Bailey Insurance News

Meet Gus

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 01:10:34 GMT

Gus is a 2 year old black Labrador Retriever owned by Chuck Spaulding, President of the Bailey Agency. He was born in Cobleskill, NY at Four Seasons Labradors. As his breed name implies, he is a retriever. His favorite toys are Frisbees, tennis balls and elk horns.

Some Labradors are very active, but Gus has been relaxed since he was a puppy. Can you tell he’s the one in the middle?

As he gets older, he gets a bit excited about bird watching. This is his excited look!

He spends as much time as possible swimming at Murray Island on the St. Lawrence River in the summer.

In the winter, he loves romping through the snow. Here is a picture on his 2^nd birthday.

Gus has also been working on his office manners! On Fridays, you may see him at the 18 Tompkins Street office. Gus’ attitude about life has earned him a place to hang out at the Bailey Agency!

When you stop by the office, be sure to ask if Gus is working today! Otherwise, when you contact us through the website or by phone or email, be sure to say Gus sent you!

Meet Maggie

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 21:10:00 GMT

Maggie belongs to Hope Cross, Operations Manager at the George B. Bailey Agency. Maggie was born in Bethune South Carolina. She is a 3 year old West Highland White Terrier a.k.a Westie.

Here are some of her first pictures.

A while later and she was ALL ears!

Being born in the South, you’d think Maggie would not like the snow, but she loves it! Here’s a picture during her first winter. Yes...she is beginning to grow into her ears!

Maggie’s favorite things are food, toys, treats, long walks, snacks, a nap in the sunshine, followed with a before dinner appetizer! Are you sensing a theme here?

This is Maggie after a long walk in the park. Note...her ears are no longer out of porportion.

The love of Maggie's life is Chopper the Travelers Insurance Company K-9!

See video of Chopper.

And remember, when you contact our office for a insurance quote be sure to tell them Maggie sent you!

Bye for now...

Things to Keep in Mind When Buying a Car

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:32:21 GMT

Buying a new car is an exciting time - but it can also be stressful. After all, you're trying to get the best deal on price, while also deciding on the make, model and features you need.

We can't really help you become a master negotiator when it comes to buying a car. But we can give you some things to consider when you're looking around the lot - and when you're trying to answer the age-old question of "new, or used?"

Now, the new vs. used argument is pretty well documented - with people usually staunchly in one camp or the other - and you probably already know what side you're on. But read on with an open mind, and you might just come to a different decision the next time you’re on the car lot.

New cars

Ah, that new-car smell. It's a bit of a cliché, but it's one of the things that people love about climbing into a brand-new car. And while they make air fresheners that supposedly give you that same smell for your used car, it just doesn't seem the same, does it? Still, there are other benefits to buying new - and, of course, there are drawbacks as well.

PRO - Choices: When you buy new, you get to choose your color and the exact features you want. From spoilers to sunroofs to leather seats and stereo systems, you can customize your car to best fit you.
PRO - Maintenance: Some manufacturers offer free scheduled maintenance for a set period of time after you buy the car, and you likely won't need a new battery, tires, etc., for several years after your purchase.
PRO - Peace of Mind: Your new car may have a warranty for up to 10 years, and also is covered by "lemon laws" that could allow for a replacement or refund if the car has serious defects.
CON - Cost: Depending on the make and model, buying a new car is almost always more expensive (at least in terms of the purchase price) than a used car.

It's also worth noting that if you purchase a new car in its first model year (meaning it's a new model for the automaker), there won't be many user reviews available, and data on reliability and repairs will be limited. In addition, sometimes newly introduced cars have some kinks that generally are ironed out by the second and third model years. These aren't necessarily serious issues, and the warranty should cover them, but in some instances, you and your car could be headed to the shop more than you'd like.

Used Cars

Don't care about the new-car smell? Looking to save some money on your purchase? Well, a used car might be right for you. There are many advantages to buying used, but you'll want to be a little more careful. After all, it's hard to know exactly how well the previous owner treated the car. But you can limit your risk with a little bit of work.

PRO - Choices: While you won't necessarily get to customize your used car, you likely can find a pretty good fit. There are lots of used cars out there.
PRO - Cost: New cars depreciate quickly after they're purchased. By buying used, you're letting someone else take that financial hit over the first few years of the life of the car.
PRO/CON - Reliability: Buying a used car is less of a gamble than it used to be, particularly with the advent of "certified pre-owned" programs many automakers now offer. However, used cars generally don't carry the same warranties as new cars, even though the original manufacturer's warranty is usually transferable to a second owner.
CON - Maintenance: While a used car theoretically shouldn't need more frequent maintenance than a new car, you'll likely need to replace things like tires, headlights, etc., earlier. And scheduled maintenance probably isn't covered by the automaker.
PRO/CON - History: You'll need to check the car's title history to make sure it hasn't been in a serious accident or salvaged. Ask the dealership to provide this information, usually from Carfax.

Of course, whichever car you purchase, the important thing is that it's a good fit for you. Bear in mind that certain makes and models can result in higher car insurance costs for you, so feel free to check in with us before you buy.

Have fun shopping - and we'll see you on the road!

Christmas Cookies

Linda Rehbein — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 17:24:10 GMT

It was just an ordinary day at the office when I received a phone call that would affect my plans for the coming week. The YWCA called and asked I bake 3 to 4 dozen cookies and “please include a list of ingredients.“ I looked at my calendar, didn’t see any reason why not, and said of course. The woman said I was an angel. That lead me to believe she has had more than one refusal.

Now I am not a beginner in the kitchen and baking is one of my favorite hobbies. I just have never leaned toward the Christmas cookie tradition. Seems like a lot of work to me, and they mostly taste the same, just different shapes and colors. Don’t get me wrong. I truly admire the cook that makes these beautiful cookies.

The internal mind-game starts with should I cheat with a Betty Crocker mix or do as my mother would do. After all I am still working full time and evenings don’t always prove to be that productive. So I buy 2 mixes: sugar and M&M cookie mix. Two dozen cookies each in 20 minutes.

I get the kitchen ready for baking. The oak dining room table has the pads on it with cooling racks, etc. Very Paula Dean style.

I have always wondered about M&M cookies. I know M&Ms are not supposed to melt in your hand, but what about a 375-degree oven. Well, I wonder no more. They melt! So my baked M&M cookies did not even resemble the picture on the package.

I am not one to quit. So I try the sugar cookies. I have a choice of rolling out the dough and making the cute little Christmas shapes or I can choose drop cookies. In my several errands after work, I forgot to buy cookie cutters, so it looks like drop cookies win. Now, I did remember to buy red and green sprinkles and a glittery gel that I can use to decorate my sugar cookies. This is when the rubber hits the road.

The cookies look fine coming out of the oven – nothing special. So I sprinkle little round red & green balls on the warm cookies. They don’t seem to stick. Now they are rolling all around the cookie sheet, and of course on the floor. OK that kind of decoration isn’t working. I am thinking the YWCA is going to be receiving some very serious Christmas cookies and these are not looking so great.

I get out the tubes of colored gel. I begin to draw Christmas trees on the sugar cookies with the gel. Then to be very creative, I put tiny red dots on the green trees to resemble Christmas balls hanging on a Christmas tree. A mediocre effect to say the least.

My next thought is I have to pack these cookies in a tin for delivery. I let the gelled cookies set for an hour. To my dismay, the gel is the same consistency as when I took the extra time to place these little red dots on the green trees. Oh, well, we can eat these at home. I place them in a Ziploc plastic bag. The gel sticks to the inside top of the bag and they are just hanging there.

This is not fatal. I still need cookies tomorrow for the YWCA “with a list of ingredients, please”. I get my mother’s cookie recipes, the mixer, and get busy.

All went very smoothly from this point on. I became very, very organized. A necessary point when you have a small, efficient kitchen. I am going to bake Mom’s peanut butter cookies and her delicious fresh apple cookies. Neither of these are identified as Christmas cookies. I quickly ran to the grocery store for Reese’s peanut butter cups to insert in my peanut butter cookies.

I started putting ingredients in the bowl, chopping nuts and apples, sifting flour, measuring spices, and had a constant flow of cookies going in and coming out of the oven. On to the cooling racks in the dining room, and frosting on the warm cookies. I could hear crunching on the floor as I went back and forth between the two rooms.

The cookies turned out well, and as I took out the last batch, I looked at my kitchen - really looked at my kitchen. There was cookie dough on the toaster, microwave, and floor along with the rolling red and green balls. What a disaster area.

My day ended with a warm feeling that I had done the right thing. My house smelled of cinnamon and peanut butter. My dog who is usually at my feet cleared out a long time ago. She was nowhere in sight. I think she left when the rolling red and green balls hit the floor.

Bottom line, the YWCA has 4 dozen cookies with a list of ingredients, a dozen to the office and several for the family. I did the right thing and now I need to replace that bottle of wine.

If you like this installment of Linda’s Stories of Life, leave a message here or send her an email at lrehbein@baileyagency.com.

Is Your Home Energy Efficient?

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 20:35:24 GMT

Drafty windows. Leaky faucets. Dirty air filters.

All are common issues here in New York, and they’re not only annoying – they also cost you money in decreased energy efficiency and higher utility bills.

Would you like to save $200 to $400 a year on your energy costs? That’s how much the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program estimates that homeowners can save by incorporating technologies to make their homes operate more efficiently.

Of course, helping to protect you and your family is our goal at the Bailey Insurance Agency, and keeping your home well-maintained usually means your home will be safer as well. Those are goals we all should share. Several of the tips below from the National Association of Home Builders will help you accomplish both.

Do a home-energy audit

Making your home more efficient can seem like an overwhelming task. But “auditing” your energy efficiency is something you can do yourself, and it’s relatively simple. This will show you where your home loses energy, how efficient your heating and cooling systems are, and ways you can decrease your electricity use.

Where’s the air? Air commonly “leaks” from homes through gaps around baseboards, electrical outlets and windows or doors. Stopping these drafts can save up to 30 percent of your yearly energy costs. Be sure to check your home’s exterior as well, paying particular attention to areas where two different building materials meet. When you find leaks, seal them with caulk or weather stripping.
Don’t wait … insulate! Check to see if the amount of insulation in the ceiling and walls is sufficient. Your attic door should be insulated and close tightly. For walls, make a small hole in a closet or other inconspicuous place and probe into the wall with a screwdriver – the area should be completely filled with insulation.
Do a systems check. Efficient heating and cooling systems can save you frustration as well as money. Make sure ducts and pipes are insulated properly, and have your equipment checked and cleaned by a professional each year. Filters for forced-air furnaces should be replaced as soon as they are dirty, or every 30 to 60 days.
Let there be (efficient) light. Lighting can account for up to 20 percent of your home’s total electricity use, so consider bulbs that last longer and use less energy.

The only thing left to do after you complete your audit (and make any necessary changes)? Figuring out how to spend the money you’ll save each year!

Save some more energy by letting us help you with your insurance needs!

We are here waiting for you! Contact Us.

Cyber Monday Safety Tips from Microsoft

Hope Cross — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 19:21:00 GMT

The Monday following the Friday after Thanksgiving Day is the seond busiest online shopping day of the year in the United States.

For the millions of shoppers worldwide expected to shop online Cyber Monday, Microsoft shared the following security tips to keep their transactions and information safe:

1. Defend your computer with updated firewall, antivirus, and antispyware software and password-protect your wireless connection at home.

2. Create strong passwords for all online accounts, particularly those used for banking or shopping. A strong password is at least eight characters long and includes letters, numbers and symbols.

3. Look for signs that the website protects your data. On the web page where you enter your credit card or other personal information, look for an "s" after http in the web address of that page (as shown below). (Encryption is a security measure that scrambles data as it traverses the Internet.) Also make sure there is a tiny closed padlock in the address bar, or on the lower right corner of the window.

4. Never make online financial transactions on a public or shared computer.

5. Consider the reputation of the company or website from which you buy. Sites like Epinions.com or BizRate have customer evaluations which can help you determine a company's legitimacy. Look for third-party seals of approval from organizations like the Better Business Bureau or TRUSTe

6. Be cautious about storing your password, address, and credit card data on websites.

7. Give only enough information to make the purchase - be wary if a merchant asks for additional information like bank account information, social security number, etc.

8. Choose a safe way to pay like a credit or charge card that offers cardholder protection, or a payment service like PayPal, which shields your credit card number from sellers.

9. Print or save a copy of your order, including the confirmation number or e-mail message, as your receipt.

Shopping Safety Tips for the Holidays and All Year Long

Hope Cross — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 16:57:00 GMT

Shopping during the holiday season can present unique danger. Taking a few prevention measures can help keep your holiday season joyous.

The holiday season is a time when busy people can become careless and vulnerable to theft and other holiday crime. The following tips can help you be more careful, prepared and aware during the holiday season.

• Shop during daylight hours whenever possible. If you must shop at night, go with a friend or family member.

• Dress casually and comfortably.

• Avoid wearing expensive jewelry.

• Do not carry a purse or wallet, if possible.

• Always carry your Driver License or Identification Card along with necessary cash, checks and/or a credit card you expect to use.

• Stay alert to your surroundings even though you are rushed and thinking about a thousand things.

• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash.

• Pay for purchases with a check or credit card when possible.

• Keep cash in your front pocket.

• Notify the credit card issuer immediately if your credit card is lost, stolen or misused.

• Keep a record of all of your credit card numbers in a safe place at home.

• Be extra careful if you do carry a wallet or purse. They are the prime targets of criminals in crowded shopping areas, parking areas, bus stops, and on buses.

• Avoid overloading yourself with packages. It is important to have clear visibility and freedom of motion to avoid mishaps.

• Beware of strangers approaching you for any reason. At this time of year, "con-artists" may try various methods of distracting you with the intention of taking your money or belongings.

Your homeowner or renter policy will have some coverage for theft. The best time to check on this coverage is before something happens.

Please contact us for more information.

Thanksgiving 2011 Bailey Recipes

Hope Cross — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 21:07:04 GMT

In honor of Thanksgiving our staff has shared some of their favorite Thanksgiving recipes. I suspect if you are at all like me, you’ll want some or all of them fixed for you right now! Yum!

Brittany’s Stuffed Turkey Breast

I made this stuffed turkey breast recipe last Thanksgiving. It was really delicious, but most importantly I think the stuffing for the turkey breast is amazing, even without the turkey!

Ingredients

2 tablespoons Butter
1 medium onion, diced
1 stalk celery, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
2 cups cubed and dried cornbread
1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted
1/3 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 boneless, turkey breast half, about 3 pounds
2 tablespoons Canola oil
Fresh thyme and sage, for garnish
Kosher Salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Heat 2 tablespoons canola oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add onions and celery and sauté until soft and translucent. Add garlic and garlic and cook for an additional 2 minutes, until fragrant. Add the fresh herbs, cornbread, pecans, cranberries and chicken broth, stirring well with a wooden spoon to fully incorporate. Let flavors marry together and warm on the stovetop for 2-3 minutes. Season stuffing with salt and freshly ground pepper. Remove from heat and let chill slightly.

Carefully remove the skin from the breast of the turkey, being careful not to tear. Place turkey breast, skin side up on a cutting board. Holding a knife parallel to work surface, slice through the breast, almost in half, without cutting it all the way through. Open the breast like a book.

Lay the turkey between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound out using a meat mallet, to an even thickness, about ½ to ¾ inch thick. Remove turkey from plastic wrap, season with salt and pepper, and spread stuffing evenly across the turkey breast, leaving a 3/4 inch border all around the edges.

Roll the turkey breast over the stuffing, creating a uniform log. Do not roll too tight or the stuffing will fall out. Wrap the skin around the breast, hiding the seam of the log. Use kitchen twine to tie and secure the shape, while keeping the stuffing intact. Season the outside of the turkey with salt and pepper.

Roast until a thermometer inserted to the stuffing registers 155 degrees, about 45 minutes. Remove from oven and let rest, tented with foil, for 15 minutes. The temperature should reach 165 after resting. Trim kitchen twine and slice. Garnish with fresh herbs.

Gale’s Sweet Potoato Casserole

3 cups cooked mashed sweet potatoes

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

1/3 cup milk

1 stick butter

1 cup brown sugar

Beat together with electric mixer.

Topping

1/3 cup flour

1/3 cup margarine

1 cup chopped walnuts

Bake at 350 degrees for approx. 30 minutes.

Amanda’s Favorite is Green Bean Casserole!

1 (10 3/4 oz.) can CAMPBELL'S® Cream of Mushroom Soup

3/4 cup milk

1/8 tsp. black pepper

2 (9 oz. each) pkgs. frozen cut green beans, thawed*

1 1/3 cups FRENCH'S® Original or Cheddar French Fried Onions

Directions

MIX soup, milk and pepper in a 1 1/2 -qt. baking dish. Stir in beans and 2/3 cup French Fried Onions.

BAKE at 350°F for 30 min. or until hot.

STIR. Top with remaining 2/3 cup onions. Bake 5 min. until onions are golden.

BUT - instead of Cream of Mushroom soup we use Cream of Potato and canned green beans instead of frozen!

Jessica’s Favorite is Dutch Apple Pie!

Ingredients

1 your favorite homemade pie crust or 1 ready-made pie crust

5 1/2 cups peeled cored sliced baking apples *see examples below

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar, packed

3 tablespoons flour

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Topping

3/4 cup flour

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar, packed

1/3 cup butter or 1/3 cup margarine, room temperature

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Fit pie crust into pie plate.

In a large bowl, mix sliced apples, lemon juice, both sugars, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Pile into crust.

Prepare topping:.

In a medium bowl, with a pastry blender or a fork, mix flour, both sugars, and butter until coarsely crumbled.

Sprinkle evenly over apples.

Bake at 375°F for 50 minutes.

Baking Apples:
Rome Beauty (Queen of the bakers because cooking accentuates its flavor)
Golden Delicious (holds its shape well, unlike Red Delicious which should not be used for baking)
Granny Smith (tart and tangy)
Cortland (good sweet tart balance)
Pippin (good sweet tart balance)
Winesap (tangy, winelike)

Chuck's Mashed Buttercup Squash

Cut buttercup squash in half.

Scrape out seeds.

Place squash face down in Pyrex baking dish that has been sprayed with Pam.

Bake for 1 hour in oven at 350 degrees or until outer skin is soft.

Scrape out squash from skin.

Mash squash with butter, salt & pepper, and a dash of cinnamon & nutmeg.

Last but not least, the most important recipe:

A HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Ingredients: a pinch of hope

a dash of peace

a heaping mound of love

as many family & friends as you can find

Mix well. Enjoy!

Make Sure Your Home is Ready for Winter

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:05:04 GMT

Summer has ended, but there’s no need to fret: Fall brings with it crisp, cool days, wonderful colors — and football season!

It also brings with it a few maintenance tasks that the Bailey Insurance Agency recommends to help ensure your home is ready for fall and winter weather in New York.

Check out the following information for some general tips from the National Association of Home Builders, and don’t hesitate to call us if you have questions about what your home insurance policy covers.

Exterior maintenance

Gutters: Leaves, pine needles and other material can clog your gutters in the fall, preventing proper drainage and raising the risk of water damage to your walls, foundation, basement or landscaping. Remove all debris from your gutters and consider installing one of the many available gutter guard systems — it could be the last time you have to worry about clogged gutters.
Trees: Weak trees and branches can break and cause damage to your home, car or even someone walking on your property (the latter is a good reason to consider a personal umbrella insurance policy). Watch out for large dead or detached branches, as well as cracks or rotten wood along trunks and major branches. If there are potential hazards, call a professional tree service.
Roof: Damaged or loose shingles, as well as gaps where roofing or siding meets vents and flues, can mean emergency (and expensive) repairs later. Being proactive is the best way to avoid problems — if you see signs of damage, you’ll want to call a professional roofer.
Walls: The exterior walls of your home keep the weather out — so you’ll want to make sure they’re up to the challenge of of a New York winter. Look for possible damage or decay on siding and trim, and patch or replace pieces if necessary.

Interior maintenance

Insulation: Check the insulation in your attic, basement and crawl spaces, and insulate pipes in those spaces to protect against freezing.
Pipes: Nobody wants to deal with a frozen pipe, so wrap exposed ones with heating tape every winter and keep your home above 65 degrees. Always check for cracks and leaks. And know where the main water shut-off is in your home so you can act quickly if there is a problem.
Heating: It’s a good idea to have your heating systems (furnace, fireplace, water heater, etc.) serviced every year.

A little action on your part now can make fall and winter a lot more enjoyable for you and your family.

For further questions and assistance, please contact our office.

Understanding Identity Theft

Staff — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 14:10:57 GMT

Your identity belongs to you. Here are some suggestions from the Bailey Insurance Agency to help you protect it.

In addition to purchasing insurance which will respond if something does happen, a smart and effective way to protect yourself against identity theft is to prevent it. If your identity is stolen, you'll be able to lessen problems by acting quickly, whether you live in New York state or elsewhere.

Start with Good Habits

Print out a copy of this page and store it in a convenient place
Leave your Social Security card at home in a safe place
Shred papers with personal information
Reduce your credit card accounts, and only carry the cards you need
Write checks with a permanent pen, and mail from a secure place
Photocopy both sides of your credit cards and store safely

Watch Your Accounts Closely

Review balances and transactions often by phone or online
Make sure every transaction on your credit card statements is accurate
Take advantage of free credit reports and watch for unusual activity
Sign up with Experian, Transunion, and Equifax and stagger your requests to get a free credit report every four months or sign up for credit watch services which will report directly to you for a fee

Fill Out the FTC Affidavit Quickly

The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) Theft Affidavit supplies proof that you didn't authorize any accounts opened or debts run up by the identity thief
New accounts need this FTC affidavit form to investigate the fraud and process your claim
Call your existing accounts for instructions on disputing unauthorized charges as other forms may be needed
Keep originals of the affidavit, as well as all supporting materials such as driver's license or police report. Send copies only.
Send quickly - many creditors request that you send the affidavit within two weeks

Keep This Information Handy:

Federal Trade Commission:
1-877-438-4338
www.consumer.gov/idtheft
www.ftc.gov

Social Security Administration
Fraud Line: 1-800-269-0271

Credit Reporting Agencies
Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
www.equifax.com

Experian: 1-888-397-3742
www.experian.com

Transunion: 1-800-680-7289
www.transunion.com

Identity Theft Plan of Action

Call your credit card companies immediately. Explain what happened, and ask where to send a copy of the police report.
Call and report to the police. Make several copies of the police report.
Complete a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Theft Affidavit and FTC report (see contact information above to request these forms).
Call your bank. They can place an alert on your Driver's License number and Social Security Number, and freeze your account.
Call fraud units of credit report agencies: Experian, Equifax, and Transunion.
Notify your property insurance carrier. You may have Identity Theft coverage built in to your policy or you may have purchased additional coverage that will help in response to the theft.

Take the time to educate yourself on identity theft, and please don't hesitate to seek the help of professionals when needed. For more information, contact us today.