On orders from New York's governor, insurers will not apply thehurricane deductible to insurance claims from Hurricane Sandy.

This morning, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo issued a statement that“homeowners will not have to pay potentially large hurricanedeductibles on insurance claims” from Monday's storm.

The New York State Department of Financial Services has informedinsurers, the statement says.

“Homeowners should not have to pay hurricane deductibles fordamage caused by the storm, and insurers should understand theDepartment of Financial Services will be monitoring how claims arehandled,” Cuomo says.

Pennsylvania Tells Insurers Hurricane Deductible Won'tApply

Hurricane deductibles can range from 1 percent to 5 percent on aHomeowners' policy. On a home insured for $300,000, the homeownerwould have to pay for the first $15,000 of damage if the deductiblewas enforced.

Benjamin M. Lawsky, superintendent of financial services, saysthe deductibles are not being triggered because “Sandy did not havesustained hurricane-force winds when it made landfall in New York.We will be working with insurers to help them respond as quickly aspossible to homeowners who need to file claims.”

He adds that the department will be sending its mobile commandcenter to hard-hit areas to help consumers.

The department set up a Disaster Hotline to answer questions at800-339-1759, Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday andSunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The department also set up a website for consumers to file a complaint forunresolved disputes with insurers.

Yesterday, the Connecticut Department of Insurance issued anotice that because winds did not reach hurricane status at thetime it hit the coast the hurricane deductible will not be imposedon the state's homeowners.

NBC News reports New Jersey's Department of Banking andInsurance Acting Commissioner Ken Kobylowski communicated the sameto the insurance industry on Tuesday night.