New Jersey Car Importer Sues Over Denied Sandy Claims

A major automobile importer that suffered severe damage when Superstorm Sandy swept over New Jersey ports in October 2012 has accused its insurance company of refusing to pay "large portions" of its claims. A lawsuit filed by FAPS Inc., which had 4,000 cars destroyed when water surged over its facility in Port Newark, claims that The Travelers Indemnity Co. of Hartford, Conn., has "improperly denied" claims related to the storm. Company owner August LoBue said the claim is not about the loss of the cars, because the shipping contracts signed by the manufacturers make it clear that they are responsible for damage due to "acts of God," which is known as "force majeure."