Vermost Insurance Agency - December 2021

Vermost Insurance Agency - December 2021

Protection Team News FINDING WAYS TO WIN ANYHOW

VOL 13, ISSUE 11

We are in the home stretch finally! No, I’m not talking about COVID-19; I’m talking about 2021. Can you believe that we are so close to turning that last page on the calendar and starting a whole new year? It is just mind-boggling to me. I know 2021 did not turn out how anyone expected at the start of the year, but we all had to deal with it. Most of us found a way to survive everything. I’m ready to not only turn the page but also burn the pages for 2020 and 2021, so we can start 2022 with a new and improved outlook. Yes, some good things did happen. But if you were to add it all up, for most people, I think there was more bad than good over those two years. One of the bright spots for 2021 was that most of the storms avoided us. The hurricane season started off early and was very active, but we were never directly hit. Our friends in Louisiana wish they had our year, but that was not meant to be. I previously stated that I expect next year to be another busy year for insurance companies either shutting down or leaving the State of Florida. Well, I hate to say it, but the first one has already announced their intent to leave Florida in 2022. Just wait; I think we are about to see a repeat of 2007–2008, and Citizens is about to explode with tons of policies again. I hope that our legislature will finally face the cold hard facts and make the tough decisions that are needed in order to once and for all fix this issue and not continue to Band-Aid it. Fingers crossed that next year’s session will be a success. Speaking of success, I hope that all of you are successful in finding the gifts you are seeking and are able to get them to their destination before Dec. 25. The media has been

Finding Ways to Win Anyhow Page 1 Lowering Holiday Stress Page 2 Why Choose Business Insurance? Page 2 Did You Know ... Page 2 Worried About Your Gut Health While Traveling? Page 3 Check Out Our Referral Program! Page 4 Wacky December Holidays Page 5

Ainsley with Lord Stanley at USF!

broadcasting the shortages and the hundreds of ships anchored off the West Coast waiting to be off-loaded. They are making everyone panic and buy early. Many people in our office are finished, or almost finished, shopping just to make sure they get everything they want. If it’s not toilet paper, it’s toys! Who would have guessed that this is what we would be dealing with in 2021? How about those Buccaneers? The injury bug has hit them hard this year unlike last year, but they have been finding ways to win anyhow. Hopefully, they can keep winning and make another run at the Super Bowl. I wish all of you a very merry Christmas, happy Chanukah, and a happy new year. Until next year, –Darren

Word Search Page 5

Celtic Yule Cupcakes Page 5 November Referrals and Puzzle Winner! Page 6

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Toll free (800) 828-2226 Fax (727) 577-4991

www.vermost.com [email protected]

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WHY CHOOSE BUSINESS INSURANCE?

HAVE A LOW- STRESS HOLIDAY 3 Tips for a Merrier Time The holidays are right around the corner, and while many people can’t wait to eat turkey and swap presents, others only see stress on the horizon. Especially for those hosting parties, between decorations, big dinners, excited kids, and visiting family, it can all feel overwhelming. If celebrations are happening at your house this year, here are three tips to lessen the strain and keep up the holiday cheer. Recharge First Ensure you’re rested and recharged before the holidays by taking time to relax, getting enough sleep, and engaging in activities that make you feel good. When you’re rushing to get everything done, it can be tempting to skip self-care routines, but that will cost you in the long run. Your daily exercise and other health activities keep you balanced and ready to face challenges head-on. Get Started Early Holidays always arrive faster than we expect, so begin preparing early. If shopping for presents is a pain point, don’t wait until the last minute. Decorate earlier than you need to — or better yet, get the kids to do it for you. There’s only so much cooking you can do ahead of time, but ensuring you have all of the equipment and nonperishable ingredients you need a few weeks in advance will reduce both your workload and anxiety. Don’t Expect Perfection The sooner you let go of the idea of a “perfect” holiday, the sooner you’ll be able to have a happy one. Face it: Something will go wrong. Whether it’s an overcooked dish, a child throwing a temper tantrum, or your uncle talking politics at the dinner table, nothing will ever go just how you planned. So, embrace the imperfections. Whether you’re celebrating this year with a group of two or 20, holidays can be a stressful time — but they don’t have to be. With these tips, your festivities may not be picture-perfect, but they will be a lot of fun.

Business insurance is all about protecting your investment. Running a business includes risks, some of which you can anticipate, and others that are unexpected. Depending on your type of business, you may need various types of business insurance. Most start out with general liability, business income, commercial property, workers’ compensation, commercial auto, and professional liability coverages. Business insurance is there to help business owners navigate the unexpected. Without business insurance, you may find yourself liable for covering the cost of legal fees, replacements, repairs, and medical costs when certain situations arise. Depending on the type of industry, you may be required to have proof of insurance before you can get started on a job or project. Not to mention, when you are able to provide your clients with proof of insurance, your business’s credibility is increased, and clients will have peace of mind that they made the right choice in hiring you. In the event that a client or customer gets injured in your place of business, without the proper business insurance and

Vermost Insurance NOW has a relationship with Chuck Chucri, who offers Financial

Planning & Investment Advisory Services

Did You Know ...

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1200 Belcher Rd. S., Suite 1

Largo, FL 33771-3315

Phone: (727) 748-2886

coverages, you may be liable. Also, if the service you provided to a customer was flawed and they incurred financial losses or damages, you may find yourself involved in a lawsuit. General liability and professional liability coverages can assist in protecting you and your business from these types of incidents. The most important asset in your business is your employees. Workers’ compensation helps to cover their medical care if they happen to get injured while working. It can even assist in replacing some of their lost wages if they wind up missing work due to the injury. The bottom line is that each business requires the protection of insurance. To best determine what type is right for your business, we can help! Our goal is to give you peace of mind in knowing that your business is safe.

Why Does Your Stomach Hurt While Traveling?

Quick Gut Health Tips for Travelers

Picture this: You’re flying for a holiday reunion with your family. By the time you leave the airport after arriving at your destination, your stomach is already doing flips, and you haven’t even dug into your favorite family dishes yet. If this situation sounds familiar, here’s how you can keep your gut healthy, no matter where you are this winter. Traveling is stressful — even for your gut. Dr. Shilpa Ravella, a gastroenterologist at NewYork- Presbyterian and Columbia University Medical Center, told Healthline, “Travel can be a hectic time … You may be eating out more and eating new foods in new locations, including more processed foods, and it’s easy to overeat in this setting, placing more stress on your digestive system than at home.” The best solution is to take things slow to avoid overeating. Not only does overeating stretch your stomach, but also “research has found that people who overeat are 10 times more likely to need emergency medical attention for food obstruction,” Dr. Ravella says. Also, even if you wake up at 4 a.m. for your first flight, don’t gulp down coffee all morning. Overconsumption of beverages with lots of sugar, caffeine, or alcohol can irritate your gastrointestinal system, especially if you already have a sensitive stomach. Instead, drink plenty of water, which can also help alleviate the risk of constipation. If that’s your main concern, keep in mind that Dr. Ravella says a lack of fiber is the main reason for constipation while traveling. An easy way to avoid this is to eat whole-plant foods, even at restaurants. Follow these tips when you need help fast. Dr. Ravella says that over-the-counter medications, such as antacids, can help your heartburn. If you struggle with mild traveler’s diarrhea, try to keep bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) and loperamide (Imodium) in your carry- on, ready at all times. If your symptoms worsen into fever, bloody diarrhea, bloody vomiting, or severe abdominal pain, see a health care provider right away. Lastly, if you really want to be comfortable while traveling, it might be worth trying a magnesium (magnesium bisglycinate chelate) supplement, which has been shown to improve jet lag and promote relaxation and sleep while traveling. Best of luck!

CALL FOR DETAILS OR TO MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY (727) 748-2886 Chuck Chucri, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, FLMI Financial Planner The Prudential Insurance Company of America Prudential.com/advisor/chuck-chucri Our financial advisors offer investment advice, and some may offer financial planning. Our financial advisors and financial planners offer financial planning and/or investment advice through Pruco Securities, LLC (Pruco), under the marketing name Prudential Financial Planning Services (PFPS). A financial advisor or financial planner offers securities, products, and services as a registered representative of Pruco and offers insurance products as an agent of issuing insurance companies. 1-800-778-2255 Vermost Insurance is an independent organization and is not an affiliate of Prudential Financial.

1007626-00005-00

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Toll free (800) 828-2226

Fax (727) 577-4991

www.vermost.com

[email protected]

2021

INSPIRING HAPPINESS!

2020 REFERRAL WINNER!

We want to thank everyone who referred their friends, family, and coworkers to Vermost Insurance throughout 2020. When you refer someone to us, you receive rewards for each referral and are entered into monthly and annual drawings for additional, even bigger prizes. Your referrals mean a lot to us, and we want to reward you for helping us grow our Vermost Insurance family. The annual grand prize winners of our 2020 referral program are Diane and Joseph Goulah. They received a 55-inch 4K TV plus a $250 donation to the Alzheimer’s Association, their charity of choice. If you want a shot at next year’s prize, keep sending referrals our way. Your referrals make us happy, and we hope our referral program makes you happy, too!

Diane and Joseph Goulah are our 2020 referral winners of the 55-inch 4K TV, plus a $250 donation to the Alzheimer’s Association, their charity of choice.

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1200 Belcher Rd. S., Suite 1 Phone: (727) 748-2886 1200 Belcher Rd. S. Suite 1 ● Largo, FL 33771-3315 ● Phone: (727) 748-2886 Largo, FL 33771-3315

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Wacky December Holidays

• Dec. 1: National Eat a Red Apple Day

• Dec. 10: Dewey Decimal System Day • Dec. 12: Gingerbread House Day • Dec. 13: National Cocoa Day • Dec. 15: National Wear Your Pearls Day • Dec. 17: National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day

• Dec. 18: National Wreaths Across America Day • Dec. 21: Crossword Puzzle Day • Dec. 23: National Re-gifting Day • Dec. 24: National Eggnog Day • Dec. 26: National Candy Cane Day • Dec. 28: National Card Playing Day • Dec. 31: No Interruptions Day

• Dec. 3: National Faux Fur Day • Dec. 4: National Cookie Day • Dec. 5: National Bathtub Party Day • Dec. 7: National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day • Dec. 8: Brownie Day

WORD SEARCH

CELTIC YULE CUPCAKES

Inspired by RecipesForAPaganSoul.weebly.com

• 2 eggs • 1/2 cup butter Ingredients

• 3/4 tsp baking powder • 1 tbsp milk • 1 1/3 cups raisins • 2 tbsp hot water • 2 cups powdered sugar

• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract • Orange zest, to taste • 2/3 cup sugar • 1 1/4 cups flour

Directions 1. Preheat the oven to 375° F. 2. In a large bowl, beat together the eggs, butter, vanilla, orange zest, and sugar. 3. Add the flour and baking powder, then fold in the milk and raisins. 4. Grease a cupcake tin before pouring the batter into it. 5. Bake for 20–25 minutes or until cooked through. Let cool. 6. In a small bowl, blend the hot water and powdered sugar to create the icing. 7. Ice your cupcakes and serve!

Candles Celebration Jingle Jolly Mistletoe Ornament

Present Santa Sleigh Stocking Wassail Wreath

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Toll free (800) 828-2226

Fax (727) 577-4991

www.vermost.com

[email protected]

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

1200 Belcher Road South, Suite 1 Largo, FL 33771 www.vermost.com (727) 748-2886

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

You Make Us Happy

We Insure More Than Just Cars and Homes. Here's a list of some of our lines of protection:

Thank you for recently referring your friends, family, and coworkers to our agency. With your help, our Vermost Insurance family keeps growing! We hope our referral programmakes you happy, too! People who referred clients to us in November:

› Antique vehicles › Annuities › Auto›› › Boat/RV › Bonds › Builders' risk › Commercial auto › Commercial property › Condo › Dental › Disability › Employee benefits

› Flood › General liability › Health › Home › ID theft › Life › Mobile home › Motorcycle/Jet Ski › Notary public

Brooks Gentry MindyMeader Judith Turner Dawn Evans Lisa Fecera Jeffrey Rogers

Linda Chambliss Daniel Morgenstern Martha Evans Gulf Coast Framing

November Puzzle Winner: Jeff Silverstein November Referral Winner: Alena Shclarr

› Umbrella › Workers'

Compensation

... and more!

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1200 Belcher Rd. S., Suite 1 Largo, FL 33771-3315

Phone: (727) 748-2886