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Allianz Care vs IMG Global (GPMI) for expats in Asia

Allianz Care and IMG's Global Prima are two of the most underwriting-flexible international private medical insurance (IPMI) plans on the market, but they flex in different directions. IPMIAsia compares them for individuals, families and employers in Asia.

Last updated: 20 October 2026 · Reviewed by IPMIAsia

In short: Choose Allianz Care if you are an individual or family with medical history who wants to pick the underwriting basis and a clean core-plus-modules structure from a global insurer. Choose IMG Global if you want dental and maternity as pay-only-if-needed add-ons, or you are arranging company or group cover in Asia where IMG's Medical History Disregarded basis can set staff history aside. Neither is reliably cheaper.

Key takeaways

Allianz lets individuals choose FMU, Moratorium with a 24-month waiting period, CPME or switch terms; IMG's MHD is for groups only.
IMG's dental add-on has a 6-month wait (accidents covered immediately) and routine maternity a 10-month wait.
Allianz publishes four areas, Worldwide, Worldwide excluding USA, Africa only and Europe, none of them Asia-only; IMG confirms the area at quote.
Allianz pays 80% of inpatient and 50% of benefits if pre-authorisation is skipped; IMG needs five working days' notice for a Guarantee of Payment.

At a glance

	Allianz Care	IMG Global (GPMI)
Plan structure	Care Base / Enhanced / Signature, plus modules	Bronze / Bronze Plus / Silver / Gold / Platinum
Dental and maternity	Optional out-patient and dental modules at the core level	Optional dental (6-month wait) and maternity (10-month wait)
Area of cover	Worldwide, worldwide excluding USA, Africa only or Europe (Table of Benefits, Care, Nov 2025, p.20)	Confirmed at quote
Underwriting	FMU, Moratorium (24 months), CPME or switch terms	FMU, Moratorium, CPME and MHD for groups
Claims	Pre-authorised inpatient (80/50 if missed); MyHealth app	Guarantee of Payment direct billing; pre-authorise 5 working days ahead
Servicing	MyHealth app and 24/7 helpline	MyIMG / MyALC portal, 24/7 helpline and WhatsApp
Stands out for	Individual underwriting choice and a global brand	Modular cover and group MHD

Where each one wins

Allianz's edge is individual underwriting choice and brand. For a person with medical history, being able to pick between Full Medical Underwriting (Allianz's application has 20 health questions, and you get certainty upfront), Moratorium (no questions, but a 24-month waiting period on pre-existing conditions) and CPME or switch terms when moving insurer is genuinely valuable. The structure is easy to read: a core plan at Base, Enhanced or Signature level, with out-patient and dental modules that must sit at the same level. Behind it is one of the world's largest insurers.

IMG's edge is modularity and group cover. Dental and routine maternity are bolt-ons you add only if you need them, with a 6-month wait on dental (accidents covered immediately) and a 10-month wait on maternity. For company and group schemes, IMG's Medical History Disregarded (MHD) basis can set members' medical history aside entirely, subject to a minimum number of lives that varies by insurer, and that is something Allianz's individual menu does not offer. IMG also lists FMU, Moratorium and CPME, and may offer an alternative if it cannot provide the route you applied for.

On claims, both pre-authorise planned hospital treatment. Allianz pays 80% of inpatient and 50% of other eligible benefits if required pre-authorisation is skipped, and reimburses out-patient and dental through the MyHealth app, with invoices due within 60 days of discharge. IMG issues a Guarantee of Payment to the hospital once planned treatment is pre-authorised, at least five working days before admission, and runs everything through the MyIMG / MyALC portal.

Reading the comparison from Asia: individuals, families and employers

For an individual or family living in Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines or Japan, Allianz publishes the clearer area menu: Worldwide, Worldwide excluding USA, Africa only and Europe (Table of Benefits, Care, Nov 2025, p.20), with worldwide excluding the USA the natural pick for cover across the region. IMG confirms the area at quote, so ask whether the USA can be excluded and whether regional hubs you might use for treatment are inside the area. Neither insurer offers an Asia-only area in the documents read; our guide to regional versus worldwide cover in Asia explains when that would matter. Plan currency is confirmed at quote with both, so line the limits up in one currency before comparing.

The underwriting question is the one that usually decides it for individuals. Someone moving off a local or employer plan in Asia with existing exclusions can carry them across under either insurer's CPME route. Someone with a condition they would rather declare and have assessed uses FMU with either. Someone who wants no questions and has had two clean years leans to Allianz's Moratorium, with its published 24-month rule. Our pre-existing conditions guide walks through each route.

For an employer in Asia putting a team on cover, IMG's MHD basis is the first thing to ask about, subject to the minimum number of lives. Allianz also offers group cover, so the decision comes down to group size, member health and price. IPMIAsia quotes both insurers through Nomi so the trade-offs can be seen against real premiums for your residence; the Singapore, Hong Kong and Thailand pages give the local context. Read the full breakdowns of Allianz Care and IMG Global.

Which should you choose?

Choose Allianz Care if…

You are an individual or family with medical history who wants to choose the underwriting basis, you like a clean core-plus-modules structure, and you want a global insurer's name behind the policy.

Choose IMG Global if…

You want modular cover where dental and maternity are paid for only if needed, or you are arranging company or group cover in Asia where MHD can set medical history aside.

Read the full breakdowns: Allianz Care guide · IMG Global (GPMI) guide.

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FAQ

Is Allianz or IMG cheaper in Asia?

Neither is reliably cheaper. The price depends on your age, country of residence, cover level, deductible and optional benefits. IMG's modularity can lower its price if you skip dental and maternity. IPMIAsia quotes both live through Nomi so you can compare for your own situation.

Which is better for pre-existing conditions?

Both are flexible, in different ways. For individuals, Allianz lets you choose FMU, Moratorium with a 24-month waiting period, or switch terms. For groups, IMG's MHD basis can disregard medical history entirely, subject to a minimum number of lives. The right route depends on whether the cover is individual or group.

Which is better for a company or group scheme in Asia?

IMG often wins for groups because of its Medical History Disregarded option. Allianz also offers group cover, and the best choice depends on group size, member health and price, which is why it pays to compare both.

Which has the clearer area of cover for Asia?

Allianz publishes four areas: Worldwide, Worldwide excluding USA, Africa only and Europe; the two worldwide areas cover Asia. IMG confirms the area at quote. With either, check that the area covers the countries you travel between and the regional hubs you might use for serious treatment.

General information, not personal or medical advice. Based on each insurer’s plan documentation; exact terms, limits and underwriting are confirmed at quote. Prices are indicative. Allianz and IMG names and logos are the property of their respective owners.