Happy Valentine's Day! Hope you and your family are doing well this February. It’s time for a quick check-in from the team with tips, info, and a round-up of articles from around the web that you’ll find helpful this time of year.

In this month’s newsletter: National Children’s Dental Health Month, a Super Bowl-themed Just for Smiles, around the office, and the “wordle” on the most-searched word of 2022. 

Winter weather can be tough on your car. And while I’m no mechanic, people often ask if warming up a car is necessary this time of year. Here's what you need to know:

First things first: Warming your car is not necessary for the engine. Modern vehicles are designed to be driven almost immediately after starting, even in cold weather. In fact, letting your car idle for an extended period of time can lead to excess fuel consumption and increased wear and tear.

However, there are a few reasons why you might want to let your car idle for a few minutes before driving:

To clear the windows: If your windows are frosted over, it can be helpful to let your car idle for a few minutes to give the heater a chance to clear the windows. You can achieve the same result by using a scraper and a little elbow grease.

To warm up the cabin of the car: If you want to warm up the inside, it’s fine to let the car idle for a few minutes. Just be sure to turn it off if you get held up for longer than expected. 

One more important note: Letting your car idle on the street or driveway can make it a target for theft. If you decide to leave the car on while you’re not in it, be sure you have the fob with you at all times and keep the vehicle in view when inside your home if possible. 

Drive safe, buckle up, and, as always, if you have any questions about your auto insurance this winter, don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to help you keep your car running safely and smoothly, no matter the weather.

We’ve rounded up several articles from around the web that are particularly relevant for this time of year. Enjoy! 

• As if February doesn’t creep along slow as molasses, now your Wi-Fi is doing the same. Find out how to increase your speed in these 10 simple steps.
• Motivated to do some pre-pre-spring cleaning? Then you’ll want to check out the 33 best bathroom cleaning hacks of all time from Apartment Therapy.
• The Academy Awards are coming up on March 12. While you wait to see who wins, see the latest not-to-miss movies released in January 2023.
• Want to know what people searched online most in 2022? Google is here with their 2022 Year in Search. 

• February is Black History Month. Be sure to keep an eye and ear out for local events celebrating the rich history and contributions of the Black community in our area. You may also want to stop by the library for one of these new releases by Black authors.
• February is also National Children's Dental Health Month. If you’ve got kids, grandkids, or other kids you love, here’s the definitive answer on how and when they need to start brushing for optimal dental health.
• Saturday, February 4, is World Cancer Day — an annual, global event to raise awareness about cancer and encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment. Read the latest recommendations for cancer screenings to ensure you and your loved ones are on top of your health this February.
• Valentine’s Day is Tuesday, February 14, and Taco Tuesday probably won’t cut it with your significant other. To help, here are 25 fancy (but easy) dinner recipes to try at home.
• Monday, February 17, is National Personal Finance Day. A great way to mark the day? Take this personal finance well-being quiz from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
• Wednesday, February 22, is National Supermarket Employee Day. You know you’ve got a favorite. Say thanks with a smile (or a Starbucks gift card) to the person who makes your grocery runs a little more enjoyable.

Professional liability insurance, also called errors and omissions insurance (E&O insurance) or indemnity insurance, safeguards your company in the event of a lawsuit for negligently providing services, regardless of whether a mistake was made.

Who benefits from professional liability insurance?

Any professional who provides a service, expertise, or advice to clients for a fee can benefit from coverage against liability lawsuits. Even with quality employees and risk management practices in place, people still make mistakes. A general liability policy may not cover mistakes that could be made. Professional liability insurance will protect your business and its finances if such an event arises. READ MORE >>

The CC&C Consulting Group, LLC. is a certified minority emerging women-owned educational support service business. It provides post-secondary, financial aid and scholarship literacy to directly address the rapid decline in undergraduate enrollment throughout the country. 

Through high energy and engaging workshops, community training, school parent nights, and assisting small businesses to establish their own scholarship program, CC&C Consulting Group is determined to empower and support our local high schools and student-based organizations. 

One of their most rewarding programs is The Scholarship Plug. Located in Lauderhill, Florida. This non-profit organization hosts a space for students to access technology, tools, and experienced professional College Advisors that help students apply for college, financial aid, essays, and scholarships. CC&C is proud to be the action behind the traction. By providing the staffing, training, and day-to-day operation management on behalf of the organization. 

The Team and its Culture. 

“It’s not the what for us, it’s the who! How we hire drives our outcomes. We care.” Mrs. Casseus Parnther said when asked what the goal is for their team. The company culture promotes staff who sincerely value each of our students, parents, educators, and local small businesses with care and attention. Her vision for our team is to be happy. By providing continuing education, acknowledging their worth and compensating them for their talents, and equipping them to be the best that they can be while enjoying the growth of the business.

“Having an insurance policy is one thing, being a client of University Insurance Group is another! They had us at University ha ha ha. It just makes sense.” Mrs. Casseus Parnther said when asked how their experience and insurance policy with UIG helps the organization. 

“The staff at University Insurance Group have been phenomenal. In 2018, I was a new business owner in the Education support service space and like any new business owner, I didn't realize all of the requirements needed to contract with the state and local agencies. The process felt overwhelming but with the help of my trusted insurance agents, they made it one less item on the checklist to worry about. We can honestly say that even today 5 years later, I can make a call to UIG and get my questions answered, and obtain the necessary documents that I need to comfortably seal the deal. We take pride in our team and we are proud to have University Insurance Group as part of our business team. It's teammates like UIG that allow small businesses like ours to grow. Thank you for all your unconditional support, care, and great rates UIG!” she added. 

More about the Founder. 

Mrs. Casseus Parnther is a reputable and well-respected college and scholarship advisor, producer, author, and owner of a certified minority emerging small business in South Florida called CC&C Consulting Group. She is also the founder of a 501c3 non-profit organization, the Scholarship Plug which received a Broward County proclamation in 2020 which officially claimed July 25th to be The Scholarship Plug Day!

Shedly is dedicated to helping students and families realize that a quality college education is attainable despite the stigma it gets around affordability. Commonly known by her students as “The Scholarship Plug,” her program encourages students to apply to as many scholarships through her 100-scholarship challenge, in addition, the scholarship plug brings awareness to students, parents, and educators about available scholarships, student financial aid programs, career opportunities, college entrance exams, community events and more. Shedly does this through her books, social media, community workshops, and advisor trainings. 

Learn more about CC&C, The Scholarship Plug, and Mrs. Casseus Parnther here: 

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As always, if you have any insurance needs, questions, or concerns, please reach out.

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