Insurer Urges Court to Dismiss Fraud, Punitive Damages Claims from Superstorm Sandy Lawsuit

NEWARK, N.J. — An insurer sued for refusing to cover Superstorm Sandy flood damage in New Jersey has filed a motion asking a federal judge to throw out punitive damages and other tort claims included in the lawsuit.

Selective Insurance Co. of America filed the motion in U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, seeking dismissal of Plaintiff Humphrey Uddoh’s state law-based, extra-contractual claims on the ground that they are preempted by federal law.

Uddoh filed a complaint in April, seeking more than $4 million in damages from Selective and adjusters hired to investigate the $80,000 flood claim …