Merlin Law Group

06/18/2026

We made it to the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (NAPIA) annual meeting in Texas!

The expo hall is officially open and the Merlin Law Group team is excited to connect with public adjusters from across the country. Whether you're dealing with hurricane damage, fire losses, or other complex property claims—we handle them all, nationwide.

Be sure to catch Chip Merlin on stage tomorrow morning from 9:15 to 10:15 A.M. for his presentation:
"Mastery – The Key to Quality Work, Happy Clients, and a Lasting Public Adjusting Business"

When you have a moment today, come say hi to our team at the Merlin Law Group booth 👋

06/17/2026

A California appellate court recently enforced a New York forum-selection clause in a policy covering California property. The decision highlights a growing issue in surplus lines insurance: policyholders may discover after a loss that they must litigate far from home.

Where a dispute must be heard can significantly impact costs, remedies, and leverage. See why policyholders, brokers, and regulators should pay closer attention to these courthouse clauses.

A California case highlights how forum-selection clauses can dramatically change a policyholder's rights after a loss.

06/17/2026

Americans may be overpaying for insurance by $150 billion every year.

Insurers now pay out 18¢ less per premium dollar than they did in the ’90s (Source: Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator).

Where is that money going?

✈️ Executive perks
📈 Stock buybacks
📺 Advertising budgets
💰 Corporate profits

Meanwhile:
🏠 28% increase in home insurance premiums since 2017
📈 6%+ mortgage rates
🛒 Grocery, gas, and housing costs continue rising

Insurance has become part of America’s affordability crisis. Coverage is supposed to protect people in times of need, not maximize insurer profits while families struggle to afford it.

06/16/2026

If AI is used to make underwriting decisions, shouldn’t policyholders be allowed to see and challenge the information?

Insurers can now use aerial imagery, permit records, predictive models and other data sources to evaluate risk before a human underwriter reviews.

In a recent Digital Insurance article, Chip Merlin discusses why transparency matters as these tools become more common. If AI-assisted underwriting affects premiums, coverage, renewals or eligibility, policyholders should be able to understand and correct the information behind those decisions.

Read more from Chip: https://hubs.ly/Q04lD6Fr0

06/16/2026

Attorney Dan Ballard recently spoke at the Professional Public Adjusters Association of New Jersey Spring Conference, connecting with public adjusters and other professionals serving policyholders with complex insurance claims.

Thank you to everyone who attended and participated in the conversation. It's always great to get some face-to-face time with colleagues who deeply understand the industry.

If you're interested in getting more involved, PPAANJ provides educational opportunities, industry updates, advocacy efforts, and valuable connections for public adjusters throughout New Jersey. Learn more about membership: https://hubs.ly/Q04lv9Rb0

06/15/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for last week's Merlin Mingle in Cleveland!

It was great to spend the evening with friends and colleagues from across the property insurance industry.

We're grateful for the relationships we've built with Ohio claims professionals and always appreciate the opportunity to connect with others who are committed to helping policyholders.

We look forward to seeing everyone again soon.

06/15/2026

Only in California can wildfire, PG&E shutoffs, coastal roads, seawater pumps, and dead abalone come together in one insurance coverage lesson.

This case shows why efficient proximate cause matters when insurers try to re-label a wildfire loss as something excluded. Read more on the blog.

A California wildfire case shows why efficient proximate cause matters when insurers try to re-label fire-driven damage as excluded power loss. Read more.

06/12/2026

When critical details are missed during an inspection, the consequences can follow a claim from start to finish.

As insurers face staffing shortages and increasingly rely on technology and centralized claims handling, important details are overlooked or not fully communicated. As a result, policyholders may face delays, inconsistent evaluations and unnecessary disputes.

In a recent Claims Journal article, Etienne Font and Javier Delgado examine why the industry's growing "inspection gap" creates challenges for both insurers and policyholders.

What do you think? Can technology replace the experience and judgment that comes from a thorough on-site inspection?

Read more: https://hubs.ly/Q04lg6Dn0.

06/12/2026

Did you know AI and drones might be influencing your homeowners' insurance? 🤖

A recent U.S. News and World Report article explored how AI, satellite imagery and remote assessments are changing the insurance landscape. The article included insights from our founder, Chip Merlin, on what homeowners should know as these tools become more common.

Key takeaways for homeowners:
- AI models can assess your property and generate coverage and pricing recommendations in minutes.
- Many insurers rely on third-party tech vendors to avoid regulatory scrutiny.
- Homeowners who believe a coverage decision was made in error have the right to file a complaint with their state insurance department.

If you have questions about how these technologies may impact your coverage, reach out to our team. Merlin Law Group is here to help.

Check out the U.S. News article to learn more: https://hubs.ly/Q04l7SFS0.

06/09/2026

Social engineering fraud continues to be one of the fastest-growing risks facing businesses.

In a recent case, Blue Compass RV lost more than one million dollars after a fraudster impersonated a contractor and redirected a payment. Although the company carried insurance, the court limited recovery to a $100,000 deception fraud sublimit.

The decision serves as a reminder that cyber coverage, crime coverage, funds transfer fraud coverage, and social engineering fraud coverage are not interchangeable. Businesses, risk managers, brokers, and advisors should carefully review policy language, limits, exclusions, and verification requirements before a claim occurs.

Chip Merlin examines the decision and explains why modern fraud risks require both strong internal controls and carefully structured insurance programs.

A recent court decision shows how businesses can lose millions when cyber fraud coverage does not match today's risk.