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The Berkely Group is dedicated exclusively to providing the travel and cruise industries with high quality
insurance products and services. For over two and one-half decades travel agents, tour operators and cruise
lines have looked to Berkely as a resource for their insurance needs. In addition to quality insurance products
delivered with an unparalleled commitment to customer service, it is often noted that Berkely further
differentiates itself through the dedication of its human resources and their expertise in the travel industry.
Founded in 1976, the company has evolved into a number of separate operating entities that currently comprise
The Berkely Group, including Berkely Agency and BerkelyCare. Over the course of the last twenty-five years
and continuing today, the company continues to expand its offerings, further refine and improve the levels
of service provided and continually set new standards by which all suppliers to the travel industry are judged.
However, the guiding principles upon which the company was founded remain at the forefront as Berkely manages
its business today and proactively prepares for the future.
The cornerstone of the Berkely corporate philosophy is to:
attract and retain quality human resources; and
achieve a high degree of specialization in a limited number of areas.
We firmly believe that adherence to these concepts will invariably lead to success.
Two additional contributing factors that naturally evolve from these basic tenets are (1)
a commitment to quality service; and (2) development of highly specialized, custom-designed
computer software especially suited to our niche business.
The following descriptions provide further detail on the Berkely Agency and BerkelyCare subsidiaries.
Berkely Agency
The core product offered by Berkely Agency is Professional Liability (Errors & Omissions) Insurance
designed specifically for Travel Agents and Tour Operators. This important coverage, offered continuously
by Berkely since 1977, provides travel companies with essential protection against claims of professional
negligence.
Sometimes referred to as "malpractice" insurance, "errors and omissions" or simply "E&O," Berkely's policy
offers the worldwide coverage that is a necessary component in any prudent travel company's risk management
program. Berkely Agency is the undisputed leader in this important field as demonstrated by the overwhelming
support of both individual travel companies and industry associations, consortia and franchise groups.
The long-term success of a program such as Travel Agents Professional Liability Insurance requires a keen
understanding of both the insurance and travel industries. In addition to being insurance professionals,
the staff is expected to maintain an in-depth knowledge of the travel business, with trade publications such
as Tour and Travel News, Travel Agent Magazine, Travel Trade, and Travel Weekly considered required reading.
Berkely's diverse client demographics include all types of travel companies from rural, single location
retailers to the overwhelming majority of mega-agencies who utilize Berkely as their E&O insurance provider.
This loyal customer base developed as a result of more than twenty-five years of experience, hard work and
dedication to the travel community. The competitively priced and sound, stable products provided are just
a natural progression from adherence to another fundamental Berkely philosophy of meeting the needs of clients.
BerkelyCare
Berkely is recognized as an innovator in the travel insurance field, having developed the concept of trip
cancellation coverage as early as 1964 and having pioneered the development of customized passenger protection
insurance for cruise lines and tour operators through its BerkelyCare subsidiary.
Today, the company continues its leadership role as not only an administrator of travel insurance programs,
but as a full-service insurance firm accommodating the cruise and travel industry. BerkelyCare offers a wide
array of administrative, marketing and consulting services as part of its overall client service program.
BerkelyCare is the dominant provider in the proprietary insurance field, with a list of client partners
representing a virtual "who's who" of the largest, most recognizable names in the cruise and tour industries.
In addition to providing its clients with turnkey services including consultation and assistance with
administration, pricing, advertising and marketing, the company also offers automated servicing of accounts.
These proprietary passenger insurance programs for individual cruise lines are custom designed. Cruise line
clients customize their insurance programs by providing unique variations of these services and the level of
protection provided. Clients can choose from a large menu of services including trip cancellation and
interruption protection, baggage/personal effects protection, baggage delay reimbursement, travel delay
reimbursement, emergency evacuation, accident/sickness medical and dental expense, and coverage for repatriation
of remains. Programs may also include a wide variety of worldwide emergency assistance services for passengers.
These include emergency cash transfer, medical consultation and monitoring, emergency legal assistance and
emergency medical payments assistance.
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