Sandy auto toll: 230,000 vehicles in 15 states

An insurance industry group says at least 230,000 cars in 15 states and the District of Columbia were damaged by superstorm Sandy, some beyond repair.

The estimate from the National Insurance Crime Bureau of Des Plaines, Ill., based on claims made to insurance carriers, approaches the 250,000 car estimate from the National Automobile Dealers Association and is expected to grow.

“Not surprisingly, New York had the most vehicles affected by the storm, with 130,000, while New Jersey generated 60,000 claims,” said the bureau, a not-for-profit organization that fights insurance fraud and vehicle theft.

The bureau had no breakdown by extent of damage to the vehicles. “They could have sustained minor paint scratches from flying debris, or have been under water for days and rendered total losses,” it said.

Photo: The Riverhead Town Board leased out 53 acres of town land in Calverton to store cars damaged  during superstorm Sandy. (Nov. 20, 2012)