Mike Merlo – Aon’s chief claims officer for Commercial Risk Solutions in the United States and Bermuda
Mike Merlo is the Chief Claims Officer for the United States and Bermuda at Aon, operating out of Chicago. With over two decades at Aon, his career reflects deep expertise in both legal and claims functions across global insurance markets, particularly in high-stakes reinsurance and commercial risk.
He began his journey with Aon in 2004 as Executive Vice President and Chief Counsel at Aon Bermuda Ltd., where he developed a strong foundation in legal risk, claims strategy, and regulatory navigation in offshore markets. Over the years, he held several senior leadership roles within Aon, including Managing Director of the Legal and Claims Practice for Aon Broking and Special Counsel at Aon Corporation.
Since March 2022, Merlo has led Aon’s claims operations for the U.S. and Bermuda markets, where he oversees complex claims handling, litigation oversight, and strategic advisory for large clients. His role bridges legal insight and operational excellence, helping Aon’s clients navigate increasing claims volatility, litigation risk, and catastrophic losses.
Merlo holds a JD from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law and a Bachelor of Science in Advertising from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He’s also a member of professional groups such as “Reinsurance Insurance Professionals Worldwide” and maintains a wide professional network with over 2,200 followers and 500+ connections on LinkedIn.
Although publicly reserved—his LinkedIn presence is limited to congratulatory comments—Merlo is widely regarded in the industry for his strategic clarity and ability to handle complex claims environments across both U.S. and international markets.
