Bailey Insurance News

Be Safe on Your Motorcycle

Hope Cross — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:57:43 GMT

To stay safe on streets of the Dryden, Cortland and Ithaca area, you need the right skills to control your ride, and the best safety equipment just in case something happens. The Bailey Insurance Agency cares about your safety – so keep these helpful tips in mind when you ride:

When You Ride, Be Prepared and Protected

Update your Policy when You Update Your Equipment
Make sure each piece of equipment is listed on your motorcycle insurance policy. Any time you buy new leathers or safety equipment or customize your bike, contact us and let our team make sure your coverage is current before you head out on the streets.
Training Saves Lives
Smart riders are safe riders – that’s why many states encourage riders to take classes and improve their riding skills. Riders who attend safe riding courses may also qualify for insurance discounts. First in Rider Safety Training - First MSP, in Groton has a NYS Motorcycle Safety Program. Contact FirstMSP at (607) 898-3339...or contact us to find out more!

A motorcycle rider not wearing a helmet is 40% more likely to sustain a fatal head injury in a crash than a rider without a helmet.* Buy a full-face helmet for the best protection for your head and eyes. Wear other protective gear as well: heavy leather or synthetic gloves, long pants and jacket, and over-the-ankle leather boots.
Be Visible – In a Crash, the SUV Wins
When cars and motorcycles collide, it’s usually because the driver of the car never saw the motorcyclist. With more and bigger cars on the road, you need to take extra steps to become more visible. Use your headlamps – both night and day – and wear yellow, red or orange jackets to make yourself easy to see. Make a point of positioning yourself in your lane for visibility when out on the streets.
Ride sober!
Driving impaired is more deadly for cyclists than other drivers. In fact, more than half of all motorcycle deaths occur when the rider has been drinking.*

* Source: NHSA's Traffic Safety report on Motorcycles.

Contact us today!

To get a quote to insure your motorcycle or for further questions and assistance, please contact us.

Dryden office 607-844-8626 or Cortland office (607) 756-2805

~ Be safe, have fun, and wear a helmet ~

Boat Insurance Basics

Hope Cross — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 15:14:39 GMT

Your boat could be one of the more expensive purchases you’ll make, right after your home and cars. So, although boat insurance is not always mandatory, it is important to get your ducks in a row before your launch.

Let’s first tackle the question of whether you need a separate insurance policy for your boat. If your boat is small and has limited or no power, the chances are that your homeowner insurance policy will afford you all the protection you need, although you may need to modify, or endorse, your homeowner policy to allow for the value of the boat. Check with us to be sure.

A typical homeowner policy includes liability protection for small boats with horsepower for only modest speeds. Some examples of boats like this include canoes, small sail boats and small motor boats. Your homeowner policy will also provide some insurance for damage or loss to the boat, motor and trailer. In most cases the amount of protection will be limited.

A Boat or Watercraft Policy may be for you if you need more protection for your basic boating property and need to cover other equipment like navigation or communication equipment, fishing gear, or boat covers. You may also need a Boat Policy if your boat is larger or is capable of speeds in excess of 25 mph

A Boat Policy combines a number of different kinds of coverage including:

Liability and Medical Payments
Uninsured Boater
Theft, Physical Loss or Damage to the hull, machinery, fittings, furnishings and permanently attached equipment.
Towing and Assistance while on the water.

Your homeowner policy may not provide adequate protection for Jet Skis and Wave Runners so you should look into a separate policy, often called a Personal Water Craft Policy (PWC).

There is more variation in boat policies offered by insurance companies than there is for auto insurance, even though the types of coverage are similar. This variation also extends to the area of discounts.

Discounts may apply for:

Lay Up Periods
New Boats
Burglar Alarms
Depth Finder
GPS
Coast Guard Approved Fire Extinguishers
Boater Safety Courses (http://www.usps.org) There are courses in April in Johnson City, Dewitt, and Camillus. Get signed up soon!
Ship-to-Shore Radio
Multiple policies with the same insurance company (e.g., Auto, Home)

Insurance companies will take into account the size and type of boat, its value, and where the boat sails when determining the conditions and the cost of the policy.

An insurance policy with a solid company gives you peace of mind knowing that your investment is covered.

At the Bailey Insurance Agency, we can help you navigate the ocean of insurance possibilities! I know…corny, but I had to do it!

Boating season is here! Please contact either of our offices through our website or by phone and we’ll work hard to help protect your summertime toys!

Dryden office: (607) 844-8626

Cortland office: (607) 756-2805

If you own it...chances are we can insure it! Check out this boat...everyone needs a guitar boat!

Do you have what it takes to be an Independent Insurance Agency Customer Service Representative?

Hope Cross — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 19:04:37 GMT

The George B. Bailey Agency is a local independent insurance agency with offices in Tompkins and Cortland County. We are searching for a full time Personal Lines Customer Service Representative. If you have what it takes to service accounts for our personal lines customers, apply today! You would be a great asset to the Bailey Agency and to our customers!

A good candidate would have a high school graduate with 2 years experience or 2 year college degree. Prior personal lines or commercial lines insurance agency experience is preferred.
A Property and Casualty Insurance license is required. If you are not licensed you will need to get licensed after hire, at the agency's expense.
Must be able to work independently and as part of a team and have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Responsibilities include reception duties, placing new accounts, customer claim management, premium payment processing, and providing ongoing friendly service and sound advice to our clients.
Excellent computer and overall communication skills are a must.

If you feel you would be an asset to our team, please contact us!

Email your resume and letter of interest to resume@baileyagency.com

Hope Cross, Operations Manager at the George B. Bailey Agency, Inc.

Service and Value at the George B. Bailey Agency

John W. Bailey — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 16:08:39 GMT

George B. Bailey (my Grandfather - picture below) founded the insurance agency that bears his name on April 1, 1936. We just celebrated our 76^th year in business and we’re pleased that George’s foundational value of treating others as he would like to be treated, remains today.

We’re committed to providing our clients with insurance coverage (car, home, business, life, etc…) that meets their specific needs, at the best price, from the finest insurance companies, with outstanding customer service.

We seek to insure our clients through all the changes of life, while providing them with the security to enjoy it, and to help get them through the tough times which may come along life’s journey.

It is our hope that our clients will find the people that comprise the George B. Bailey Agency, knowledgeable in their profession, caring in their service and dedicated to protecting the assets of our clients.

Our Mission Statement: The George B. Bailey Agency’s mission is to protect the assets of our clients through sound advice, quality insurance products and excellent customer service. We strive to be fair, honest, courteous and professional in all our dealings.

Thank you very much for this opportunity to share the values of the George B. Bailey Agency with you. It is an honor for us to be of service to you!

Most Sincerely,

John W. Bailey

Gus is on Spring Break!

Hope Cross — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:58:08 GMT

Gus has been visiting his friend Wesley during spring break and inspecting a new dock at Murray Island on the St. Lawrence River. Yes, he was on an island on the St. Lawrence River on March 18^th basking in the sunshine and warm weather! Crazy weather and crazy dogs!

Pretty soon the lakes and rivers will be full of boats and jet-skis. In addition to getting them ready for the water, have you thought about how they are insured? We’d love to take a look at how you are currently insuring them. There are many options available and we can help you get what you need. You can submit a quote request on our website or contact one of our offices. Either way, we can help you insure your watercraft!

If you are out for a walk with your dog, stop by and see us! You and your pets are always welcome at the Bailey Agency!

Oh, and remember when you stop by or contact us through the website, by phone or email, be sure to tell us Gus sent you!

Bye for now!

Meet Jake!

the Bailey Staff — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 17:03:22 GMT

Jake is a ten year old yellow lab owned by Sarah and Ryan McKinley, daughter and son-in-law of Chuck Spaulding.

Jake was born at Mateer Labs, a Labrador breeder in Slippery Rock, PA.

Jake’s lifelong passion is retrieving. As a youngster, his favorite games were keep away and fetch. He once kept Sarah’s brother Pete busy playing keep away for 2 hours during Sarah and Ryan’s engagement party.

Jake loves nothing more than chasing tennis balls, frisbees and sticks, and swimming.

He used to spend countless hours jumping off the dock and swimming back to shore to do it all again. He once jumped so far off the dock that Sarah and Ryan seriously considered entering him into dock jumping competitions. We wish we had a picture or video to show you…you’ll have to take our word for it!

Today he is slightly more relaxed. You will find Jake basking in the sun, relaxing in the bow of a boat, or just swimming around in the river.

However, as if he were still a pup, he will jump to action at the thought that someone may throw something for him to retrieve.

And remember, when you contact the George B. Bailey Agency through our website or by phone or email, be sure to tell us Jake sent you!

We hope you enjoy our dogs. Be sure to check back soon. There are more Bailey dogs yet to come!

If you have a dog that you think we should include in our blog, please let us know!

Bye for now!

Spring is Coming to Central New York!

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 14:45:35 GMT

Yes, we've had a milder than normal winter in the areas around Dryden and Cortland, but with the days getting longer and the weather getting warmer, we're starting to think about spring. (Or at least hoping that springtime is coming, anyway.) And whether spring arrives on time, we’ve got you covered with tips to get you ready for the season.

Get Ready for Spring

Although everyone thinks of cleaning when it comes to spring, there are a number of things you should do to make sure your home is ready when the weather in New York changes. Below is a selection of maintenance tasks from the National Center for Healthy Housing (see the full list)

Check to make sure your roof’s shingles are in good condition (stay safe doing that!), and check your attic for any possible roof leaks that should be repaired.
Look for peeling paint and add any repairs/touch ups to the honey-do list.
Clean your dryer vent and make sure exhaust ducts are clear.
Make sure there are no puddles or wet spots in your basement or crawlspace.
Clean out any winter debis from your gutters and downspouts.
Check/replace the batteries your home’s smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

Beat the Wintertime Blues

Well, you can take solace in the fact that spring will be here eventually. In the meantime, here are some quick tips from Johns Hopkins University to avoid the “winter blues” and get through those long weeks of waiting before spring.

Keep active. Exercise releases endorphins that will elevate your mood.
Eat well. High-sugar foods and large amounts of caffeine can feed depression and actually decrease your energy level. Foods such as whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, seafood and lean meats can help your immune system.
Go to the light. Bring as much light into your life as possible, by spending time outdoors, opening your shades so your home receives more natural light, or even get help from a “light box.”
Get your rest. Go to bed around the same time every night and wake up at the same time each morning. You’ll have more energy during the day.
Of course, if you have strong feelings of depression, please seek assistance from friends, family or a trusted health-care provider. There are people ready to help, whatever the season.

Contact Us !

If an annual insurance review wasn’t included in your New Year’s resolutions, why not get it done while you’re in the cleaning and organizing mood this spring? Your life changes over the course of a year – sometimes in monumental ways. That means your insurance needs can change, too.

At the Bailey Insurance Agency we can work with you to make sure you’ve got the coverage you need, while at the same time utilizing all possible credits and discounts to make that coverage affordable. Just contact us or give us a call at (607) 844-8626 or (607) 756-2805. We want to help you meet your goals, and make sure what’s important to you is protected!

More Meet Gus!

Hope Cross — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 22:41:13 GMT

While I was digging through our pile-o-pics I found another one of Gus...he's the one on the left. His cousin Wesley is on the right. Maybe Wesley will be featured in an upcoming post too. We have such a great group of office family pets to work with! After Maggie and Gus, we could go on and on...and probably will! As a matter of fact, Jake is coming up next month. Watch for him!

Here is the link to the first installment of "Meet Gus".

http://www.baileyagency.com/news/2012/02/meet-gus

We hope you enjoy the posts about our office family pets! Our staff loves pets and babies! So you'll see more in the coming months. We hope you enjoy it, because we do!

Please share your pet pics! We'd love to see them!

More Meet Maggie!

Hope Cross — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 15:32:58 GMT

Here is picture of Maggie that we missed! It is another of her early photo shoots.

Do you have a Westie?

In case you missed the first Meet Maggie blog post, here is a link:

http://www.baileyagency.com/news/2012/01/meet-maggie

Have fun with your pets! If you have any photos or tidbits to share, please do!

Hope

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!