N.Y. Federal Judge Allows Insurer to File 3rd Party Complaint Against City in Sandy Coverage Action

NEW YORK — A New York federal judge has allowed the defendant insurer in a Superstorm Sandy coverage action to file a third-party action against the City of New York for indemnity and contribution in connection with a tree that fell on the plaintiff’s home during the storm.

During an April 19 telephone conference, Magistrate Judge Steven L. Tiscione of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York directed the defendant insurer to file any third-party complaint by May 10.

Meritplan Insurance Co. issued Pietro and Brigid Giambrone a standard-form homeowner's policy, which covered “destruction of, or …