July 28, 2025 • 17 mins
What happens when an insurance agency puts love at the center of its business model? Gail Langner from State Insurance USA reveals the remarkable difference this makes for Fort Myers Beach residents in this heartfelt conversation.
State Insurance USA isn't your typical insurance agency. As an independent agent representing virtually every carrier in Florida, they offer something increasingly rare in today's market: options. Founded by second-generation insurance professional Blake Chapman, the agency has grown from a single office to five locations across Southwest Florida. Their secret? A foundation built on love and community connection.
The timing of their Fort Myers Beach office opening—just 28 days before Hurricane Ian—thrust them immediately into crisis response mode. Gail shares emotional stories of how they supported clients through the overwhelmed claims process, sometimes going far beyond insurance matters. When a disabled veteran needed refrigeration for insulin, they didn't hesitate to purchase and deliver one themselves. These moments reveal the true character behind their business philosophy.
What truly distinguishes State Insurance USA is their ability to match clients with the perfect carrier for their specific needs. "Your insurance policy is just a piece of paper until you need it," Gail explains, highlighting why having the right coverage matters more than saving a few dollars. She also shares encouraging news about the insurance market post-Ian, noting that some policies are actually decreasing in cost as the region rebuilds.
Whether you're a current Fort Myers Beach resident or planning your next visit to this resilient slice of paradise, this episode captures the spirit of community that makes our island special. Listen now to discover how businesses with heart are helping rebuild stronger than before—and how finding the right insurance partner might be easier than you think.
State Insurance USA
Gail Lagner - Agency Manager
4450 Camino Real Way
Ft Myers, FL 33966
239-567-9992
100 Lovers Ln 3rd Floor
Ft Myers Beach, FL 33931
(239) 690-6300
office@StateInsuranceUSA.com
stateinsuranceusa.com
https://www.facebook.com/Stateinsuranceusa
#StateInsuranceUSA
#SupportLocal
#WeLoveOurClients
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to the Fort Myers Beach Good Neighbor
Podcast, where the sun's alwaysshining and the stories are even
brighter.
Each episode we bring youcloser to the neighbors, local
legends and beachside businessesthat make Fort Myers Beach the
slice of paradise we all love.
Pull up a beach chair, grab adrink and let's meet the people
who make this island feel likehome.
We want to send out some islandlove to Eric Tibbs from Edward
(00:21):
Jones State Insurance, usa andHome Well Care Services Fort
Myers.
Love to Eric Tibbs from EdwardJones State Insurance, usa and
Home Well Care Services FortMyers.
They are the businesses thatallow us to share the soul of
our community with everylistener, from local stories to
the positive vibe of island life.
Here's to celebrating all thatmakes Fort Myers Beach the slice
of paradise we all love.
Here's your host, cabo, jimSchaller.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Welcome Fort Myers Beach.
Good Neighbors, I can get thatout this morning.
A little struggle there, buttoday we have good neighbor Gail
Langner from State InsuranceUSA.
Boy, I'm having trouble thismorning, aren't I?
Speaker 3 (00:55):
It's okay, it's Monday, it's all right.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
It is.
I think I spent too much timein the sun this weekend.
I think it's what happened, butit's been beautiful out there,
so who can blame us?
Right, exactly right Today,we're going to learn a little
bit about State Insurance USA.
And, for those of you notfamiliar with them, gail, why
don't we share a little bitabout you?
Speaker 3 (01:19):
Okay, well, I can tell you about our company State
Insurance USA.
We are a property and casualtyinsurance company, and what that
basically means is we insurealmost everything except for
health.
We don't do health but yourhome, your auto, flood, your
business, any of that.
And Blake is our owner BlakeChapman, and he started the
(01:42):
business about 12 years ago, buthe was a second generation
insurance.
His dad was an insurance agentlong before him, but we started
with one office in Fort Myersand now we have five offices.
We have two in Fort Myers, onein Fort Myers Beach, of course,
one in Estero and then one inNaples on Fifth Avenue as well.
(02:04):
So we run our entire agency byBlake's core values.
His number one core value islove.
He feels like if we all loveone another, everything will
fall into place after that.
Everything is minor after that,and so we're very client
focused.
Make sure that we give ourclients the very best coverage
(02:25):
at the very best price.
Very important is the fact thatwe're an independent agent.
Well, what the heck does thatmean?
It means that we write for infact, we personally write for
almost every insurance carrierin the state of Florida.
So if you're not happy with theone particular insurance you
(02:49):
know, let's say your homeinsurance.
Let's say your home insurancewent way, way up.
We will, we'll look and seewho's the best person for you at
the very best rate.
And you know, blake always justbasically says your insurance
policy is just a piece of paperuntil you need it.
And when you get something,like Ian that came through, you
need it.
And when you need it, you needit.
(03:10):
And so that's our job.
There's the liaison between theinsurance carriers and our
super valued clients.
So that's who we are.
Speaker 2 (03:19):
I love that and very community based, obviously here
in South.
Speaker 1 (03:23):
Florida.
Yes, we are.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
That's important.
So let's back up your story alittle bit.
How did you get involved in theinsurance industry?
Speaker 3 (03:31):
Oh gosh, Okay.
So I had been a Mary Kay salesdirector and a TV host for many
years and after my husbandpassed away, I actually went to
BNI which is business networkingwith Blake and we were on the
same leadership team and he saidwhat are you going to do now
(03:53):
that Gary has passed away, youknow, do you have plans?
One thing led to another and Iagreed to help him with his
marketing part-time Monday,Wednesday, half day Friday and I
think I did that about a monthand then I've been full-time
ever since.
So it's been almost 10 yearsI've been with him now.
So I think we have threeemployees when we started and I
think, as of today, I think wehave 42.
So yeah, so it's been an honorto watch it grow.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
And speaking of that growth you had mentioned, you're
headquartered there in FortMyers, right, but then you
expanded to the beach.
Why Fort Myers Beach?
Speaker 3 (04:28):
We.
It was funny because peoplewould say to us they would call
in and they would go oh, are youon island?
And we'd go, well, no, but itdoesn't really matter where we
are, we can ride in Key West orJacksonville or whatever.
And they'd go, okay, well,thanks.
And these days really, youdon't really go into your
(04:55):
insurance agent and sit downwith them anymore, it's, you
know, it can be done so mucheasier than that.
And they have to go and sit atthe agent's desk.
But they wanted us to be onisland, so it was.
It took us literally years tofind exactly what we were
looking for.
You know, sometimes they, youknow the, the options were way
too big.
Or when we looked at it we went, oh, no, thanks, um, right, and
(05:18):
so, um, it ended up that, um,access title, uh moved into uh,
100 lovers lane, um, there wherethe chamber is actually, and
alex king and so on.
And I happen to be at a at afort myers beach chamber coffee.
I'm the chair of the board forthe fort myers beach chamber and
I happen to be at a Fort MyersBeach Chamber coffee.
I'm the chair of the board forthe Fort Myers Beach Chamber and
I happened to be at a coffeeand one of the gals from Access
(05:40):
Title was there and I wastelling her you know that I was
so distressed trying to findsome place on the beach and she
said well, we have an emptyoffice that we could probably
sublet to you.
And that's really how.
That's how it started.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Wow, interesting and you mentioned it's a very
particular people on the island.
Speaker 3 (05:59):
when they do business with people on the island,
exactly right, even though wewere only like five or six miles
off the island.
They wanted us to be there andI can understand that.
So yeah, but it took us a verylong time to find just the thing
and we just happened to be atthe right place at the right
time to have Access Title bethere and just have that
conversation come up.
So yeah, and we did our ribboncutting, I think 30, no, maybe
(06:23):
28 days before Ian.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
Wow, Crazy.
So talk about challenges.
You know we've all been througha lot of big challenges as of
late, especially, you know, inyour industry, late, especially,
you know, in your industry.
Is there something that youcould kind of look back at now
and you can say you know, it'sone of my prouder moments
through all this and I perseverethan I've come through?
Speaker 3 (06:52):
It was a time for all of us where, at the end of each
day those of us that workedhere at State Insurance I don't
think there was almost a day wedidn't go home and were crying.
I mean it was a very difficulttime, a difficult time for
everyone and of course we didn'treally know exactly how it was
going to work, like first thefield adjuster comes and then
(07:14):
after that, then the fieldadjuster takes his reports back
to the insurance carrier andthen there is a desk adjuster
that's set and how that all goes.
And for us being the liaison, Imean sometimes our clients would
call and say they're notcalling me back, they're not
calling me, and so we would jumpin there and we would try to
(07:36):
help.
But of course, the people nowthat we look back, the people at
the insurance carriers, theywere overwhelmed.
You know this was a naturaldisaster.
This wasn't just somethunderstorm that came through,
you know.
And I think one time we had adisabled veteran that was our
(07:56):
client and he needed hisrefrigerator for his insulin and
we bought him a refrigeratorand had it delivered, and I mean
it was just those kinds ofthings that we just did
everything that we possiblycould to help in any way we
could, and so, and sometimes itwas just to listen.
You know it was a bad time.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
And that's what you know.
Sometimes people need that.
They need the generosity oftheir community and coming
together and helping each other.
And you know it's.
We can plan all we want.
We never plan for somethinglike that.
And when the time does come, weneed to come together.
And you know, thank God forpeople like you that you know
have come and stepped up andhelp build Fort Myers Beach back
(08:37):
to what it was.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
Super proud to watch that happen too.
It's really exciting to see ithappen.
And then speaking along thoselines, fort Myers Beach.
You know, are there certainthings you're involved with to
give back and help support thecommunity in other ways that
maybe we could mention?
Well, obviously, being involvedwith the Chamber Board as many
(09:00):
years as I've been is an honorfor me.
But I can also tell you thatBlake actually donates to two
different local nonprofitorganizations every single month
, and we give back to people onthe beach as well.
I mean whether it's the Friendsof Lovers' Cave or the F&B
Strong.
You know, whatever we've doneour level best and then whenever
(09:24):
we have an event of anymagnitude, we do our best to
have it there.
We've had an event at DiamondHead.
At Pink Shell, atMargaritaville, we're doing our
Christmas party.
We're going to be taking aparty bus from our office and
we're going to take the pontoonfrom Salty Sam's and then we're
(09:47):
going to be having dinner atBonita Bill's.
So I'm sorry, bonita Fish,bonita Fish.
Sorry, joe, I didn't mean tosay Bonita Bills, yeah, Bonita
Fish.
So we'll be doing our dinnerthere and then take the bus back
.
So we try to bring as muchmoney out to the area as what we
can.
Speaker 2 (10:06):
Yeah, and I love that .
And I love where thisrelationship is going as well
too, because, as we mentioned,you're coming on board and
sponsoring a segment that we'regoing to call on this podcast
about community charities andnonprofits and help share their
story to the people outside hereas well too.
So I'm very excited about thatand where we can take that and
raise awareness and really helpreally give back to the
(10:28):
community.
So thank you for that.
Speaker 3 (10:30):
Of course it's an honor to work together, Jim,
Really it is.
Speaker 2 (10:34):
So are you from Southwest Florida originally.
Speaker 3 (10:37):
No, I was born and raised in Michigan, lived north
of Philly for a bit and lived inMinnesota for a few years, and
then I lived in Sarasota when Iwas a little bit younger.
Jeez, it sounds like I wasrunning from the law, doesn't it
?
Actually, my husband's job tookus around a bit.
So no, born and raised inMichigan.
(10:59):
So how about you?
I was born in.
Speaker 2 (11:01):
Wisconsin and grew up in Illinois and got out of
college and said I don't want toshovel snow anymore.
Speaker 3 (11:08):
No, thank you.
Speaker 2 (11:10):
See how smart we are.
I know right.
Speaker 3 (11:13):
And now all our friends want to come visit us,
right?
Yes, they do, we're verypopular down here.
Speaker 2 (11:20):
So are there certain places that you would maybe
suggest to our listeners whenthey do have people come visit,
like we so often do, to takethem to Fort Myers Beach and
share their experience?
Speaker 3 (11:31):
Oh my gosh, absolutely.
I mean, look at the restaurantsthat are up and running now.
I mean you've got NervousNellie's and La Ola and of
course, the Whale's on its wayand the Beach Bar, and you know
it's coming back and it feels sogood.
It feels so good and of coursepeople say, well, you know it
(11:51):
doesn't look the same anymore.
Well, no, it can't.
You know, we've got to bemindful Again.
Go back to the insuranceindustry.
We have to.
You know, we have to be safeand be up to standards and be up
to code and all of that.
So, no, it won't work exactlythe same, probably won't look
the same, but boy, the peopleare still here.
And whether you just go toMojo's and get a cup of coffee
(12:16):
or you know whatever I mean it's, you know it's it still has the
same, still has the same peopleand the same family feel.
Speaker 2 (12:22):
And it's got.
It's got that vibe, it's gotthat.
It's got that vibe, it's gotthat energy and it's nice to
have that back and seeing thenew things sprout up and come
back that we all know and loveso that's exactly right, yep on
your industry.
Do you notice?
Certain things may be changingor trending now because of what
happened no, well, I mean it.
Speaker 3 (12:41):
There was a time when some of the insurance carriers
would say, well, we're just notgoing to write in this zip code
or that zip code or whatever,and it was.
It limited us completely,because I think some of the
insurance carriers might justsay, ok, well, we, you know, we
need a break from that area, abreak from that area, and so uh,
(13:08):
but I can tell you, I, I havemy home policy with frontline
and it actually went down fromfrom when it, when it renewed,
wasn't much went down three orfour hundred dollars.
But hey, I'll take it you know,because, you know before, the
rates are going up and up and upand um.
So no, it actually it decreased.
And so and and they uh, fema,actually also um did where I
live, I live in Estero they wentthrough and did a remapping and
(13:29):
now, all of a sudden, I'm notin an AE zone anymore, now I'm
in an X zone, flood-wise, and soI don't have to carry my flood
insurance.
I'm not dumb, so I still carryit.
But yeah, I mean.
So, yeah, no, I'm not, and wereally in the industry are not
as nervous as what we werebefore.
That's good, that's a goodquestion yeah.
Speaker 2 (13:53):
Yeah because, every time a natural disaster or
something like that comes along,people think oh, there go the
reefs, there we go, yeah.
Speaker 3 (13:59):
There we go.
Speaker 2 (14:00):
But it's good to see things like that coming down.
Speaker 3 (14:02):
It's scary, though.
No-transcript USAA who targetsthe?
(14:29):
I don't mean to say targets,that's not a nice word.
They market to the servicepeople.
Right, they can write for USAA.
Yeah, so this is your option.
So now I've heard that they'reawesome with their claims.
I mean really, really awesome.
But when you're independent andwe have all these different
(14:50):
options, you may say, okay, well, tower Hill won't write this,
but People's Trust will.
Well, people's Trust won'twrite that, but Frontline will,
and so it does give us anadvantage to really help our
clients give them the bestcoverage that they can have.
Speaker 2 (15:06):
Absolutely.
You can find what fits theirneeds exactly and kind of tailor
it and say, hey, this is whatwe have.
This is all you get.
You know, I love that.
So is there one thing that youwish our listeners knew about
State Insurance USA that maybethey wouldn't be too aware of?
Speaker 3 (15:26):
I think it's our heart.
You know, when I'm interviewingpeople, I can teach them skills
not me personally, but my teamleads can teach them skills, but
I can't teach them heart.
And that's the one thing thatwe have that sets us apart.
It's our culture.
It's truly our culture and wereally do the very level best
(15:52):
that we can for our clients.
We really do, and we're thefirst ones to also say you know,
jim, we looked at your stuffand you know what we think.
You should probably just stayright where you are, you know,
and so that's who we are andthat is what I'm most proud of
working for Blake and workingfor this agency, yeah.
Speaker 2 (16:14):
I love it.
I love it.
You know, and again, weappreciate everything you guys
do with the community.
How would our listeners goabout contacting you if they
wanted to learn more or had somequestions?
If?
Speaker 3 (16:23):
they wanted to learn more or had some questions.
You can either call us at239-567-9992.
That's our main number, or youcan go to stateinsuranceusa.
com or our Facebook page, and soState Insurance USA is our full
name and that's how you'll getus.
Speaker 2 (16:46):
But yeah, we'd be happy to help anybody that we
can.
Very good Any last words forour listeners today.
Speaker 3 (16:50):
I thank you, jim, for what you're doing with this
podcast, and I know that it'sgoing to be a great thing for
our community and I thank youfor doing that.
Speaker 2 (16:59):
Yeah, and I appreciate your support and your
help and I'm looking forward towhere our podcast goes.
Speaker 3 (17:08):
That sounds great, We'll go from here right, that's
it.
Speaker 2 (17:09):
That's it.
Thank you for being such a goodneighbor and we'll see you at
the beach soon.
Speaker 3 (17:12):
All right, thanks, jim, bye, bye.
Speaker 1 (17:15):
Thanks for tuning in to the Fort Myers Beach Good
Neighbor podcast, wherecommunity meets paradise.
If you love what you heard,share it with a friend and keep
the good vibes going Until nexttime.
Stay sunny, stay salty and keepbeing a good neighbor.
Also, to nominate your favoriteneighbors, local legends,
heroes or island businesses tobe on the show, go to cabo wabo
gymcom.
(17:35):
That's cabo wabo gymcom.
Or call 239-427-4100.
We want to send out some islandlove to eric tibbs from edward
jones, state insurance usa andhome welfare services fort myers
.
They are the businesses thatallow us to share the soul of
our community with everylistener, from local stories to
the positive vibe of island life.
Here's to celebrating all thatmakes Fort Myers Beach the slice
(17:56):
of paradise we all love.
Welcome to the Fort Myers Beach Good Neighbor
Podcast, where the sun's alwaysshining and the stories are even
brighter.
Each episode we bring youcloser to the neighbors, local
legends and beachside businessesthat make Fort Myers Beach the
slice of paradise we all love.
Pull up a beach chair, grab adrink and let's meet the people
who make this island feel likehome.
We want to send out some islandlove to Eric Tibbs from Edward
(00:21):
Jones State Insurance, usa andHome Well Care Services Fort
Myers.
Love to Eric Tibbs from EdwardJones State Insurance, usa and
Home Well Care Services FortMyers.
They are the businesses thatallow us to share the soul of
our community with everylistener, from local stories to
the positive vibe of island life.
Here's to celebrating all thatmakes Fort Myers Beach the slice
of paradise we all love.
Here's your host, cabo, jimSchaller.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Welcome Fort Myers Beach.
Good Neighbors, I can get thatout this morning.
A little struggle there, buttoday we have good neighbor Gail
Langner from State InsuranceUSA.
Boy, I'm having trouble thismorning, aren't I?
Speaker 3 (00:55):
It's okay, it's Monday, it's all right.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
It is.
I think I spent too much timein the sun this weekend.
I think it's what happened, butit's been beautiful out there,
so who can blame us?
Right, exactly right Today,we're going to learn a little
bit about State Insurance USA.
And, for those of you notfamiliar with them, gail, why
don't we share a little bitabout you?
Speaker 3 (01:19):
Okay, well, I can tell you about our company State
Insurance USA.
We are a property and casualtyinsurance company, and what that
basically means is we insurealmost everything except for
health.
We don't do health but yourhome, your auto, flood, your
business, any of that.
And Blake is our owner BlakeChapman, and he started the
(01:42):
business about 12 years ago, buthe was a second generation
insurance.
His dad was an insurance agentlong before him, but we started
with one office in Fort Myersand now we have five offices.
We have two in Fort Myers, onein Fort Myers Beach, of course,
one in Estero and then one inNaples on Fifth Avenue as well.
(02:04):
So we run our entire agency byBlake's core values.
His number one core value islove.
He feels like if we all loveone another, everything will
fall into place after that.
Everything is minor after that,and so we're very client
focused.
Make sure that we give ourclients the very best coverage
(02:25):
at the very best price.
Very important is the fact thatwe're an independent agent.
Well, what the heck does thatmean?
It means that we write for infact, we personally write for
almost every insurance carrierin the state of Florida.
So if you're not happy with theone particular insurance you
(02:49):
know, let's say your homeinsurance.
Let's say your home insurancewent way, way up.
We will, we'll look and seewho's the best person for you at
the very best rate.
And you know, blake always justbasically says your insurance
policy is just a piece of paperuntil you need it.
And when you get something,like Ian that came through, you
need it.
And when you need it, you needit.
(03:10):
And so that's our job.
There's the liaison between theinsurance carriers and our
super valued clients.
So that's who we are.
Speaker 2 (03:19):
I love that and very community based, obviously here
in South.
Speaker 1 (03:23):
Florida.
Yes, we are.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
That's important.
So let's back up your story alittle bit.
How did you get involved in theinsurance industry?
Speaker 3 (03:31):
Oh gosh, Okay.
So I had been a Mary Kay salesdirector and a TV host for many
years and after my husbandpassed away, I actually went to
BNI which is business networkingwith Blake and we were on the
same leadership team and he saidwhat are you going to do now
(03:53):
that Gary has passed away, youknow, do you have plans?
One thing led to another and Iagreed to help him with his
marketing part-time Monday,Wednesday, half day Friday and I
think I did that about a monthand then I've been full-time
ever since.
So it's been almost 10 yearsI've been with him now.
So I think we have threeemployees when we started and I
think, as of today, I think wehave 42.
So yeah, so it's been an honorto watch it grow.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
And speaking of that growth you had mentioned, you're
headquartered there in FortMyers, right, but then you
expanded to the beach.
Why Fort Myers Beach?
Speaker 3 (04:28):
We.
It was funny because peoplewould say to us they would call
in and they would go oh, are youon island?
And we'd go, well, no, but itdoesn't really matter where we
are, we can ride in Key West orJacksonville or whatever.
And they'd go, okay, well,thanks.
And these days really, youdon't really go into your
(04:55):
insurance agent and sit downwith them anymore, it's, you
know, it can be done so mucheasier than that.
And they have to go and sit atthe agent's desk.
But they wanted us to be onisland, so it was.
It took us literally years tofind exactly what we were
looking for.
You know, sometimes they, youknow the, the options were way
too big.
Or when we looked at it we went, oh, no, thanks, um, right, and
(05:18):
so, um, it ended up that, um,access title, uh moved into uh,
100 lovers lane, um, there wherethe chamber is actually, and
alex king and so on.
And I happen to be at a at afort myers beach chamber coffee.
I'm the chair of the board forthe fort myers beach chamber and
I happen to be at a Fort MyersBeach Chamber coffee.
I'm the chair of the board forthe Fort Myers Beach Chamber and
I happened to be at a coffeeand one of the gals from Access
(05:40):
Title was there and I wastelling her you know that I was
so distressed trying to findsome place on the beach and she
said well, we have an emptyoffice that we could probably
sublet to you.
And that's really how.
That's how it started.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Wow, interesting and you mentioned it's a very
particular people on the island.
Speaker 3 (05:59):
when they do business with people on the island,
exactly right, even though wewere only like five or six miles
off the island.
They wanted us to be there andI can understand that.
So yeah, but it took us a verylong time to find just the thing
and we just happened to be atthe right place at the right
time to have Access Title bethere and just have that
conversation come up.
So yeah, and we did our ribboncutting, I think 30, no, maybe
(06:23):
28 days before Ian.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
Wow, Crazy.
So talk about challenges.
You know we've all been througha lot of big challenges as of
late, especially, you know, inyour industry, late, especially,
you know, in your industry.
Is there something that youcould kind of look back at now
and you can say you know, it'sone of my prouder moments
through all this and I perseverethan I've come through?
Speaker 3 (06:52):
It was a time for all of us where, at the end of each
day those of us that workedhere at State Insurance I don't
think there was almost a day wedidn't go home and were crying.
I mean it was a very difficulttime, a difficult time for
everyone and of course we didn'treally know exactly how it was
going to work, like first thefield adjuster comes and then
(07:14):
after that, then the fieldadjuster takes his reports back
to the insurance carrier andthen there is a desk adjuster
that's set and how that all goes.
And for us being the liaison, Imean sometimes our clients would
call and say they're notcalling me back, they're not
calling me, and so we would jumpin there and we would try to
(07:36):
help.
But of course, the people nowthat we look back, the people at
the insurance carriers, theywere overwhelmed.
You know this was a naturaldisaster.
This wasn't just somethunderstorm that came through,
you know.
And I think one time we had adisabled veteran that was our
(07:56):
client and he needed hisrefrigerator for his insulin and
we bought him a refrigeratorand had it delivered, and I mean
it was just those kinds ofthings that we just did
everything that we possiblycould to help in any way we
could, and so, and sometimes itwas just to listen.
You know it was a bad time.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
And that's what you know.
Sometimes people need that.
They need the generosity oftheir community and coming
together and helping each other.
And you know it's.
We can plan all we want.
We never plan for somethinglike that.
And when the time does come, weneed to come together.
And you know, thank God forpeople like you that you know
have come and stepped up andhelp build Fort Myers Beach back
(08:37):
to what it was.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
Super proud to watch that happen too.
It's really exciting to see ithappen.
And then speaking along thoselines, fort Myers Beach.
You know, are there certainthings you're involved with to
give back and help support thecommunity in other ways that
maybe we could mention?
Well, obviously, being involvedwith the Chamber Board as many
(09:00):
years as I've been is an honorfor me.
But I can also tell you thatBlake actually donates to two
different local nonprofitorganizations every single month
, and we give back to people onthe beach as well.
I mean whether it's the Friendsof Lovers' Cave or the F&B
Strong.
You know, whatever we've doneour level best and then whenever
(09:24):
we have an event of anymagnitude, we do our best to
have it there.
We've had an event at DiamondHead.
At Pink Shell, atMargaritaville, we're doing our
Christmas party.
We're going to be taking aparty bus from our office and
we're going to take the pontoonfrom Salty Sam's and then we're
(09:47):
going to be having dinner atBonita Bill's.
So I'm sorry, bonita Fish,bonita Fish.
Sorry, joe, I didn't mean tosay Bonita Bills, yeah, Bonita
Fish.
So we'll be doing our dinnerthere and then take the bus back
.
So we try to bring as muchmoney out to the area as what we
can.
Speaker 2 (10:06):
Yeah, and I love that .
And I love where thisrelationship is going as well
too, because, as we mentioned,you're coming on board and
sponsoring a segment that we'regoing to call on this podcast
about community charities andnonprofits and help share their
story to the people outside hereas well too.
So I'm very excited about thatand where we can take that and
raise awareness and really helpreally give back to the
(10:28):
community.
So thank you for that.
Speaker 3 (10:30):
Of course it's an honor to work together, Jim,
Really it is.
Speaker 2 (10:34):
So are you from Southwest Florida originally.
Speaker 3 (10:37):
No, I was born and raised in Michigan, lived north
of Philly for a bit and lived inMinnesota for a few years, and
then I lived in Sarasota when Iwas a little bit younger.
Jeez, it sounds like I wasrunning from the law, doesn't it
?
Actually, my husband's job tookus around a bit.
So no, born and raised inMichigan.
(10:59):
So how about you?
I was born in.
Speaker 2 (11:01):
Wisconsin and grew up in Illinois and got out of
college and said I don't want toshovel snow anymore.
Speaker 3 (11:08):
No, thank you.
Speaker 2 (11:10):
See how smart we are.
I know right.
Speaker 3 (11:13):
And now all our friends want to come visit us,
right?
Yes, they do, we're verypopular down here.
Speaker 2 (11:20):
So are there certain places that you would maybe
suggest to our listeners whenthey do have people come visit,
like we so often do, to takethem to Fort Myers Beach and
share their experience?
Speaker 3 (11:31):
Oh my gosh, absolutely.
I mean, look at the restaurantsthat are up and running now.
I mean you've got NervousNellie's and La Ola and of
course, the Whale's on its wayand the Beach Bar, and you know
it's coming back and it feels sogood.
It feels so good and of coursepeople say, well, you know it
(11:51):
doesn't look the same anymore.
Well, no, it can't.
You know, we've got to bemindful Again.
Go back to the insuranceindustry.
We have to.
You know, we have to be safeand be up to standards and be up
to code and all of that.
So, no, it won't work exactlythe same, probably won't look
the same, but boy, the peopleare still here.
And whether you just go toMojo's and get a cup of coffee
(12:16):
or you know whatever I mean it's, you know it's it still has the
same, still has the same peopleand the same family feel.
Speaker 2 (12:22):
And it's got.
It's got that vibe, it's gotthat.
It's got that vibe, it's gotthat energy and it's nice to
have that back and seeing thenew things sprout up and come
back that we all know and loveso that's exactly right, yep on
your industry.
Do you notice?
Certain things may be changingor trending now because of what
happened no, well, I mean it.
Speaker 3 (12:41):
There was a time when some of the insurance carriers
would say, well, we're just notgoing to write in this zip code
or that zip code or whatever,and it was.
It limited us completely,because I think some of the
insurance carriers might justsay, ok, well, we, you know, we
need a break from that area, abreak from that area, and so uh,
(13:08):
but I can tell you, I, I havemy home policy with frontline
and it actually went down fromfrom when it, when it renewed,
wasn't much went down three orfour hundred dollars.
But hey, I'll take it you know,because, you know before, the
rates are going up and up and upand um.
So no, it actually it decreased.
And so and and they uh, fema,actually also um did where I
live, I live in Estero they wentthrough and did a remapping and
(13:29):
now, all of a sudden, I'm notin an AE zone anymore, now I'm
in an X zone, flood-wise, and soI don't have to carry my flood
insurance.
I'm not dumb, so I still carryit.
But yeah, I mean.
So, yeah, no, I'm not, and wereally in the industry are not
as nervous as what we werebefore.
That's good, that's a goodquestion yeah.
Speaker 2 (13:53):
Yeah because, every time a natural disaster or
something like that comes along,people think oh, there go the
reefs, there we go, yeah.
Speaker 3 (13:59):
There we go.
Speaker 2 (14:00):
But it's good to see things like that coming down.
Speaker 3 (14:02):
It's scary, though.
No-transcript USAA who targetsthe?
(14:29):
I don't mean to say targets,that's not a nice word.
They market to the servicepeople.
Right, they can write for USAA.
Yeah, so this is your option.
So now I've heard that they'reawesome with their claims.
I mean really, really awesome.
But when you're independent andwe have all these different
(14:50):
options, you may say, okay, well, tower Hill won't write this,
but People's Trust will.
Well, people's Trust won'twrite that, but Frontline will,
and so it does give us anadvantage to really help our
clients give them the bestcoverage that they can have.
Speaker 2 (15:06):
Absolutely.
You can find what fits theirneeds exactly and kind of tailor
it and say, hey, this is whatwe have.
This is all you get.
You know, I love that.
So is there one thing that youwish our listeners knew about
State Insurance USA that maybethey wouldn't be too aware of?
Speaker 3 (15:26):
I think it's our heart.
You know, when I'm interviewingpeople, I can teach them skills
not me personally, but my teamleads can teach them skills, but
I can't teach them heart.
And that's the one thing thatwe have that sets us apart.
It's our culture.
It's truly our culture and wereally do the very level best
(15:52):
that we can for our clients.
We really do, and we're thefirst ones to also say you know,
jim, we looked at your stuffand you know what we think.
You should probably just stayright where you are, you know,
and so that's who we are andthat is what I'm most proud of
working for Blake and workingfor this agency, yeah.
Speaker 2 (16:14):
I love it.
I love it.
You know, and again, weappreciate everything you guys
do with the community.
How would our listeners goabout contacting you if they
wanted to learn more or had somequestions?
If?
Speaker 3 (16:23):
they wanted to learn more or had some questions.
You can either call us at239-567-9992.
That's our main number, or youcan go to stateinsuranceusa.
com or our Facebook page, and soState Insurance USA is our full
name and that's how you'll getus.
Speaker 2 (16:46):
But yeah, we'd be happy to help anybody that we
can.
Very good Any last words forour listeners today.
Speaker 3 (16:50):
I thank you, jim, for what you're doing with this
podcast, and I know that it'sgoing to be a great thing for
our community and I thank youfor doing that.
Speaker 2 (16:59):
Yeah, and I appreciate your support and your
help and I'm looking forward towhere our podcast goes.
Speaker 3 (17:08):
That sounds great, We'll go from here right, that's
it.
Speaker 2 (17:09):
That's it.
Thank you for being such a goodneighbor and we'll see you at
the beach soon.
Speaker 3 (17:12):
All right, thanks, jim, bye, bye.
Speaker 1 (17:15):
Thanks for tuning in to the Fort Myers Beach Good
Neighbor podcast, wherecommunity meets paradise.
If you love what you heard,share it with a friend and keep
the good vibes going Until nexttime.
Stay sunny, stay salty and keepbeing a good neighbor.
Also, to nominate your favoriteneighbors, local legends,
heroes or island businesses tobe on the show, go to cabo wabo
gymcom.
(17:35):
That's cabo wabo gymcom.
Or call 239-427-4100.
We want to send out some islandlove to eric tibbs from edward
jones, state insurance usa andhome welfare services fort myers
.
They are the businesses thatallow us to share the soul of
our community with everylistener, from local stories to
the positive vibe of island life.
Here's to celebrating all thatmakes Fort Myers Beach the slice
(17:56):
of paradise we all love.
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