Hurricane Sandy VS. Super Storm Sandy: A Tale of Two Deductibles

by Andrea Pelletier

The National Hurricane Center’s declaration that Sandy became a “post–tropical storm” just before it made landfall, provided cost savings to homeowners along the northeast coast. Although Sandy was designated a hurricane for the majority of time it traveled up the coast, it failed to sustain hurricane-force winds at landfall, so it was officially a tropical storm. …

To assist those affected by Sandy, state officials from New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and Maryland have taken action to prohibit insurance companies from imposing the costly hurricane deductibles on homeowners with claims.

However, several states affected by Sandy will still allow the hurricane deductible to come into play. In North Carolina, for instance, Sandy was still a hurricane when it passed by.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, states allowing hurricane deductibles have specific “triggers” that vary by state and insurer.

In the state of Florida, a “hurricane” is defined as a storm declared by the National Hurricane Center, and begins with the issuance of the first public advisory of a ‘Hurricane Watch’ or ‘Warning’ by the National Hurricane Center for any part of the state, and ends 72 hours after the National Hurricane Center discontinues the last ‘Hurricane Watch’ or ‘Warning’ for any part of the state.

Andrea Pelletier, CPIA is a Client Advisor at Gulfshore Insurance. Andrea works with a wide range of clients to deliver strategic risk management and insurance guidance. Comments and questions are welcome at apelletier@gulfshoreinsurance.com