Insurance companies trying to increase deductibles for Sandy victims
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Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) says he has warned insurance companies not try to skirt their obligations to their policyholders.
Schumer held a Sunday press conference claiming reports indicate that these companies are pushing to have the storm reclassified as a Hurricane, rather than a "post tropical cyclone." That storm reclassification that would increase deductibles for homeowners by tens of thousands of dollars if successful.
Schumer said that homeowners across the New York area have paid thousands of dollars in premiums and that they should be receiving world-class service from the companies in this time of crisis.
"Superstorm Sandy left many homeowners' lives in shambles, and private insurance companies - who have collected thousands and thousands of dollars in premiums - should be doing everything possible to help them clean up the mess and rebuild, not trying to skirt their obligations," Schumer said. "The state and federal government both classified this storm as a post tropical cyclone, not a hurricane, and insurance companies shouldn't try to alter reality to save money on the backs of homeowners."
Homeowner's insurance policies frequently have special deductibles for storms classified as "hurricanes." In almost all cases, these deductibles are far higher than those for other types of storms. A typical hurricane deductible is between 1% and 5% of the value of a home, amounts that easily run into the tens of thousands of dollars in expensive real estate markets such as the New York region. Non-hurricane deductibles, on the other hand, are usually a fixed amount, oftentimes less than $1,000.
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:56 PM EDT2013-05-23 22:56:23 GMT
Some Long Island residents impacted by Superstorm Sandy are lending a helping hand to those devastated by the monster tornado in Oklahoma. "We had four, five days to prepare, they had like five minutes,"
Some Long Island residents impacted by Superstorm Sandy are lending a helping hand to those devastated by the monster tornado in Oklahoma. "We had four, five days to prepare, they had like five minutes,"
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:55 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:55:01 GMT
Jersey shore town is celebrating a milestone as it rebuilds from Superstorm Sandy. Belmar officials will reopen their 1.3-mile boardwalk that was destroyed by the October storm.
Jersey shore town is celebrating a milestone as it rebuilds from Superstorm Sandy. Belmar officials will reopen their 1.3-mile boardwalk that was destroyed by the October storm.
Monday, May 20 2013 7:05 PM EDT2013-05-20 23:05:15 GMT
A private country club opened its golf course to the public for a charity tournament to raise money for Superstorm Sandy relief. The Westlake Golf and Country Club in Jackson hosted the event on May 13,
A private country club opened its golf course to the public for a charity tournament to raise money for Superstorm Sandy relief. The Westlake Golf and Country Club in Jackson hosted the event on May 13,
Friday, May 17 2013 9:12 PM EDT2013-05-18 01:12:56 GMT
A welcome sight in Coney Island: workers cleaning umbrellas, wiping down counters, and putting the finishing touches on a rebuilt Original Nathan's Famous.
A welcome sight in Coney Island: workers cleaning umbrellas, wiping down counters, and putting the finishing touches on a rebuilt Original Nathan's Famous.
With two weeks to go before the summer crowds arrive, New Jersey shore towns are in a race to finish rebuilding boardwalks wrecked by Superstorm Sandy.
With two weeks to go before the summer crowds arrive, New Jersey shore towns are in a race to finish rebuilding boardwalks wrecked by Superstorm Sandy.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:08 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:08:29 GMT
A bus chaperone is accused of going on a profanity-laced tirade towards a group of 12 and 13-year-olds and a piece of candy may be what started the incident.
A bus chaperone is accused of going on a profanity-laced tirade towards a group of 12 and 13-year-olds and a piece of candy may be what started the incident.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:15 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:15:21 GMT
An Army soldier has been charged with secretly photographing and videotaping women at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, including in a bathroom.
An Army soldier has been charged with secretly photographing and videotaping women at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, including in a bathroom.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:10 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:10:21 GMT
Commuter rail service from Connecticut to New York City, along with Amtrak service between Boston and New York, was back on schedule Wednesday morning on one of the nation's oldest and most heavily traveled railways.
Commuter rail service from Connecticut to New York City, along with Amtrak service between Boston and New York, was back on schedule Wednesday morning on one of the nation's oldest and most heavily traveled railways.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:42 AM EDT2013-05-22 11:42:24 GMT
The National Weather Service is looking into whether a tornado touched down in a rural eastern New York county during a series of severe thunderstorms that rumbled across the upstate region.
The National Weather Service is looking into whether a tornado touched down in a rural eastern New York county during a series of severe thunderstorms that rumbled across the upstate region.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:25 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:25:20 GMT
Gov. Andrew Cuomo and St. Regis Mohawk tribal leaders have signed an agreement to ensure the Mohawks keep their exclusive casino territory in northern New York while paying the state $30 million in gambling
Gov. Andrew Cuomo and St. Regis Mohawk tribal leaders have signed an agreement to ensure the Mohawks keep their exclusive casino territory in northern New York while paying the state $30 million in gambling
Tuesday, May 21 2013 1:15 PM EDT2013-05-21 17:15:24 GMT
An NYPD detective is accused of hacking into department computers and obtaining information about dozens of people including co-workers. Edwin Vargas was arrested Tuesday outside his home in Bronxville.
An NYPD detective is accused of hacking into department computers and obtaining information about dozens of people including co-workers.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:58 AM EDT2013-05-20 09:58:10 GMT
The Connecticut Department of Transportation and Metro-North Railroad released the following information regarding service on the New Haven commuter rail line
The Connecticut Department of Transportation and Metro-North Railroad released the following information regarding service on the New Haven commuter rail line
Sunday, May 19 2013 8:05 PM EDT2013-05-20 00:05:54 GMT
Amtrak announced Sunday night that service remains suspended between New York and New Haven, with limited Amtrak service available between Boston and New Haven.
Amtrak announced Sunday night that service remains suspended between New York and New Haven, with limited Amtrak service available between Boston and New Haven.
