Is IMG Patriot America Plus or Trawick Safe Travels USA better for parents?

IMG Patriot America Plus is better for travelers who want a larger PPO network (UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus) and higher optional coverage limits up to $1M. Trawick Safe Travels USA is better for budget-conscious buyers and those wanting flexible $0–$2,500 deductible options with competitive pricing.

Which plan has better pre-existing condition coverage?

Both plans cover acute onset of pre-existing conditions. IMG Patriot America Plus covers up to $25,000 (under 70) or $15,000 (70–79) for acute onset. Trawick Safe Travels USA covers up to $1,000 per injury/illness for travelers under 70. For those with serious chronic conditions, IMG's higher limits provide more meaningful protection.

Which plan is cheaper?

Trawick Safe Travels USA is generally 10–20% cheaper than IMG Patriot America Plus for equivalent coverage. A 60-year-old traveler getting a $100,000 plan for 90 days typically pays $180–$220 with Trawick versus $210–$260 with IMG. Higher deductibles reduce Trawick's cost further.

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 you want the largest PPO network, $1M coverage limits, and the highest acute onset pre-existing condition protection. Choose Trawick Safe Travels USA if you want a lower monthly premium, flexible deductibles down to $0, or the traveler is over 75 years old.

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	UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus	First Health Network
Network Size	~900,000 providers	~700,000 providers
Acute Onset (under 70)	$25,000	$1,000 per injury/illness
Acute Onset (70–79)	$15,000	$1,000 per injury/illness
Age Limit	Up to 79	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 $500,000	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	Parents under 75, chronic conditions, premium network	Budget buyers, seniors 75–89, 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 65	$25,000 acute onset limit	$1,000 per injury/illness
65–69	$25,000 acute onset limit	$1,000 per injury/illness
70–74	$15,000 acute onset limit	$1,000 per injury/illness
75–79	$15,000 acute onset limit	$1,000 per injury/illness
80–89	Not eligible	$1,000 per injury/illness

Key Insight

IMG's $25,000 acute onset limit vs Trawick's $1,000 limit is the single biggest difference between these plans. A parent with diabetes or hypertension who has a medical emergency in the U.S. could easily face $30,000–$80,000 in bills. IMG's limit covers a meaningful portion; Trawick's $1,000 covers almost nothing. If a parent has chronic conditions, IMG Patriot America Plus is the stronger choice.

PPO Network: UnitedHealthcare vs First Health

IMG Patriot America Plus uses the UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus network — one of the largest in the country with approximately 900,000+ providers including 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 networks are accepted at major U.S. hospital systems including Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins, and regional networks. IMG's UnitedHealthcare network has a slight edge in rural areas and smaller markets.

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 79. If your parent is 80 or older, IMG is not an option.

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?

Parents under 80 with diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, or other chronic conditions — IMG's $25,000 acute onset limit is significantly better protection
Travelers who want $500K or $1M coverage limits for complete catastrophic protection
Those who want the largest possible PPO network (UnitedHealthcare) for maximum hospital and provider 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 Plans

Frequently 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 (832) 856-1704 or email support@towerhillcorp.com.

Which plan do most people choose for Indian parents visiting the USA?

For Indian parents, IMG Patriot America Plus is the more popular choice due to the higher acute onset pre-existing condition coverage. Indian parents visiting the USA often have hypertension, diabetes type 2, or cardiac conditions — IMG's $25,000 limit provides better protection than Trawick's $1,000.

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.