New Jersey's top insurance regulator says he is satisfied withthe industry's response to Sandy "at this point," noting that thedepartment has received no more than four written complaints fromconsumers so far.

In an interview yesterday, Acting Commissioner Kenneth E.Kobylowski, of the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance,compared the number of complaints to Tropical Storm Lee last year,where the department received a total of 27 valid complaints. Allwere resolved after discussions with company officials and theinsured. None of the complaints resulted in administrativeaction.

"I fully expect the insurance industry to work just as well thistime around and there is no reason for the industry to actotherwise," he says.

But he did note that consumer call volume to the department ingeneral has been lighter than he expected, and he said the paceshould pick up once homeowners get back to their houses and beginthe claims process.

Kobylowski says as of Monday the department received 312 callsfrom policyholders since Sandy struck.

"Compared to Hurricane Irene and Lee, I would term that aslighter than we would have expected," he says.

The week before Sandy struck New Jersey, Kobylowski says thedepartment contacted both carriers and banks to make sure they hadtheir catastrophe plans in place. He says all were aware of thepending storm and activated their catastrophe plans to deal withthe storm and its aftermath.

"It's a credit to them," says Kobylowski, that they wereoperational after the storm.

New Jersey's coastal towns were devastated by Sandy. Yesterday,residents of Seaside Heights were allowed full access to theirhomes for the first time since the storm struck.

Kobylowski says the department has taken action in several waysto make it easier for consumers to reach out for help.

It issued a press release on tips for consumers during therecovery process. The department has extended consumer call-centerhours to include Saturdays, and operated the center on Election Dayand Veterans Day. The National Association of InsuranceCommissioners is helping out through its Kansas City, Mo.,headquarters, providing a backup call system if needed.

Kobylowski says NAIC representatives are equipped with the sameinformation as the New Jersey department to answer consumerquestions.

"Regardless of who they speak to, consumers will get correct andconsistent information," he says.

At the request of FEMA, the department has set-up offices at 10recovery centers throughout the state to be on hand to answerconsumer's questions and field complaints.

He says most of the questions the department has field concernsthe existence of coverage on certain events, primarily wind vs.water.