Patriot America Plus vs Safe Travels USA Comprehensive

Patriot America Plus and Safe Travels USA Comprehensive both pay 100% of eligible expenses after the deductible inside the UnitedHealthcare network, so the real differences are out of network payment, older ages, and a few specific limits. Patriot America Plus, administered by IMG and underwritten by SiriusPoint, pays 90% of the first $5,000 out of network and then 100%, and covers the acute onset of a pre-existing condition only before age 70. Safe Travels USA Comprehensive, administered by Trawick International and underwritten by Zurich, pays 100% out of network after the deductible and keeps a reduced acute onset benefit up to age 89, but limits cardiac conditions and stroke. You can compare both plans for your age and dates on Ombrela.

Key facts at a glance

• Patriot America Plus pays 100% in the US PPO network and 90% out of network with a $500 out of pocket maximum, which works out to 90% of the first $5,000 and then 100%, according to IMG's certificate.
• Safe Travels USA Comprehensive pays 100% of eligible expenses after the deductible up to the medical maximum, according to Trawick.
• Patriot America Plus covers the acute onset of a pre-existing condition up to the maximum only for insured persons under 70.
• Safe Travels USA Comprehensive covers acute onset up to the maximum through age 69, up to $35,000 from age 70, and up to $20,000 from age 80.
• Patriot America Plus offers maximums of $50,000 to $1,000,000 through age 69, $50,000 or $100,000 from 70 to 79, and $10,000 from age 80.
• Safe Travels USA Comprehensive is not available at age 90 or over, and its schedule limits cardiac conditions and stroke to $25,000 through age 69 and $15,000 from 70.
• Patriot America Plus can be extended up to 24 continuous months, while Safe Travels USA Comprehensive cannot exceed 364 days in total.

How do Patriot America Plus and Safe Travels USA Comprehensive compare?

A note on names: Ombrela's quote results show IMG's plan as Patriot Plus, and the certificate IMG issues for visitors to the US is titled Patriot America Plus. They are the same plan. This comparison uses IMG's 2026 certificate and Trawick's product page and policy document, current in September 2026.

• Who stands behind the plan: Patriot America Plus is administered by International Medical Group and underwritten by SiriusPoint Specialty Insurance Corporation. Safe Travels USA Comprehensive is administered by Trawick International and underwritten by Zurich Insurance Europe AG, Belgian branch.
• Network: both list a UnitedHealthcare network for US care. Trawick calls its version UHC Direct.
• In network: both pay 100% after the deductible.
• Out of network: Patriot America Plus pays 90% until you have paid $500 in coinsurance, then 100%. Safe Travels USA Comprehensive pays 100%.
• Maximums: Patriot America Plus offers up to $1,000,000 through age 69. Safe Travels USA Comprehensive offers $20,000 to $1,000,000.
• Deductibles: Patriot America Plus offers $0, $100, $250, $500, $1,000 or $2,500. Safe Travels USA Comprehensive offers $0, $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500 or $5,000.
• Acute onset: Patriot America Plus pays to the maximum under 70 and nothing from 70. Safe Travels USA Comprehensive steps down from the maximum to $35,000 to $20,000.

How does the Patriot America Plus out of network rule work?

IMG's certificate sets three columns of benefits: in network in the US, out of network in the US, and international. In the US network, the plan pays 100% after the deductible. Out of network in the US, it pays 90% and the insured pays 10%, with an out of pocket maximum of $500 for that coinsurance. Ten percent of $5,000 is $500, which is why the plan listing describes it as 90% of the first $5,000 and then 100%. The coinsurance comes in addition to the deductible.

Here is how that plays out on a $10,000 eligible bill at an out of network hospital, with a $250 deductible. You pay the $250 deductible first. On the next $5,000, the plan pays 90% and you pay $500. After that, the plan pays 100%. Your share is $750 and the plan pays $9,250. On Safe Travels USA Comprehensive with the same deductible, your share of the same eligible bill would be the $250 deductible, since it pays 100% after the deductible. The gap between the plans on this point is never more than $500 per period.

Two caveats apply to both plans. They pay only up to usual, reasonable, and customary charges, so an out of network provider can bill you for anything above what the insurer considers reasonable. And both reduce eligible expenses by 50% when a service that needs pre-certification goes ahead without it; Trawick names inpatient hospitalization and surgery. Use the network where you can; our guide to direct billing and PPO networks explains why.

Which plan covers pre-existing conditions at older ages?

Neither covers ongoing treatment of a known condition. Both cover the acute onset of a pre-existing condition, a sudden and unexpected flare that needs urgent treatment, and both look back three years when deciding whether a condition is pre-existing. The age rules are where they part ways.

Patriot America Plus pays acute onset up to the period of coverage limit, with evacuation for it capped at $25,000, but only while the insured is under 70. IMG's conditions include treatment within 24 hours, not traveling against medical advice or to seek treatment, not being in the middle of a new or changed treatment plan, and the condition having been stable for at least 30 days before the effective date without a change in treatment.

Safe Travels USA Comprehensive pays acute onset up to the maximum through age 69, $35,000 from 70, and $20,000 from 80, with evacuation for it limited to $25,000. Trawick uses similar conditions, adds that the episode must start at least 48 hours after the effective date, and covers only one acute onset episode per period. Trawick's schedule also limits cardiac conditions and stroke to $25,000 through 69 and $15,000 from 70, and defines cardiac conditions to include hypertension, high cholesterol, and heart attack. If heart health is part of the picture, ask Trawick how that limit applies before you buy.

The practical result: for a parent aged 70 to 89 with a condition that could flare, Safe Travels USA Comprehensive offers some acute onset protection and Patriot America Plus offers none. Read acute onset of pre-existing conditions explained before deciding.

What maximums, deductibles, and age limits apply?

IMG's benefit summary ties the maximum to age. Through age 69 you can choose $50,000, $100,000, $250,000, $500,000, or $1,000,000. From 70 to 79 the choice is $50,000 or $100,000, and from 80 the limit is $10,000. The certificate adds that when an insured reaches 70 or 80, the new age band applies at renewal. Patriot America Plus is open from 14 days old, and the plan listing shows no upper age.

Trawick's policy document lists medical maximums of $20,000 to $1,000,000 and does not tie them to an age band, but the plan is not available at 90 or over. Confirm the options offered for your traveler's age in the quote. Choose the maximum with our medical cost estimator, then set the same maximum and deductible on both plans so the comparison is fair. See policy maximums and deductibles for how to choose.

How long can each policy run?

Patriot America Plus covers 5 days up to 12 months per period. IMG's certificate allows extensions of at least 5 days until the insured reaches 24 continuous months, as long as the extension premium is paid and eligibility still holds. That suits families planning a long stay, such as grandparents helping with a new baby.

Safe Travels USA Comprehensive can be extended in blocks of at least 5 days, but the total period cannot exceed 364 days. Trawick's document states there is no grace period: if coverage lapses, a new policy restarts the pre-existing condition exclusion, deductible, and coinsurance. Whichever plan you pick, extend before the end date. Our guide to extending or renewing visitor insurance walks through it.

Which extras and exclusions differ?

• Pregnancy: IMG excludes prenatal care, delivery, and complications of pregnancy. Trawick includes emergency medical treatment of pregnancy up to $1,000 but excludes childbirth, miscarriage, and prenatal care.
• Mental health: excluded on Patriot America Plus. Safe Travels USA Comprehensive includes up to $2,500.
• Getting home early: Patriot America Plus includes return travel up to $10,000 after the death of a relative or serious damage to your home. Safe Travels USA Comprehensive includes trip interruption up to $5,000 for similar reasons.
• Luggage: up to $500 on Patriot America Plus, with $50 per item. Up to $1,000 on Safe Travels USA Comprehensive.
• Family support: Patriot America Plus lists emergency reunion up to $100,000 and political evacuation up to $100,000. Trawick lists $15,000 and $25,000.
• Small visits: urgent care costs a $25 copay on Patriot America Plus and $30 on Safe Travels USA Comprehensive. An emergency room visit for an illness without admission carries a $250 deductible on Patriot America Plus and a $200 additional deductible on Safe Travels USA Comprehensive.
• Other items: Safe Travels USA Comprehensive includes one well doctor visit up to $125 early in a policy of 30 days or more, and excludes a urinary tract infection needing inpatient care within 90 days of the effective date.

Who can buy each plan?

Patriot America Plus is for people traveling outside their country of residence, including to the US, and the plan listing adds US citizens living abroad and green card holders on short US trips. The listing marks it unavailable to residents or citizens of several countries, including Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, the Gambia, and Venezuela.

Safe Travels USA Comprehensive is for people who are not US citizens and live outside the US, and it is not available to anyone who has lived in the US for more than 365 days before the effective date. The listing marks it unavailable to residents of a long list that includes most of the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Australia, Nigeria, Ghana, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti.

How does Patriot America Plus compare with Atlas America?

According to WorldTrips, Atlas America pays 100% after the deductible in or out of network, offers up to $2,000,000 before age 65, and pays acute onset up to the overall maximum until age 80, but caps the maximum at $100,000 from 65 and $10,000 from 80. Atlas America's description of coverage defines usual and customary charges outside the US network as up to 150% of Medicare rates.

So from 70 to 79, Atlas America keeps acute onset cover that Patriot America Plus drops at 70. For a traveler under 65 who wants a maximum above $1,000,000, Atlas America is the only one of the two that offers it. Read Atlas America vs Patriot America and Atlas America vs Safe Travels USA Comprehensive.

Should you choose Patriot America Plus or Safe Travels USA Comprehensive?

Choose Patriot America Plus if:

• The traveler is under 70 and will stay near network providers, so the out of network coinsurance is unlikely to apply.
• The stay could run past 364 days, since IMG allows extensions to 24 continuous months.
• You want heart attack and stroke claims paid up to the full maximum, without the separate cardiac limit in Trawick's schedule.
• Higher emergency reunion, political evacuation, or return travel limits matter to you.
• The traveler lives in a country where Safe Travels USA Comprehensive is not sold.

Choose Safe Travels USA Comprehensive if:

• The traveler is 70 to 89 and you want some acute onset cover, which Patriot America Plus ends at 70.
• You want 100% out of network payment after the deductible, with no coinsurance.
• A small emergency pregnancy benefit, some mental health cover, or a well visit would be useful.
• You want a $5,000 deductible option to lower the premium.

Neither plan is better for everyone. Get visitor insurance quotes on Ombrela, set the same maximum and deductible for both, and read each brochure from the results before paying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Patriot Plus the same as Patriot America Plus?

Yes. Ombrela's quote results list IMG's plan as Patriot Plus, and the certificate IMG issues for visitors to the United States is titled Patriot America Plus. The benefits described in this guide come from that certificate. When you buy, the documents you receive will carry the Patriot America Plus name, the SiriusPoint underwriter, and your chosen maximum and deductible.

What does 90% up to $5,000, then 100% mean on Patriot America Plus?

It applies only to US providers outside the PPO network. After the deductible, the plan pays 90% of eligible expenses and you pay 10% until your coinsurance reaches $500, which happens after $5,000 of eligible charges. From then on the plan pays 100% up to the maximum. Inside the network, the plan pays 100% after the deductible from the start.

Which plan is better for parents over 70?

For acute onset cover, Safe Travels USA Comprehensive, because Patriot America Plus stops covering the acute onset of pre-existing conditions at 70. Safe Travels USA Comprehensive pays up to $35,000 from 70 and $20,000 from 80, though cardiac and stroke claims are limited to $15,000 from 70. Patriot America Plus also restricts maximums to $50,000 or $100,000 from 70 and $10,000 from 80.

Can Patriot America Plus or Safe Travels USA Comprehensive be extended?

Both can. IMG's certificate lets Patriot America Plus be extended in blocks of at least 5 days until the insured reaches 24 continuous months. Safe Travels USA Comprehensive can be extended in blocks of at least 5 days, but the total cannot exceed 364 days, and there is no grace period. Extend before the end date so the pre-existing condition exclusion does not restart.

Which plan is cheaper, Patriot America Plus or Safe Travels USA Comprehensive?

Neither is always cheaper. Premiums depend on age, trip length, maximum, deductible, and home country, and the lower price changes from one traveler to the next. Compare live prices for your age and dates with the same maximum and deductible on both, then weigh out of network payment, acute onset at your age, and the cardiac limit before deciding.

A good visitor plan is one you understand before you need it. Compare Patriot America Plus and Safe Travels USA Comprehensive on Ombrela for your traveler's exact age and dates.