — for travelers under 70, both IMG Patriot America Plus and Trawick Safe Travels USA Comprehensive cover acute onset of pre-existing conditions up to the full policy maximum. For parents aged 70–79, Trawick is the better choice: it covers $35,000 at ages 70–79 and $20,000 at ages 80–89, while IMG provides no pre-existing coverage at age 70+.
Does Trawick have direct billing at hospitals?
Yes. Trawick Safe Travels USA has direct billing arrangements with most hospitals in the First Health Network. Your parent should present their insurance ID card at the hospital and billing is typically handled directly. Outside the network, reimbursement after payment is the standard process.
Related Comparisons
Still Not Sure Which Plan Is Right?
Our licensed agents can review your parent's health history and travel dates and recommend the right plan in 5 minutes.
Call (844) 950-3468 · support@towerhillcorp.com
Mon–Fri 9AM–6PM CST · Texas License #2608479TX