We purchased RT airfare for 2 through Expedia in order to attend a family member's funeral in Sweden. Expedia offered travel insurance; we paid $76 for the travel insurance and $2,531 for the airfare. Expedia and/or Berkeley Care never provided a copy of the travel insurance policy, and we were never informed about the insurance carrier's policies and procedures prior to the trip.in retrospect, we relied upon the the Expedia website travel insurance, since we had previously used Expedia for our travel needs.
Prior to the departure date, my partner, age 86, became so ill-disposed that we had to cancel the trip. To supplement our travel claim, we provided Berkeley Care with a statement from a neurological surgeon that indicated "... She has residual and progressive problems including low back pain, tremors, poor balance and urinary problems. These symptoms flared up prior to her anticipated overseas flight and, therefore she was unable to travel..." The family physician provided a statement, and we also supplied two hospital MRI reports, and an X-ray report.
Berkeley Care stated in their denial letter, "The sickness must a) commence while your coverage is in effect under the plan; b) require the examination and treatment by a Physician at the time the trip is cancelled; and c) in a written opinion of the treating Physician, be so disabling as to prevent you from taking your trip." Berkeley Care has no written appeals policy; their denial letter referred us to the CA Department of Insurance.
We will contact the Department of Insurance, because we believe Berkeley Care travel insurance is a total complete fraud. Also noted, the denial letter was signed "For Stonebridge Insurance Company"???
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