photo credit: abdallahh

One thing’s for certain, traffic light cameras have been controversial since coming into Knoxville, TN  Proponents of the traffic light cameras have argue that roads are safer with their presence and revenue for the city is increased.  Opponents argue that they are unconstitutional and argue against the “big brother” mentality of our local government.  There’s also controversy with the  compensation the private contractors receive which depends on the amount of tickets generated from the cameras.

There is one good thing that I can offer up - it does not count against your auto insurance rates due to the fact that the camera violations don’t go on  your driving record. 

Anyone out there got thoughts on the issue of traffic light cameras?

photo credit: Supagroova

From time to time, we are going to share some interesting articles.  Below is a possible look into the future of the interwebz…

via Wall Street Journal

photo credit: chefranden

Interesting links for our readers, Enjoy!

The Worlds Biggest Treehouse located in Crossville, TN - Great find to Michael Silence

via @sadcox  @patrickbeeson You can get Tour de France live video stream here: http://bit.ly/cc3uN7

Some ideas for keeping home insurance rates low.

3 things an RV should have on board

Interesting read about purchasing commercial real estate for entreprenuers

Steps to filing a homeowners insurance claim

Reinsurance rates update

Catastrophes and contingency plans

A collection of interesting Knoxville pictures

photo credit: theilr

As our office celebrated bookkeeper Clara Williams retirement last week - she gave us a great rundown of some milestones for our agency.  Clara has been with us for over 25 years - and been working in the Knoxville Insurance business for over 40.  Here are some of the progressions we’ve made over history:

1980:  Current owner and President John Clarke comes to work as a commercial insurance agent  for John Bailey Company

1982:  John Bailey Company buys its first computer - a Radio Shack Tandy

1984:  Clara Williams comes to work for John Bailey Company

1986: John Clarke purchases ownership of  Home Investment Insurance Agency, mainly a Knoxville based auto insurance agency

1990: John Bailey Company moves to Union Ave in downtown Knoxville

1991: Missy LeQuire begins working for John Clarke as an auto insurance account executive with Home Investment Insurance Agency

1991: John Bailey Company buys its first fax machine; and replaces all its rotary phones with touch pad.

1997: John Clarke purchases John Bailey Company.  He and Missy (along with a few other employees) operate John Bailey Company along with Home Investment Insurance Agency out of the same office

1997: Move to 200 W. Fifth Ave Building, needed more parking

2001: Wayne Johnson comes aboard John Bailey Company as a commercial insurance producer

2001: Brandon Clarke graduates from Ole Miss - and comes home to Knoxville to work for 6 months - then he heads to Denver, CO to work for a commercial insurance company

2003:  Trucking insurance expert Craig Runger comes aboard as a commercial producer

2004:  Anne Bilbrey comes to John Bailey Company and brings 23 years of experience in commercial auto, auto dealerships, and towing wrecker insurance.

2005: Brandon Clarke returns from Denver to pursue the RV park insurance and outdoor insurance markets.

2006: Glenda Williams retires from the auto insurance department.

2007: John Bailey Company purchases 1011 N. Broadway St.  in the Old North Knoxville/4th and Gill section of town

2007: Joe Morelock comes aboard after his 1 year internship with the Memphis Chamber of Commerce and graduating from the University of Tennessee

2010: Clara Williams retires from John Bailey Company - congrats Clara!

2010: Felicia Caldwell brings 20+ years of experience in auto and homeowners insurance to John Bailey Company - Welcome Aboard Felicia!

Have questions, try our website www.johnbaileyco.com

photo credit: AnnCam

We hope you all have a safe and fun fourth of July weekend.  There are tons of things going on here in Knoxville, TN for a run down click here.

Our office will be celebrating the fourth of July as well, therefore we will be closed.  Enjoy and be safe with your fireworks!

photo credit: Phil Monger

I saw the movie Empire Records come across the digital cable screen last week at my home in Old North Knoxville and decided to DVR it. You know when you just feel like going back to the mid 90s for a good reminder of your childhood?

This one’s a classic with superb 90s soundtrack, a terrible fake pop star (who I believe was named Rex Manning?), and quite a few random characters in between.  What really ignited me to post about this was the following plot to the story. 

Hipster employee Lucas decides to hijack a $9,000 Empire cash deposit, go to Atlantic City, and blow it all at the casino.  What he does not know is that Joe the record store manager is planning on purchasing into ownership of the business.  The Lucas blunder keeps him from doing so.  Then the 27 year old insurance side of me (not the 14 year old Bearden Middle 8th grader) kicks in and thinks - “most commercial insurance policies we sell would protect our clients from idiots like Lucas with employee dishonesty coverage”.  If John Bailey Company only wrote the commercial general liability policy for Empire Records, then Joe could still save the day from the evil Musictown franchise buying Empire Records. 

But then again if we did - their wouldn’t be 1 more outstanding 90s movie to flashback on.

Crush it

It’s so simple, do you Care.  One of the best marketing books I have ever read really hit home (my home is Knoxville, TN)  with me and caused me to ponder how simple the insurance business is.

On page 102 of  “Crush It” by Gary Vaynerchuk reads the word Care and his email address.  That is it, nothing more, nothing less…simple.  This statement or call to action is the key to hard work.  If you care you will help, and how well you help is really equal to how much you care.

How much does your insurance agent care?  Is your insurance agent accessible, does he answer your phone calls in a timely matter, how about answers to coverage question or quotes, are certificates of insurance processed when expected, auto id cards, etc…   My point is this, maybe service is really as simple as caring.

Thank you Gary Vaynerchuk, I recommend your book to anyone trying to figure out what their passion is and what this interwebz…thing is all about

Got questions? Email me at brandon@johnbaileyco.com