Christie pushing feds to resolve Sandy flood claims

New Jersey officials are trying to speed up Superstorm Sandy-related insurance claims.

Members of Gov. Chris Christie’s Cabinet traveled Tuesday to Union Beach, one of the towns hit hard by the storm, to talk with residents about the progress of their claims.

Insurance Commissioner Ken Kobylowski said homeowners have been frustrated by the delays in processing those claims.

“They have been in contact with their insurance companies, the adjuster has been out to their property, but yet they have heard from that adjuster or their company and it’s been several weeks,” Kobylowski said.

A new order from the Insurance Department requires state-regulated insurance companies to respond to consumer-filed complaints within five days.

Christie says 85 percent of homeowner claims have been resolved, but only 30 percent of flood claims have been processed by the National Flood Insurance Program.

“That’s just unacceptable for people who have paid these premiums, and I’m not going to sit around and take it quietly any longer,” he said.

He’s urging the state’s congressional delegation to put pressure on the feds to send more staff to New Jersey so those claims are resolved quickly.