Insurance company racing to new Port Orange location

Jim Allender, a thoroughbred racehorse owner and breeder, also is the owner of Sherzer and Associates Insurance in South Daytona. However, the city location changed Oct. 24. After 45 years, the business will move to 3853 S. Nova Road in Port Orange.

"We are thrilled for Jim Allender and his entire team at Sherzer Insurance as they invest in the growth of Port Orange," said Barbara Ann Heegan, president and CEO of the Port Orange South Daytona Chamber of Commerce. "We take great pride in our entrepreneurial members who are innovative and committed to creating beautiful office spaces investing locally where both customers and staff can thrive and in turn our entire community grows. We wish them immense success as they continue to build on their rich legacy."

Mr. Allender bought Sherzer in 2008 from Marvin Sherzer at the South Daytona location at 2305 S. Ridgewood Ave. Originally called Mr. Auto in 1979, Mr. Sherzer grew the business into multiple office locations around the country. Upon retiring, he sold his offices to Mr. Allender.

Mr. Allender and his family moved to Volusia County from the Fort Myers area. He said "We have clients that have been here longer than I have owned the agency. You build a lot of long-term relationships. You know their families. He (Mr. Sherzer) wanted somebody to have that passion. "It is time (to move). We have tripled the business. We have about 6, 500 clients. We have eight agents. I have another office in Fort Myers with my sister (a Sherzer office). I have a partner in the Apopka area with an agency called Numero Uno."

They have just outgrown the South Daytona office. He wanted more space and a newer environment. Also, the building rental rates kept climbing and repairs were needed throughout the plaza. He likes the idea of being in the heart of Port Orange and stated the employees are excited about coming to Port Orange as well. However, he stated he will "still be plugged into South Daytona, because I live there."

Sherzer is an independent insurance agency that represents many top insurance carriers in Florida. "We date but we are not married to any one carrier," he said.

Insurance products include personal and commercial. Specifically business insurance, property insurance and vehicle insurance. The latter includes motorcycles, ATVs and RVs. Any type of home may be insured.

As to the cost of insurance Mr. Allender said, "Insurance is a big problem here in the State of Florida. We have had a lot of fraud. Your big carriers have gotten so limited on what they will write down here. The last couple of years six or seven companies went belly up, which puts more burden on the other companies. What people don't understand is the state actually sets rates. Flood policies are separate policies."

Scott Daraio is a contractor helping get the new office ready. He is also a client and has been for at least 20 years. He said the services provided "Are great. No problems at all."

Mr. Allender and his wife, Lyndsey, and two sons, Blake and Will. Both boys are competitive swimmers.

They attend Tomoka Christian Church. Besides a love of horses, he also owns rental houses. He is the board president of the Presbyterian Counseling Center. Lyndsey Allender is a partner in a company called Sharewear.

Mr. Allender said he is a regular guy proud to be from a blue-collar working-class family. "We are very people oriented, but we work and show up and do what we are supposed to do."