Policyholders’ Claims Against Insurer Time-Barred, N.J. Federal Judge Rules in Superstorm Sandy Case

CAMDEN, N.J. — Breach of contract and bad faith claims asserted by a policyholder seeking coverage for Superstorm Sandy-related damages are untimely because they were not asserted within the one-year period set forth in the homeowner’s policy, a New Jersey federal judge has ruled.

On April 29, Judge Robert B. Kugler of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey found the statute of limitations was not tolled because the defendant insurer did not actively mislead the policyholder and she was not deprived of her right to appraisal.

Deborah Biegalski’s southern New Jersey sustained damage when Superstorm Sandy …