IMG Global vs Asteroid: The Complete Guide

IMG Global is one of the largest travel insurers in the world, known for comprehensive policies and the trust it has earned in international markets. But is it the best option for your trip? Let us dig into that question by comparing IMG Global with Asteroid, a solution designed around the traveler.

Who Is IMG Global?

IMG Global is an American insurer founded in 1967, a subsidiary of Worldwide Insurance Group. It is widely distributed through American universities, exchange programs and international trips by Americans.

The defining trait of IMG Global is that its standard policy is designed and written for the American market. That does not mean it cannot work for travelers from elsewhere, but it does mean friction: English-only paperwork, processes aligned with American realities, and a TPA that answers in English.

Comparison Table: IMG Global vs Asteroid

The 5 Main Problems with IMG Global for International Travelers

1. Support Exclusively in English

IMG Global is an American company, and its support runs in English. When you call from a hospital in Lima or Bogotá to say you are sick, you will be explaining your symptoms to an agent who may never have set foot in Latin America.

That creates communication barriers at the exact moments you most need clarity. With Asteroid, you call and speak your language with someone who understands the region you are traveling in.

2. A Bureaucratic Process with Third Parties

IMG Global uses Global Assistance as its TPA. When you have a claim, your documentation passes to that third company, which reviews it, processes it and sends the result back. Every handoff is an opportunity for delay and lost context.

Asteroid has its own TPA (MDabroad), integrated into the system. No third parties, no information handed off to other companies, no discontinuity. Everything happens in one place.

3. Extremely Slow Processing

IMG Global is known to take 3 to 5 weeks to process a claim. If you had a US$550 medical expense while traveling, you will wait over a month to be reimbursed.

For travelers without unlimited international credit — which is most of us — that is a big problem. Asteroid processes claims in under 24 hours.

4. No Dedicated Hospital Network in LatAm

Although IMG Global has a global network, it has no strong hospital partnerships in Latin America. If you get sick on a regional trip, you will likely pay out of pocket and claim reimbursement later.

Asteroid has direct hospital partnerships in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia and other countries across the region. In many cases you pay nothing on the spot.

5. Generic, Unoptimized Coverage

IMG Global's coverage is designed for the American traveler. Some risks that matter for travelers from other regions may not be adequately covered, or covered at very low amounts.

For example, the "baggage", "documents" and "delay" coverage is set at amounts that make sense for an American traveling — and may not for everyone else.

Why Asteroid Is the Stronger Choice for Most Travelers

The fundamental difference is that Asteroid was built by and for travelers across Latin America. It is not a translated American policy; it is a policy created from scratch with the trip in mind.

Agile: quote in 60 seconds, fast processing, everything digital.

Regional: a hospital network where you travel, multilingual support, coverage optimized for LatAm realities.

Automatic: flight-delay payouts are automatic, and claims are processed without your constant intervention.

Transparent: you talk directly to Asteroid, no intermediaries. You know exactly where your claim stands.

When to Use Each One

Choose IMG Global if: you are on an American exchange program, or you travel exclusively and frequently to the USA and want compatibility with the American system.

Choose Asteroid if: you travel across Latin America, Europe, Asia or anywhere else, want support in your language and want claims processed fast.

Verdict: for most travelers there is no reason to choose IMG Global. Asteroid is faster, cheaper, has better support and is designed around you.

Real Scenario: What Happens in a Claim

Imagine you are traveling through Argentina and a fall leaves you with a US$460 medical bill.

With IMG Global: 1. You call the emergency number (in English) 2. They direct you to a hospital (which may not be a partner) 3. You pay out of pocket 4. You send documentation in English to Global Assistance 5. You wait 3-5 weeks 6. You get reimbursed

With Asteroid: 1. You call support (in your language) 2. They point you to a partner hospital near you 3. You go and show your Asteroid card 4. The hospital bills Asteroid directly — you pay nothing 5. The claim is already processed

The experience is completely different. One is bureaucracy; the other is care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is IMG Global safer than Asteroid?

A: Both are regulated, trustworthy insurers. IMG Global is bigger and older, but that does not make it safer. Asteroid is fully regulated with all required approvals. What matters is speed and efficiency at claim time, where Asteroid is clearly superior.

Q: If I buy IMG Global, can I use it for trips to any country?

A: Yes, IMG Global has global coverage. But with no dedicated network in Latin America, that coverage is less practical on the ground there. Asteroid also covers 162+ countries, more than enough for popular destinations.

Q: Is IMG Global cheaper?

A: No. IMG Global costs on average 20-30% more than Asteroid. If you travel frequently, the price difference plus the time saved on claims makes Asteroid the better financial choice.

Q: What is Asteroid's reputation?

A: Asteroid is a young insurtech growing fast across the region. It has positive reviews on consumer platforms and is backed by serious venture capital. Its reputation is excellent and rising.

Q: Can I upgrade my coverage with Asteroid?

A: Yes, Asteroid offers different coverage tiers, from basic to premium. You choose the level that fits your trip and destination, and you can adjust it at any time while the policy is active.