Now i reread the line that Bookworm quoted, I can see his/her point....
I agree almost entirely with BW. I tend to plan for IFR flights end-to-end if it looks marginal.
I have been caught once when a VFR flight had to turn IFR - a local flight where there was an entirely unforecast heavy rain storm, which left leaving filthy vis over my destination. Without the IMC, I would have diverted. With it, and my trusty Jepps plates, straight in.
I do wonder if the CAA is behind some of this confusion - and dare I say misselling? - of the IMC. They are the only authority that issues it or recognises it, perhaps they are trying to get shot of it as well??
TA