Hurricane Sandy vehicle damage toll now 230,000

US: Hurricane Sandy vehicle damage toll now 230,000 say insurers

By Simon Warburton | 27 November 2012

Insurance estimates in the US for the number of vehicles damaged by the recent Hurricane Sandy put the figure at 230,000, as claims processed have now been reviewed.

New York had the most vehicles affected by the storm with 130,000 damaged, while New Jersey generated 60,000 claims.

A further 40,000 were reported from Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia.

The figures - from the US National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) - are preliminary and may change as additional claims are received and processed.

Equally, there is no determination as to the extent of damage to the vehicles. They could have sustained minor paint scratches from flying debris, or have been under water for days and rendered total losses.

The NICB is advising consumers is to be aware severely damaged vehicles may appear advertised for sale without any indication they were affected by Sandy and is urging caution when buying a used car following a disaster such as the recent hurricane.

Sectors: Environment, Retailing, marketing & distribution