As long as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is willing to review any Sandy-related flood insurance case for discrepancies, homeowners who filed should take them up on it. That's the advice given by shore Representative Tom MacArthur (R-3).

Rep. Tom MacArthur in his Ocean County District Office (Townsquare Media)
Rep. Tom MacArthur in his Ocean County District Office (Townsquare Media)
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"This is the time to reopen their claim," MacArthur said Friday at his Toms River district office. "If they have any inkling that they weren't treated fairly, they should press."

The freshman Republican is taking it a step further as well. He revealed that he's lobbying for a mandatory reopening of all cases, in support of claimants who might have been short-changed but either aren't aware, aren't sure, or aren't willing to speak up.

"FEMA is recognizing that there were major problems in this response, and this is the time for people to demand that their claims be reopened," he said.

Remarking on the federal lawsuit filed by a couple with a Toms River summer home against their insuror, MacArthur noted the possibility of a transformation into a class action suit, and gave it support - with one concern.

"The problem with class-action suits is, who gets the money," MacArthur said, recalling his observations from years of career experience in the insurance sector. "I don't want to see lawyers get money, and people not."

MacArthur addresses matters that concern you during our next "Ask The Congressman," April 6 on WOBM-AM 1160/1310. Two nights later, Paul Weberg of FEMA Region II takes your questions during a special full-hour "Townsquare Tonight." Both air at 7 PM.

 

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