This week’s Senate hearing on the insurance industry’s claims practices following natural disasters wasn’t just a made-for-TV moment. It was a five-alarm warning siren for policyholders and insurers across the country. With photos of collapsed breezeways, stories of children sleeping on floors after insurers not paying, and property insurance adjusters essentially confessing to being neutered …
Merlin Law Group, P.A.
Merlin Law Group is a national insurance claim litigation firm that handles commercial property insurance claims, residential property insurance claims and bad faith claims. Our dedicated team of insurance attorneys are committed to resolving your property insurance claims.
Website:
http://www.merlinlawgroup.com/
Merlin Law Group, P.A. Blogs
Latest from Merlin Law Group, P.A.
Illinois Appellate Court Holds That Causation is Part of the Appraisal Process
On May 12, 2025, the Illinois Appellate Court for the Second District of Illinois held, for the first time, that “[r]esolving some questions of causation will be necessarily included in the appraisal process” in affirming the trial court’s grant of Plaintiff’s motion for judgment on the pleadings to compel State Farm to appraisal. 1 This ……
Why Does Steve Badger Draw a Crowd?
By Chip Merlin
It’s not often that a podcast draws more attention than expected. But when Steve Badger is involved, you’d better expect the unexpected. Our upcoming conversation (6 PM EST tonight – register here: https://lnkd.in/eR5T6bsy) has generated far more signups than anticipated. And I’ve been asking myself why. What is it about Steve Badger that draws such a ……
A Critical Look at the California State Farm Rate Ruling: A Stabilizing Act or a Regulatory Surrender?
By Chip Merlin
A California Administrative Law Judge issued a decision approving a stipulation between State Farm General Insurance Company and the California Department of Insurance that allows significant interim rate increases for three of the company’s major lines of residential insurance. 1 These increases include a 17 percent hike for homeowners non-tenant HO-3 policies, 15 percent for ……
Understanding Leadership from Inside the Insurance Claims Machine: Reflections on Mike Fiato’s Vision
By Chip Merlin
The Senate Subcommittee on Disaster Management will hold a hearing this afternoon titled “Examining the Insurance Industry’s Claims Practices Following Recent Natural Disasters.” Among those testifying is Mike Fiato, Executive Vice President and Chief Claims Officer at Allstate. He is a person whose leadership and messaging offer a compelling look into how large insurers publicly ……
Separation or Divorce Can Result in Insurance Disaster
By Chip Merlin
Divorce attorneys, insurance agents, and property insurance adjusters need to appreciate that separation and divorce may have an impact on the right to recover insurance proceeds. A recent federal court decision discusses how marital separation can silently void vital insurance protections. 1 The factual scenario may seem unusual on the surface, but the legal logic applied reveals ……
Moms Matter
By Chip Merlin
Today is Mother’s Day — a moment set aside each year to recognize the women who raised us, shaped us, and, in many cases, continue to keep us humble. I’ve written about my mother, Alice Merlin, before in this post: Jewelry Insurance and The Missing Wedding Band—Avoiding the Mysterious Disappearance Exclusion. As I’ve grown older ……
Prove the Loss Happened During the Policy Period
By Chip Merlin
A recent federal court ruling out of Georgia highlights a basic principle that policyholders and public adjusters must never overlook. The property insurance only covers losses that occur during the policy period. Except in a few states, under rare circumstances, the date of discovery is not deemed the date of loss. In Jaraysi v. The ……
California Wildfires, Toxic Residue, and the Legal Duty Insurers Can’t Ignore
By Chip Merlin
I was in attendance at a conference in Denver yesterday when an expert toxicologist suggested that there is evidence of many insurance company wildfire testing companies looking for smoke and toxic residue in all the wrong places. It reminded me of a conference I was at last week in California, where a claims expert warned ……
Why You Must Bring More Than Invoices: What Public Adjusters and Policyholders Must Learn About Proof of Damages
By Chip Merlin
In a recent decision that should raise red flags for public adjusters and policyholders, a federal judge granted summary judgment in favor of Indian Harbor Insurance Company. 1 The ruling is a lesson that when it comes to insurance claims and litigation, it is not enough to argue about fairness or merely present repair invoices. ……