Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerrySeptember 12, 2017

Tampa-based property insurance claim lawyer Chip Merlin was labeled “the master of disaster” in a Tampa Bay Times article last year based on his practice of representing insurance claims for natural disaster victims. With Hurricane Irma laying serious waste to all parts of the Sunshine State, FloridaPolitics.com contacted Merlin to ask him what property owners in Florida […]

Michael MolineSeptember 1, 2016

What’s the first thing you should do with Hurricane Hermine approaching? “Secure family, important documents, and possessions, then contact family members outside of the disaster area to let them know your current situation.” That was the word Thursday from Chip Merlin, founder of the Merlin Law Group in Tampa. Dubbed the “Master of Disaster” by […]

Jim RosicaApril 29, 2016

Insurance-related concerns reacted with cautious optimism to Friday’s naming of David Altmaier as Florida’s new Insurance Commissioner. “The Personal Insurance Federation of Florida is committed to working with the new commissioner to increase the health and stability of the property and casualty insurance market in Florida,’’ Executive Director Michael Carlson said in a statement. The […]

Jim RosicaApril 20, 2016

A top plaintiffs’ insurance lawyer is lauding Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty‘s offer to extend his departure, which was originally set for May 2. McCarty “staying on until a replacement is named is a massive blessing,” said Chip Merlin of the Merlin Law Group in Tampa. Merlin has built a business out of suing insurance companies that “deny, delay or underpay property […]

Jim RosicaMarch 29, 2016

With no clear winner between finalists Jeffrey Bragg and Bill Hager, Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet on Tuesday decided to keep taking applications for state Insurance Commissioner. Scott, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam agreed to extend the deadline to April 15. The next Cabinet meeting is […]

Tag: Chip Merlin

‘Master of disaster’ Chip Merlin on post-Irma property insurance claims

Hermine insurance tips from the ‘Master of Disaster’

Insurance interests “look forward” to new commissioner

Chip Merlin calls Kevin McCarty’s departure delay a ‘massive blessing’

Rick Scott, Cabinet make no decision on next Insurance Commissioner