Vermost Insurance Agency - May 2022

Vermost Insurance Agency - May 2022

Protection Team News MANY THINGS FACTOR INTO RATES

Home and Auto Insurance Unaddressed

VOL 14, ISSUE 5

Well, some things just never change … Unfortunately, the legislative session finished up, and nothing was done to address either home insurance or auto insurance issues we Floridians are experiencing. To make matters worse, another company is going into receivership and leaving more customers to find new coverage in a short and difficult time. If this negative trend continues, by the end of the year, we will be left with mainly Citizens being the only carrier writing new business in Florida — assuming we don’t have any storms hit the state of Florida this season. I am asked all the time why the rates are going up and carriers are going bankrupt. I wish it was an easy answer, but it’s not. I can share some numbers with you that will help explain some of the issues, but not all of them. First, in 2021, global catastrophes caused insurance company losses of $112 billion according to Swiss Re Institute. The two costliest natural disaster events were recorded in the U.S.: Hurricane Ida ($30–$32 billion in losses) and winter storm Uri ($15 billion in losses). Second, according to a report commissioned by the Florida Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, 71% of money awarded in roof lawsuits went to roofer attorney fees and 25 attorneys filed 33% of those lawsuits in 2019. Like I said, there are many factors and you can’t point to just one. Hopefully, a special session will be called before hurricane season begins. All we can do is keep watching and let our representatives know of our dissatisfaction. Speaking of hurricane season, the early predications are in, and it’s not looking good for the 2022 season. Sarasota researcher Bob

Many Things Factor Into Rates Page 1 Strengthen Your Entire Body! Page 2 Business Interruption Insurance Explained Page 2 Did You Know ... Page 2 Are the Books Better Than the Films? Page 3 Check Out Our Referral Program! Page 4 Wacky May Holidays Page 5

Noelle at her Bridesmaid ASK Brunch with her bridesmaid

Bunting is predicting 22 named storms and five major hurricanes this year. This is not shaping up for a good outcome. To makes matters worse, the researcher is predicting that our first storm will be in May. Yes, he said May, which is one month before the “official” start of the season. I highly suggest you get your plan updated early, and food and necessary items ready, just in case. Don’t forget to get your flood insurance in place as well. Wow, can things change quickly in sports! Yes, you knowwhat I am talking about. Tom Brady is back as a Buc and Bruce Arians is now retired. I want to knowwho saw either of these things happening. Not me! I am not complaining, but wow, talk about quick changes. Things are looking up for the Bucs again, but they still have some positions to fill. Hopefully, they will get those done before the NFL draft. Until next month, –Darren

Sudoku Page 5

Summer Strawberry Spinach Salad Page 5 April Referrals and Puzzle Winner! Page 6

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

www.vermost.com [email protected]

BUSINESS PROPERTY DAMAGE CLAIM? Business Interruption Insurance Can Help Imagine you close up shop one night at your business and return the next morning to find the building has been burned to the ground. What now? Setting property damage aside, how do you recoup the loss of revenue and other expenses from having to close your business until your Plan B springs into action? Business interruption insurance helps to compensate you as a business owner for any lost revenue, rent or lease payments, taxes, employee wages, loan payments, or cost of relocation if a fire or other damage to your commercial property forces you to temporarily close your business. Whether heavy rain creates severe water damage at your hair salon business, your bank is burglarized overnight and many windows are broken, a hurricane damages the roof at your restaurant, or a giant sinkhole damages numerous cars and the building structure at your car dealership, having to shut your doors is sure to create mayhem and tons of unexpected costs to keep the business alive while waiting to resume normal operations.

PADDLE YOUR WAY TO BETTER HEALTH Big Benefits of Canoeing and Kayaking The weather is getting warmer, which means you can do more activities in the water. Canoeing or kayaking is an excellent way to get outdoors and be active. Besides looking at the beautiful scenery around you, taking to the water confers several physical and mental health benefits. Physical Benefits • Paddling can help improve your upper-body strength and muscle tone — because you’re using your arms to guide yourself through the water with the paddle. Paddling helps strengthen your arms, shoulders, chest, and back. • You use your legs to balance, maneuver, and change directions in the vessel. In turn, this movement helps strengthen your lower-body muscles. • While trying to stay centered and balanced on the water, you will develop more core strength. Paddling helps work your lower back, abs, and oblique muscles. • It’s a form of cardiac exercise that will help your heart circulate more blood throughout your body. It will also improve your endurance , enabling you to go longer distances faster. Mental Benefits • While canoeing or kayaking, your body releases serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins from neurotransmitters. This will help boost your mood and self-confidence and improve your focus. • These activities can enhance your memory and learning ability. This is because it exercises your hippocampus, one of the largest portions of your brain that is responsible for verbal memory and learning. • If you have trouble sleeping, this activity can improve your sleep . Exercising during the day can make you naturally tired, which helps you fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night. • Since you’ll be in the sun, your body can produce more vitamin D . This vitamin is essential for strong bones and an effective immune system. Canoeing and kayaking are great outdoor activities to help you get your daily dose of physical activity and a mental health boost. So, enjoy the warm weather and be one with nature — this may be your new favorite summer hobby this year!

Vermost Insurance NOW has a relationship with Chuck Chucri who offers Financial Planning and Investment

Did You Know ...

Advisory Services!

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1200 Belcher Rd. S., Suite 1

Largo, FL 33771-3315

Phone: (727) 748-2886

While business interruption insurance covers the costs of lost revenue, it does not cover the property damage itself or interruptions that are not related to property damage, such as having to close down for a period of time due to COVID-19. It covers the financial losses that result from property damage, not the physical or material cost. Even if a property insurance claim forces you to close up shop for a few weeks, if you have business interruption insurance, you’re covered from the time that the interruption occurs until business is able to resume as normal. For more information on how business interruption insurance can benefit your business, give us a call today! We offer free competitive quotes.

Time to Be a Movie Critic! 3 Motion Pictures Inspired by Books We’ve all heard the saying, “The book is way better than the movie or TV show.” Movies and TV shows provide you with a great visual representation of the characters and storyline. The films are equally as good as their respective books in their own right. Here are a few films inspired by This is one of Stephen King’s most famous novels. There is even a much-acclaimed 1980 movie based on the book. But did you know that Stephen King directed and produced his own miniseries? The three one-hour episodes follow the book precisely and provide more information on the characters. Spoiler alert: There are no twins or garden books that you should check out. ‘The Shining’ 3-Part Miniseries

maze in this series, but there are moving topiary hedges! ‘The Ultimate Evil: The Search for the Sons of Sam’ There are a lot of conspiracy theories about the Son of Sam and his crimes. Some have argued that David Berkowitz didn’t commit these crimes alone — and they have evidence to prove it. Follow along with journalist Maury Terry as he makes his way down the rabbit holes of this case.

CALL FOR DETAILS OR TO MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY (727) 748-2886 Chuck Chucri, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, FLMI Financial Advisor 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.

There is more to this crime than what appeared in the media, such as cult practices and ties to other cases like Charles Manson and his family. ‘Looking for Alaska’ John Green has captured the hearts of millions of readers across the world, and now there is a movie inspired by his first novel, “Looking for Alaska.” This coming-of-age story follows a teenage boy as he searches for the meaning of life. Then, a sudden tragedy strikes, and the boy and his friends must come to terms with the event. The movie shows the emotion, grief, and love the boy deals with on his journey. Pull out your tissues for this film; it’s sure to be a tear-jerker. You don’t need to read the books first in order to watch the TV show or movie — these films can stand on their own. These are only a few of the many movies and TV shows that are based on best selling books. Now it’s time for you to be the judge and determine if the books are, in fact, better than their films.

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Toll free (800) 828-2226

Fax (727) 577-4991

www.vermost.com

[email protected]

2022

INSPIRING HAPPINESS!

2022 REFERRAL WINNER!

We want to thank everyone who referred their friends, family, and coworkers to Vermost Insurance throughout 2022. 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 2022 referral program is Pablo Arriola. He received a 55-inch 4K TV plus a $250 donation to a charity of his 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!

Pablo Arriola is our 2022 referral winner of the 55-inch 4K TV, plus a $250 donation to a charity of his 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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WackyMay Holidays

• May 1: National Lemonade Day • May 2: National Truffle Day • May 3: National Garden Meditation Day • May 4: National Star Wars Day • May 5: National Hoagie Day • May 7: Free Comic Book Day • May 8: National Have a Coke Day • May 9: National Sleepover Day • May 10: National Clean Your Room Day • May 11: National Eat What You Want Day • May 13: National Crouton Day

• May 14: National Dance Like a Chicken Day • May 15: National Chocolate Chip Day • May 16: National Love a Tree Day • May 20: National Pizza Party Day • May 22: National Buy a Musical Instrument Day • May 25: National Tap Dance Day • May 26: National Paper Airplane Day • May 27: National Grape Popsicle Day • May 30: National Water a Flower Day • May 31: National Speak in Sentences Day

SUDOKU

SUMMER STRAWBERRY SPINACH SALAD

Inspired by AmbitiousKitchen.com

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar • 1/4 cup olive oil • 1 garlic clove, grated or finely minced • 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard • 1/2 tbsp strawberry jam • Freshly ground salt and pepper, to taste • 1/3 cup raw, sliced almonds

• 5 oz organic spinach • 2 cups strawberries, halved • 1 large avocado, sliced • 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced • 1/2 cup feta crumbles • 1/4 cup roasted pistachios, chopped

Directions 1. In a small bowl, combine balsamic vinegar, olive oil, chopped garlic, Dijon mustard, and strawberry jam. Mix well. Add salt and pepper to taste. 2. In a pan, toast the almonds over medium heat until they are golden brown. 3. In a large bowl, add spinach. Then layer on strawberries, avocado, red onion, feta, toasted almonds, and chopped pistachios. 4. Toss dressing in salad or serve on the side.

You can fax, email, or mail your completed puzzle for a chance to win our monthly prize!

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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 program makes you happy, too! People who referred clients to us in April: Bill Wroblewski Rick Sutton Pete Battalia Nazih Tageddine

› 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

Robert Garmezy Don Richey Cynthia Stratton Tuttle & Sons Christine Taylor Fairway Village MH Park FB Tim Wabnitz Phil Day Melinda Burchard

Henry Nguyen Bill Wroblewski Just Do It Tree Care Kathryn Boyajian Glenda Sasser Karen Asher

April Puzzle Winner: Nancy Counselor April Referral Winner: Robert Garmezy

› Umbrella › Workers'

compensation

... and more!

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

Phone: (727) 748-2886