Merlin Law Group

09/03/2026

The flames are gone. The house is still standing.

But is it safe to move back in?

That question has caused enormous disputes after California wildfires because there has not been a uniform standard for determining what should be tested, how contamination should be measured or when remediation is actually complete.

That may be changing.

California lawmakers have passed AB 1795 and AB 1642, two bills that could establish a first-in-the-nation framework for wildfire smoke claims and the science used to determine whether a home is safe.

They are not law yet, and there are still questions worth asking.

Chip explains what the legislation could change and one provision he believes deserves close attention.

Read the article and please share it with anyone dealing with wildfire smoke damage:

California lawmakers passed AB 1795 and AB 1642, which could create first-in-the-nation standards for wildfire smoke testing, remediation...

09/02/2026

How are the prices used to settle property insurance claims actually being determined?

That is the question behind Chip Merlin’s latest investigation.
Chip recently obtained a nine-page document that appears to be an internal claims SOP for the TrueLine Material Pricing Program.

The document has not been independently authenticated, but if accurate, it offers a revealing look at how the program may calculate material pricing and how adjusters are instructed to use it.

One provision is particularly worth examining: the document describes a pricing structure that begins with Xactimate and applies a discount.

But that is only part of the story.

Read Chip’s full analysis to see what the document says, what it does not establish, and the questions insurers, adjusters, contractors, and policyholders should be asking.

Read and share the article:

An apparent internal claims manual shows TrueLine pricing is designed to fall below Xactimate. Chip Merlin examines what that may mean...

09/01/2026

An Examination Under Oath can look a lot like a deposition.

That does not make it one.

The difference matters because an EUO comes from the insurance contract and applicable state law. Policyholders have a duty to cooperate with legitimate investigations, but insurers do not have an unlimited right to demand anything they find interesting. And mistakes in handling the EUO can have very real consequences for coverage.

Today I discuss five points that stood out to me from Ed Eshoo’s extensive examination of EUO law and practice.

One of the biggest questions is whether some EUO disputes are really about discovering the truth, or whether strategy and poor legal advice are creating unnecessary coverage fights.

Read the article here: An Examination Under Oath Is Not Just Another Deposition https://bit.ly/4guhYIx

If you know somebody dealing with an EUO, please share this with them.

An EUO is not a deposition. Chip Merlin explains five issues every policyholder and attorney should know. Here's what he learned from Ed Eshoo

08/31/2026

Artificial intelligence can help identify overlooked coverage, compare estimate line items, and organize thousands of claim documents.

It can also turn a straightforward disagreement into pages of arguments, questions, demands, and legal theories in seconds.

The person sending that email may spend five minutes creating it. The adjuster receiving it may spend hours determining whether one legitimate issue is buried inside.

Chip Merlin calls this emerging problem “claimslop.”

AI should help people think more clearly and communicate more precisely. It should not become an infinite correspondence machine that slows down the claim for everyone involved.

Read Chip’s latest post: https://hubs.ly/Q04w15Nw0 and share it with anyone using AI in the insurance claims process.

AI can sharpen insurance claim arguments or bury adjusters in noise. Chip Merlin examines “claimslop” and why human judgment still matters.

08/28/2026

Yesterday, Chip Merlin examined an internal State Farm document citing an Accenture “industry best” benchmark suggesting only 5%–10% of certain wind and hail claims should result in full roof replacement.

His question was simple: What did State Farm do with that number?
Today’s follow-up starts answering it.

The internal documents discuss management review of roof-replacement recommendations, significant changes in replacement results, and about a $1.4 billion decrease in indemnity.

Chip is writing about all of this while competing aboard Chip’s Ahoy! at the J/111 North American Championship in Youngstown, New York.

The sailing can wait a few minutes. These documents are worth reading.

Read the new post—and share it with anyone involved in roof claims:

Internal State Farm documents raise questions about roof claim handling and a reported $1.4 billion indemnity drop.

08/28/2026

Why are insurance renewals more expensive than last year?

A new Vanderbilt study found that Americans are paying $150 billion more than the market rate for home insurance every year. In 2024, insurers paid back 61.8% of claims and spent $135 billion on ads and commissions to win customers in the market.

What steps can homeowners take to avoid price gouging? Chip Merlin suggests working with an independent agent who sells policies from multiple companies, rather than relying on a single insurer trying to sell low-quality insurance quickly.

Read more about Chip’s recommendation for managing insurance costs in BestMoney: https://hubs.ly/Q04vCTPX0

08/27/2026

An internal State Farm document reportedly cited an Accenture benchmark suggesting that the insurance industry’s “best” full roof replacement frequency for certain wind and hail claims was only 5% to 10%.

But a lower replacement rate does not prove more accurate claim handling. It proves only that fewer roofs were replaced.

The more important questions are how this benchmark was developed and whether State Farm used it to influence adjuster authority, management reviews, training, and individual claim decisions.

Read Chip Merlin’s analysis of why this alleged “quality improvement opportunity” deserves immediate scrutiny.

An internal State Farm document cited Accenture's low roof replacement benchmark as a quality opportunity. Was it about accuracy?

08/26/2026

Can a flood claim lawsuit be untimely because of a denial letter nobody remembers receiving?

A condominium association suffered approximately $11.4 million in Hurricane Ian flood damage. After Hartford paid about $9.4 million, roughly $2 million remained disputed. Hartford now argues that earlier partial-denial letters triggered the NFIP’s one-year lawsuit deadline.

Read Chip Merlin’s latest post to learn how better documentation and communication procedures can protect an otherwise valid flood claim.

The Seascape case shows how an NFIP partial payment and a missing denial letter can trigger the one-year lawsuit deadline for a flood claim.

08/25/2026

Did you know extreme heat can take a toll on your property?

Heat waves can do more than drive up your energy bill. Prolonged periods of extreme heat can also contribute to property damage, such as:
☀️ Roof deterioration and accelerated aging.
🌡️ Increased strain on HVAC systems.
🏠 Foundation movement as soil expands and contracts.
🪟 Warping, cracking or deterioration of exterior materials.

Heat-related property damage isn't always as clear-cut as damage caused by a storm, and not every type is covered by insurance.

Have questions about property damage or your insurance coverage? Reach out to Merlin Law Group to speak with an expert.

08/21/2026

Hurricane season is here. Is your insurance coverage ready?

Many homeowners don't discover gaps in their insurance policy until after a storm causes damage, and by then, it's often too late to make changes.

That's why Chip Merlin joined FOX 13 News - Tampa Bay to discuss the steps Florida homeowners should take now to better protect themselves.

Chip’s takeaways:
✔️ More insurance companies in the market don’t always mean better protection.
✔️ Your policy should cover the cost to rebuild your home, not just its market value.
✔️ Flood insurance isn't only valuable for homes in high-risk flood zones.
✔️ Once a hurricane is approaching, it may be too late to buy or update coverage.

👉 Watch the segment: https://hubs.ly/Q04tDMQF0.