Vermost Insurance Agency - January 2022

Vermost Insurance Agency - January 2022

Protection Team News YEAR FILLED WITH GOOD AND BAD NEWS

VOL 13, ISSUE 12

Well, we did it! 2021 is now in the rearview mirror, and 2022 has officially arrived. Hopefully, each of you received all the gifts you wanted. And you were able to stay healthy, and avoid the flu and omicron variant. My family did, and we are about to embark on a new adventure in 2022. “What adventure?” you’re asking. Well, if you look at this month’s photo, you will see one of the photos from Noelle’s graduation in December. Please bear with me for just a quick minute while I do a little dad bragging. Noelle graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University with a Bachelor of Science degree in forensic science through the chemistry department, with a minor in anthropology. She completed all of her studies in 3½ years. Next up for her will be graduate school, starting in January 2022. She was accepted to the University of Florida College of Pharmacy, where she will major in forensic drug chemistry. Go Gators! Yes, Melanie and I are so proud of her and all that she was able to accomplish in such a short time. With the new year, we are already starting to see the rate increases in insurance begin. They’re not only based on losses, but also the cost to rebuild homes is skyrocketing due to the cost of building materials as well as the cost to repair and replace vehicles. We are getting hit every way that could be possible. Looking at my crystal ball, I certainly don’t see any relief in the near future, unfortunately. The only saving grace for us was that we didn’t take a direct hit from any hurricanes this past season. Do you think we can do it again next year? I sure hope so. Just a quick reminder that if you received any jewelry, collectibles, or something shiny under

Year Filled With Good and Bad News Page 1 The Original ‘Celebrity’ Athletes Page 2 Mortgage Protection Insurance 101 Page 2 Did You Know ... Page 2 Why Do Your Ears Pop on Flights? Page 3 Check Out Our Referral Program! Page 4 Wacky January Holidays Page 5

the tree in December, please make sure you let us know so that we can make sure you are properly protected in case something bad happens to that item. We do NOT want someone to buy a gift twice for any reason. Let’s talk about some good news like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They are finding ways to win given all their injuries. Hopefully, the players will heal in time for the playoff run again this season. How would you like to have been that fan who was gifted the record-setting football from Mike Evans by mistake? Did he not get the better end of the deal or what? Congrats to Tom, Mike, Gronk, and the team for doing the right thing, and kudos to the fan for giving the ball back. Let’s hope there are many more records set during the rest of this season. Until next month! –Darren

Word Search Page 5

Deep-Fried New Year’s ‘Cookies’ Page 5 December 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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MORTGAGE PROTECTION INSURANCE 101

GLADIATORS: THE ORIGINAL CELEBRITY ATHLETES?

January is a big month for sports. The College

expensive to train and not easily replaced. Promotions for gladiator fights were very similar to what you see when traveling to a professional sports stadium today. Instead of paper posters to promote athletes or upcoming games, the ancient Romans painted their posters directly on walls. These painted posters often gave dates and times for upcoming matches and included gladiators’ names and sometimes even their records. For a better understanding of gladiators and the popularity of their matches, take a look at the Colosseum in Rome. This massive amphitheater was built almost 2,000 years ago and could seat up to 75,000 people. For comparison, the biggest stadiums in America hold a little over 100,000 people. Back then, there were no Jumbotrons or screens to see from far away. Tens of thousands of people would go to watch gladiator fights with nothing but their own two eyes. While they might not have had the luxuries or money our current athletes have, gladiators still had quite a bit of fame. If

Football Playoff takes place, the NFL playoffs begin, and the NBA and NHL seasons are fully underway. Stars from each of these leagues have cultivated a global might seem like something that could only happen in the present day thanks to international media and the Internet, historically, many gladiators reached untold levels of fame thousands of years ago. For the most part, gladiators were not born into wealth and never saw much money during their careers. In most cases, they were originally slaves who became so indebted that they had nothing left to sell but their bodies. For a variety of reasons, slaves were chosen and sent to gladiatorial schools, where they trained to become the fan base and become celebrities. While this best at their craft. When we think of gladiators, we often picture giant arenas and lots of death, but that was rarely the case. It’s estimated that anywhere

For many, your mortgage is your greatest source of debt. Take a second and imagine this: You are involved in a very serious car accident that causes you to have either traumatic injuries or to even lose your life. But what happens to your home in this scenario? Mortgage protection insurance (MPI) helps your family pay your mortgage in certain situations, such as if you pass away before your mortgage is paid off. Some mortgage protection insurance policies even offer coverage for a certain time period if you become disabled or lose your job following an accident. Mortgage protection insurance policies operate in a way similar to traditional life insurance policies. Each month, the insurer collects a monthly premium to keep your coverage current and to make sure you are protected. If you pass away during the term of the policy, the provider will pay out a death benefit in the amount of the mortgage outlined within the terms of the policy. Some of the policies will cover the remaining term of the mortgage, but others may not.

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

from 1 in 5 to 1 in 8 matches ended with

Planning & Investment Advisory Services

a combatant’s death. While the gladiators themselves did not have much money, they were very

Did You Know ...

anything, gladiators prove that athletes are, and always have been, incredibly influential in society.

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1200 Belcher Rd. S., Suite 1

Largo, FL 33771-3315

Phone: (727) 748-2886

Mortgage protection insurance isn’t required by your mortgage company, so no matter which type of loan you have, you can purchase a house without getting mortgage protection insurance. The best part is that even if you’re in poor health or work a risky job, you can qualify for mortgage protection insurance without a medical examination. If you’re worried about burdening your family and/or loved ones with your mortgage payment in the event that something happens to you, a mortgage protection insurance policy may help. Call us today and we can help you to secure the best plan for your needs!

The Science Behind Your Ears Popping on Flights Airplane Ears When it comes to flying on an airplane, you can avoid cramped legs by upgrading to first class or catch a view by picking the window seat. However, there’s no getting around your ears popping during takeoff and landing. Believe it or not, there is a scientific explanation behind this common annoyance. As you read this, you’re likely not on an airplane, and the air pressure on either side of your eardrums is equal. Air is currently passing right through your eustachian tube, a narrow passage that leads from your middle ear cavity to your pharynx and allows for pressure to be equalized on each side of your eardrums. When you’re in flight on an airplane, air pressure is not equal. During both ascent and descent, your eardrums stretch to try to adapt to the changes. In order to equalize the pressure, your eustachian tube needs to open and close. When it does, your ears pop! Usually, the ear popping is irritating, but nothing more. However, in rare cases, the pressure can lead to ear pain and even loss in hearing, especially if your ears don’t pop. In this case, you may need to make an effort to get your eustachian tube to open by yawning, talking, or swallowing. Sucking on a piece of candy, swallowing some water, or chewing gum may also help! One of the best things you can do is make sure you are not sleeping as the airplane takes off or lands because your eustachian tube isn’t able to open and close normally. If you commonly struggle with congestion or sore ears on flights, taking a nasal decongestant before you board may ensure that your eustachian tube is not blocked. If your hearing and ears do not return to normal shortly after the flight, be sure to schedule an appointment to see your health care professional as soon as possible.

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. (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]

2022

INSPIRING HAPPINESS!

2021 REFERRAL WINNER!

We want to thank everyone who referred their friends, family, and coworkers to Vermost Insurance throughout 2021. 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 2021 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 2021 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

Largo, FL 33771-3315

Phone: (727) 748-2886

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

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Wacky January Holidays

• Jan. 1 — National Bloody Mary Day • Jan. 2 — National Buffet Day • Jan. 3 — National Thank God It’s Monday Day • Jan. 4 — National Trivia Day • Jan. 5 — National Whipped Cream Day • Jan. 7 — National Bobblehead Day • Jan. 8 — National Bubble Bath Day • Jan. 9 — National Static Electricity Day • Jan. 11 — National Step in a Puddle and Splash Your Friends Day • Jan. 13 — National Rubber Ducky Day

• Jan. 14 — National Dress Up Your Pet Day • Jan. 15 — National Bagel Day • Jan. 16 — National Fig Newton Day • Jan. 18 — National Winnie the Pooh Day • Jan. 20 — National Cheese Lovers Day • Jan. 21 — Squirrel Appreciation Day • Jan. 24 — National Peanut Butter Day • Jan. 27 — National Chocolate Cake Day • Jan. 28 — National Blueberry Pancake Day • Jan. 31 — National Backward Day

WORD SEARCH

DEEP-FRIED NEW YEAR’S ‘COOKIES’

Inspired by MennoniteGirlsCanCook.ca

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp yeast • 1/2 cup water, warmed • ½ cup and 1 tsp sugar, divided • 5 eggs, beaten • 1/4 cup butter, softened

• 2 1/2 cups milk, warmed • 1 1/2 tsp salt • 4 cups raisins • 7 cups flour • 4 cups canola oil

Directions 1. In a large bowl, combine yeast, water, and 1 tsp sugar. Wait 10 minutes. 2. Stir in remaining sugar, eggs, butter, milk, and salt. 3. Fold in the raisins and flour. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Let the dough rise for an hour. 4. In a high-sided pot or deep fryer, heat canola oil to 340 F. Line a plate with paper towels. 5. Drop a rounded tablespoon of dough into the oil. Fry until golden brown, then set aside on the plate. Poke the cookie with a toothpick. If the toothpick comes out clean, it’s cooked through! 6. Repeat until the batter is gone.

Blanket Carnation Cold Emmys Football Garnet

Janus Mittens Parade Resolution Snow Workout

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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 December: Jill Green

› 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

Jose Toolbox Remodel Alena Shclarr Chris Partenheimer JoanWalker

Kathleen DiLorenzo RosemaryVermost Alberto Santos

December Puzzle Winner: Sue King December Referral Winner: Alena Shclarr

› Umbrella › Workers'

Darby Jones Professional

Compensation

... and more!

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

Phone: (727) 748-2886