Quick take in one paragraph
IMG Global and Battleface compete for the modular, customization-loving traveler. Both let you choose your coverage limits and add-ons rather than picking from rigid tiers. IMG Global is the 35-year-old workhorse (founded 1990, SiriusPoint backed, 22,000+ Trustpilot reviews) with very high coverage limits up to $8 million. Battleface is the 8-year-old challenger (founded 2017, Spinnaker backed, 2,300+ Trustpilot reviews) focused on adventure travelers with sharper pricing. For most adventure-focused travelers under 65, Battleface offers better value. For travelers wanting very high coverage limits, longer trip durations, or Schengen visa compliance, IMG Global is stronger.
Head-to-head comparison
| Feature | Battleface Discovery | IMG Patriot International |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2017 (8 years) | 1990 (35 years) |
| Underwriter | Spinnaker Insurance (A-) | SiriusPoint America (A-) + United States Fire (A) |
| Plan structure | Modular build-your-own | Pre-set tiers (Lite, Plus, Platinum) |
| Starting price (monthly equivalent) | $40-80 | $29-50 (Lite) |
| Maximum medical | $100,000 | $50,000 to $8,000,000 |
| Medical evacuation | $500,000 (up to $1M NH) | $1,000,000 (Platinum) |
| Adventure activities | Included by default | Sports rider on Gold/Platinum (under 49) |
| Maximum age | 85 | 79 |
| Maximum trip duration | Single trips (typical 90 days) | 24 months (Lite), 36 months (Platinum) |
| Trip cancellation | Standard on Discovery | Available on iTravelInsured plans |
| Schengen visa compliant | Possible (check plan) | Yes (Lite or Platinum, $0 deductible, $50K+) |
| Trustpilot reviews | 2,300+ (4.7/5) | 22,000+ (4.6/5, 90% are 4-5 stars) |
| Claim speed typical | 7-14 days | 10-14 days |
Two different positions in the market
IMG Global: the workhorse
International Medical Group has been issuing international insurance since 1990. They are part of the SiriusPoint Group (NYSE: SPNT) since 2020. Their product portfolio is broad: Patriot Travel (short-term), Patriot International (non-US), Global Medical Plan (long-term expat), iTravelInsured (traditional trip insurance), Patriot America Plus (foreign nationals in the US).
The defining feature is scale and depth. 22,005 Trustpilot reviews is more than any other nomad insurance provider on the market. 90% of those reviews give 4 or 5 stars. The financial backing is rock solid (SiriusPoint and United States Fire). They issue Schengen visa letters immediately upon purchase. They offer plans for travelers up to age 79.
The trade-off is user experience. The app feels dated. The claim process is sometimes described as "lengthy." Customer satisfaction ranks 12th on Squaremouth despite the strong product fundamentals. IMG works for travelers who care more about coverage substance than interface polish.
Battleface: the modular challenger
Battleface launched in 2017 explicitly targeting adventure travelers who want customizable, fairly-priced coverage. The Discovery plan is fully modular - you pick which benefits you want and what limits, paying only for what you need. Adventure activities are included by default across all plans.
Backed by Spinnaker Insurance (A-) for US policies and Munich Re for some international policies. ITIJ International Travel and Health Insurer of the Year 2020. Available in US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Belgium.
The trade-off is scale. 2,300 Trustpilot reviews is solid but 10x less than IMG. Brand recognition is growing but not yet ubiquitous. Some claims processing has been criticized as slow (Battleface has acknowledged this publicly).
Pricing scenarios
Scenario A: 35-year-old, 3-month trip across Latin America, moderate adventure
- Battleface Discovery (Emergency Medical $100K, Evac $500K, Adventure default): approximately $250-350
- IMG Patriot International Platinum ($2M max, includes Sports Rider): approximately $215-280
IMG is slightly cheaper here, with higher medical limits. Battleface offers built-in adventure coverage rather than a rider. For most travelers, IMG Platinum at $2M is better value than Battleface for similar trip parameters.
Scenario B: 28-year-old, 2-week Alps ski trip, $3,000 in non-refundable bookings
- Battleface Discovery (with Trip Cancellation, ski default included): approximately $150-200
- IMG Patriot Platinum (with Sports Rider for skiing): approximately $90-130 (without trip cancellation)
- IMG iTravelInsured LX (with trip cancellation, sports limited): approximately $200-280
Battleface wins for this scenario - it bundles trip cancellation with default ski coverage cleanly. IMG would require choosing between travel medical (cheaper but no trip cancellation) or iTravelInsured (trip cancellation but limited sports).
Scenario C: 60-year-old expat, 12-month stay in Spain
- Battleface: typically single-trip, max ~90 days per trip. Multi-Trip Annual is for frequent short trips, not extended stays.
- IMG Patriot International Lite (extendable to 24 months): approximately $90-130/month
IMG clearly wins for extended stays. Battleface is fundamentally a trip insurance product, not an expat product.
Schengen visa applications
If you are applying for a Schengen visa or any European long-term visa, this is a significant differentiator.
IMG Global
- Patriot International Lite at $50,000 minimum, $0 deductible meets Schengen requirements
- Patriot International Platinum at $2M+ exceeds requirements significantly
- Immediately after purchase, IMG emails a visa letter document specifically formatted for embassy requirements
- The visa letter explicitly states the policy meets Schengen Treaty Article 15 requirements
Battleface
- Coverage limits can meet Schengen requirements depending on chosen build
- Less explicit visa letter support
- Less universal embassy familiarity (newer brand)
For visa applications, IMG is the safer choice. Their visa letter is recognized at most Schengen embassies and has 35 years of acceptance history. Battleface can work but requires more care in policy construction.
Adventure sports coverage
| Activity | Battleface Discovery | IMG Patriot Platinum (with Sports Rider, under 49) |
|---|---|---|
| Hiking / trekking | ✓ Default | ✓ Default |
| Scuba diving recreational | ✓ Default | ✓ With Sports Rider |
| Skiing / snowboarding | ✓ Default | ✓ With Sports Rider |
| Rock climbing | ✓ Default | ✓ With Sports Rider |
| Mountain climbing under 5,500m | ✓ Default | ✓ Limited |
| White water rafting | ✓ Default | ✓ With Sports Rider |
| Adventure traveler over 49 | ✓ Default | ✗ Sports Rider not available |
Battleface clearly wins for adventure coverage simplicity. Default inclusion regardless of age. IMG requires Sports Rider purchase, and the rider is age-restricted (under 49 only).
Claim experience comparison
IMG Global
- 22,000+ Trustpilot reviews provide statistically meaningful data
- 90% of customers rate 4-5 stars
- Direct response from IMG (ratingsandreviews@imglobal.com) on negative reviews
- NerdWallet and Squaremouth both note "claim approval can be lengthy" for complex cases
- Simple emergency medical claims process smoothly
Battleface
- 2,300+ Trustpilot reviews show 4.7/5 average
- BBB A+ accredited with only 2 complaints in 3 years
- In-house claims team called Robin Assist with 24/7 emergency assistance
- Some criticism of slower processing on complex claims
- Battleface publicly acknowledged the criticism and stated improvement
Both have similar patterns: smooth for simple claims, sometimes slow for complex ones. IMG has 10x more review volume, which gives more statistical confidence in the 90% positive rate.
Who should choose what
Choose Battleface if:
- You are an adventure traveler who values default sport coverage without a rider
- You are over 49 (IMG's Sports Rider is unavailable above age 49)
- Your trip is single-purpose with non-refundable bookings (trip cancellation built in)
- You want modular control over which specific benefits you pay for
- You are willing to spend 5 minutes building a policy
Choose IMG Global if:
- You need very high medical limits ($2M-$8M)
- You are applying for Schengen visa (or other visa requiring insurance proof)
- Your trip is longer than 90 days (up to 36 months on Platinum)
- You are a long-term expat needing renewable annual coverage (Global Medical Plan)
- You value 35 years of brand history and 22,000+ review track record
- You are over 79 (then neither - look at Allianz Care or specialist providers)
Our verdict
This is a closer comparison than Battleface vs SafetyWing. Both are legitimate options for different types of travelers.
For pure value on adventure trips under 90 days: Battleface. Default adventure coverage, no age restrictions on the Sports Rider issue, trip cancellation built into Discovery plan.
For visa applications, very high coverage limits, or extended international stays: IMG Global. The product portfolio handles use cases Battleface cannot address.
For adventure travelers under 49 doing short trips, the choice depends on whether modular customization (Battleface) or pre-set tiers (IMG) feels more comfortable to you. Both work, both deliver on coverage promises.
NomadShield does not currently have affiliate partnerships with Battleface or IMG Global. Both partnerships are under consideration. This comparison is made independently of commercial relationships.