My travel insurance claim has been denied, and so have my appeals. I hope you can help us. My husband and I were scheduled to visit India last Thanksgiving, the day after the horrific terrorist event began. British and Americans were being singled out and murdered, hotels were being burned, and threats were made of hijacking and attacks on airports and train stations in the country.
We were terrified of the unfolding events and canceled our travel plans. We had purchased a travel insurance policy through Access America. One of the named perils is a terrorist event. Access America has denied our claim because we were scheduled to travel to New Delhi, and the hotel that was under siege was in Mumbai.
I believe the definition of destination – according to their policy and the online dictionary – includes the entire country. Plus, as part of the terrorist activity, impending threats were made to airports, train stations and other places throughout India.
We've lost about $7,300. Is there anything you can do?
– Diane Gandara, Napa
I agree with your definition of a destination.
Access America should have refunded the money you spent on your vacation.
Why didn't it? I asked the company, and a representative told me that in order to make a successful claim, the terrorist event would have to occur in the city you were traveling to. Since you were on your way to Delhi, not Mumbai, the claims examiner was technically correct to deny your request.
That clause should have been clearly spelled out in your contract. If you didn't read it before you bought your policy, you should have reviewed it before making your claim. That way, you could have saved yourself months of pointless back-and-forth between you and the insurance company.
You were correct to appeal your case to Access America. More than 90 percent of insurance appeals are decided in a traveler's favor. After that, you could have gone to arbitration, which means you allow a neutral third party to decide your case. Or you could have taken Access America to court.
As it turns out, none of that would be necessary. Access America recently switched to a new underwriter with a more inclusive definition of "destination." It reviewed your claim again. "In this case," said spokesman Mark Cipolletti, "the entire country of India should be considered the destination."
Access America agreed to process your $7,300 claim.
TRIPS AND TOURS
Ron Lamb, an experienced traveler and pilot, will speak to the No Reservations Travel Club about southern Africa at 7 p.m. Monday in the Carmichael Library Community Room, 5605 Marconi Ave., Carmichael.
Lamb will discuss the safari by private plane that he and his wife took to Botswana and Zambia. The program is free.
Information: (916) 457-1426 or www.noreservationstravelclub. blogspot.com.
Ski star-studded gala
Usher in the ski season with "A Toast to Tahoe Skiing" at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Resort at Squaw Valley in Olympic Valley. The fundraiser gala for the Squaw Valley Institute will feature Paralympian Mark Wellman, who crossed the Sierra on a sit-ski; gourmet food; a fashion show featuring local Olympians and ski film athletes; a video history of Lake Tahoe's resorts; an auction; and the premiere of the Lake Tahoe segment of a new ski film. Tickets are $85-$120. Information: (530) 581-4138 or www.squawvalleyinstitute.org.
Passion for the arts
• More than 70 artists will showcase and demonstrate their work at the 16th annual Autumn Art Studios Tour in Placer County, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 13-15. Find original art and prints, custom jewelry, gift items and greeting cards during the self-guided tour. Tickets are $10. Information: (530) 885-5670 or www.placerarts.org.
• More than 100 artists will participate in the Berkeley Artisans Holiday Open Studios, a free, self-guided tour from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 28-29 through Dec. 19-20 at various locations in Berkeley. The 19th annual event will offer fine art and crafts such as blown glass, and functional and decorative ceramics. For a list of participants and a map: www.berkeleyartisans.com.
Information: (510) 845-2612.
Home tour in the Valley
A celebration of Fresno's diverse architectural heritage and an exploration of the city's past, the 30th annual historic home tour Nov. 13-14, presented by the Fresno Historical Society, will feature five homes on Huntington Boulevard. Tickets are $30-$50. Information: (559) 441-0862 or www.valleyhistory.org.
– Genny Howe
Christopher Elliott, ombudsman for National Geographic Traveler magazine, writes this column for Tribune Media Services. You can read more travel tips on his blog, elliott.org, or e-mail him at celliott@ngs.org.
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