Senator Charles Schumer is warning insurance companies not to try to swindle Sandy victims.

In a letter to three insurance associations, Schumer criticized companies for trying to have the superstorm classified as a hurricane.

The National Weather Service classified Sandy as a "post tropical cyclone."

Schumer said reclassification would increase homeowner deductibles by tens of thousands of dollars.

He is asking the associations to encourage their members "not to nickel and dime New Yorkers."

The senator said instead of wasting time and resources challenging government officials, insurance companies should work on processing claims as quickly as possible.

Governor Andrew Cuomo has already said Sandy would not be classified as a hurricane for insurance deductibles.