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Protection Team News INSURANCE COMPANY LOSSES PILING UP Waiting for Legislative Input
Another one bites the dust … No, I’m not talking about the hit song by Queen. I’m talking about another insurance company that has been placed into Receivership, which means that it doesn’t have enough money to cover claims. This really isn’t that much of a surprise since the carrier was in the process of an orderly withdrawal from the Florida insurance marketplace, but Hurricane Ian hammered them before they could exit. The legislative changes recently enacted were too late for a lifeline. Is this the last insurance carrier to go bankrupt? I don’t know, but if Florida were to get another direct hit like Hurricane Ian, I would say the odds of more following suit are very high. Speaking of losing money, has anyone seen the recent financial results of some of the largest insurance companies? State Farm just reported a $13.4 billion — yes, with a B — loss for last year. Allstate reported almost a $2 billion loss for 2022, and Geico reported $1.2 billion in losses. These are nationwide results and show just how bad the home and auto losses have been for the last couple of years. Everyone is feeling the pain of rate increases; even Iowans who have had some of the lowest premiums are finally seeing rate increases. We Floridians are not alone, but we are feeling some of the largest rate increases. Hopefully, the changes already enacted by the Legislature in December, along with some other possible changes in the upcoming legislative session, will finally provide some relief. I don’t think we will see much until May 2023 when the session ends, but I will keep you updated when I hear anything new. As you can see from the picture, our office held a donation drive for the SPCA this month. We had a great response from our customers, and we can’t
VOL 15, ISSUE 5
Insurance Rates Likely on the Rise Page 1 Combating Spring Allergies Page 2 Collector Car Insurance 101 Page 2 Earth Day Documentaries to Watch Page 3 Referral Winners Page 4 Wacky April Holidays Page 5
Vermost First Annual donation drive benefiting SPCA Tampa Bay!
say thank you enough. In addition to all the items donated, I am donating $5 for every referral we receive in the first quarter of the year. I’m a little nervous, but know it’s going to a great cause. I also want to let you know that our 2022 Grand Prize winner was finally able to stop by the office and collect her prize. We were able to take a picture of her with the TV, which you can see in our newsletter. I also made a $250 donation to the charity of her choice: The Salvation Army. Keep those referrals coming; we truly appreciate it. Just a quick note about the Tampa Bay Rays. It’s Spring Training time and the team seems to be playing well so far. With the World Baseball Championship going on, it has taken a few of our players away to compete, so we wish them well, and hopefully, they stay healthy for the regular
Tasty Spinach Artichoke Dip Page 5
Word Search Page 5 March Referrals and Puzzle Winner! Page 6
season. Play Ball! Until next month,
–Darren
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Toll free (800) 828-2226 Fax (727) 577-4991
www.vermost.com newsletter@vermost.com
DO YOU HAVE AN ANTIQUE VEHICLE? Consider Collector Car Insurance If you own a collector car and another vehicle that you use as your daily driver, then you likely have noticed that there are some big differences between the insurance policies available for each vehicle. While traditional auto insurance carriers typically insure a large number of vehicles, classic or collector car insurance can save you money. Simply put, large insurance companies may not know how to treat your collector car. What is considered to be a collector or antique car? • They are between 15–20 years old (or older). • They are desirable or rare. • They may be sports cars, muscle cars, or exotic vehicles. On the other hand, your daily driver is the vehicle that gets you to and from work every day, to run errands, or out to grab a coffee on a rainy day. Your collector car only makes an appearance for special occasions, usually when the weather is nice. Because these special cars are typically driven less frequently than normal vehicles, they tend to be less expensive to insure.
WHEN POLLEN STRIKES Nipping Spring Allergies in the Bud Spring has arrived! However, rebirth and renewal aren’t the only things in the air. During spring, trees, weeds, plants, and grasses release small grains of pollen into the air to fertilize other plants. Because the pollen is small and light, it travels through the wind and frequently causes allergic reactions. Symptoms of seasonal allergies include congestion, sneezing, coughing, a runny nose, an itchy throat, watering eyes, and irritation in the roof of your mouth. If you’re prone to experiencing allergies all spring long, here are some useful During spring months, keep the windows in your home and car closed. On particularly windy or dry days, avoid spending time outdoors, and do not hang your clean laundry outside to dry. After you have been outdoors, remove your clothing and wash your hair and skin to remove any traces of pollen. Do not cut the grass, pull weeds, or do any gardening. Remove pollen from indoor air. It’s inevitable that pollen will get inside your home and vehicle. To combat this, utilize your air conditioning or invest in a certified allergy air filter! A dehumidifier and/or an air purifier will help to lower the pollen spore count in the air. Rinse out your sinuses. When pollen overwhelms your sinus passages, one of the best things to do is to rinse out your airways. A sinus flush with a saline solution is one of the easiest and most effective ways to eliminate the pollen that irritates your respiratory system. Take over-the-counter medications. After checking with your doctor or health care provider, choose an over-the-counter medication that is right for your symptoms. Medications like oral antihistamines, oral decongestants, and corticosteroid nasal sprays are all beneficial in reducing the effects of seasonal allergies. tips to keep them at bay. Reduce your exposure.
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
Through liability, collision, comprehensive, and other coverages geared toward collectible cars, classic car insurance works to protect your vehicle. Because these special and/or antique vehicles tend to maintain or increase in value over the years, most policies will cover any damages up to an amount that is agreed upon at signing — whereas normal coverage might not provide ample coverage. At Vermost Insurance, we understand what collector car owners want and need to protect their expensive, beautiful investments. If you or someone you know has an antique or collector car and is in the market for the correct insurance to protect it, give us a call today — we are excited to chat about the many options!
5 DOCUMENTARIES TO WATCH ON EARTH DAY
Share the Facts With Your Whole Family!
Earth Day is coming up on Saturday, April 22. But do your kids know why we commemorate the holiday? Do you? If you don’t know much about the history of environmentalism — or just want to learn more about the state of our planet — consider celebrating Earth Day by watching a documentary as a family.
Dozens of fantastic films cover everything from the crusade to preserve our coral reefs to how farmers use soil health to enhance the planet. Here are a few of our favorites. ‘Kids Take Action Against
Ocean Plastic’ — This short five- minute documentary from National Geographic follows a group of Hawaiian
students determined to clean up their local beaches. It’s available for free on National Geographic’s YouTube channel! (If you watch it and love this documentary, check out the PG- rated flick “Plastic Island ” on Netflix, which tackles the same issue in Indonesia.) ‘Brave Blue World: Racing to Solve Our Water Crisis’ — This PG-rated documentary about water security takes place on five continents and stars celebrities Liam Neeson, Matt Damon, and Jaden Smith. Check it out on Netflix. ‘Extinction: The Facts’ — This hard-hitting documentary from famous nature historian David Attenborough is perfect for kids ages 16 and up. It tackles serious topics like species loss, food and water shortages, and the relationship between climate change and pandemic diseases. “Extinction: The Facts” is available on PBS.org or Prime Video. ‘Kiss the Ground’ — Join actor Woody Harrelson on Netflix for an inspiring look at soil, why it matters, and what farmers and activists are doing to save and enhance it — and our food supply. The documentary is family-friendly and rated G. None of these documentaries existed in 1970 when anti- pollution activists came together to create Earth Day, build the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and pass laws to protect our air and water. But they’re a wonderful extension of that spirit! Hopefully, you’ll be able to watch at least one of them this month. After watching, consider taking action and volunteering for a green project near you.
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 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
newsletter@vermost.com
2023
BE A LIFESAVER
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 winner of our 2022 referral program is Christine Taylor. She received a 55-inch 4K TV plus a $250 donation to a charity of her choice. If you want a shot at the 2023 prize, keep sending referrals our way. Your referrals make us happy, and we hope our referral program makes you happy, too!
Christine Taylor is our 2022 referral winner of the 55-inch 4K TV, plus a $250 donation to a charity of her choice.
• A $50 GIFT CARD
• $5 Donation to our spotlight charity: SPCA-Tampa Bay
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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 April Holidays
• April 1 – National One Cent Day • April 2 – National Ferret Day • April 3 – National Find a Rainbow Day • April 4 – National Walk Around Things Day • April 5 – National Deep Dish Pizza Day • April 6 – National Caramel Popcorn Day • April 7 – National Girl Me Too Day • April 9 – National Name Yourself Day • April 10 – National Farm Animals Day • April 12 – National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day • April 13 – National Make Lunch Count Day • April 14 – National Reach as High as You Can Day • April 15 – National Take a Wild Guess Day
• April 16 – National Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day • April 17 – National Cheeseball Day • April 18 – National Animal Crackers Day • April 19 – National Hanging Out Day • April 20 – National Look-Alike Day • April 21– National Chocolate-Covered Cashews Day • April 23 – National Talk Like Shakespeare Day • April 24 – National Pigs-in-a-Blanket Day • April 25 – National Hug a Plumber Day • April 26 – National Pretzel Day • April 27 – National Tell a Story Day • April 29 – National Zipper Day • April 30 – National Bugs Bunny Day
WORD SEARCH
TASTY SPINACH ARTICHOKE DIP
Ingredients
• 8 oz spinach leaves • 8 oz cream cheese, softened • 1 cup sour cream • 3/4 cup chopped marinated artichoke hearts • 1 tsp minced garlic • 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided • Sliced bread, crackers, or tortilla chips for serving
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Coat a small baking dish with cooking spray. 2. In a medium pan, steam or sauté spinach until wilted. When spinach cools, ring out excess water, then chop coarsely. 3. In a large bowl, mix cream cheese, sour cream, spinach, artichoke hearts, garlic, salt, pepper, Parmesan cheese, and 3/4 cup of mozzarella cheese. 4. Spread the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining mozzarella cheese. 5. Bake for 20 minutes or until the dip is bubbly. Turn the oven to broil and cook for an additional 2–3 minutes so the cheese will begin to brown. 6. Immediately serve with bread, crackers, or tortilla chips. Inspired by DinnerAtTheZoo.com
Shower Sweets Taxes Volunteer
Lily Planting Refund Regrowth
Buds Conservation Diamond Easter
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
newsletter@vermost.com
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 co-workers 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 February:
› Antique vehicles › Annuities › Auto › Boat/RV › Bonds › Builder's 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
Pablo at AR Law Cynthia Stratton Marsha Ebaugh
Heather Cole Scott Frohlich David Simpson Steven Scudder Brett Reichold Shawn Otto Bill Gardner Elizabeth Halling Ivan Thurlow
Mary Rivera Bill Gardner Lawrence Gaffrey Giosina Perri John Gay William Wroblewski
March Puzzle Winner: This should have been you! March Referral Winner: Heather Cole
› Umbrella › Workers'
compensation
... and more!
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1200 Belcher Rd. S., Suite 1 Largo, FL 33771-3315
Phone: (727) 748-2886
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