Powell & Meadows Insurance

Hometown agency recognized for offering peace of mind, superior products and a commitment to service excellence

Powell & Meadows Insurance Agency has a long history of protecting families in the Carthage, Tennessee area. Between 1894 and 1998, the agency changed hands multiple times while maintaining moderate growth. Since 1998, Powell & Meadows has grown tremendously under the guidance of owners Phillip Piper and Ray Edwards. Today, Powell & Meadows has expanded from 4 employees and beyond just the main office in Carthage to locations in Lafayette, Lebanon and Portland, Tennessee with a total of 28 employees.

As Powell & Meadow Insurance has expanded to other locations, they still maintain the hometown feel by ensuring that each location is staffed by local employees.  Each agency location has adopted local causes to support that are important to that community and their local employees.

“By keeping a local focus, we believe this gives our customers a more familiar face to deal with on a daily basis and also provides greater accountability to our customers because our employees are part of their local community and more easily accessible than someone who lives out of town,” says Chip Piper, vice president of Powell & Meadows.

For over 30 years, Phillip Piper has enjoyed working in the insurance business and was pleased when Chip chose to join him in the business. “Insurance is appealing to us because it allows us to do a job which at the end of the day benefits our customers,” Phillip states.  “We know in today’s world so many people view insurance as a commodity but providing service has value and it is a challenge we enjoy. The best part of our job is when someone refers a friend or family member because that is the ultimate compliment we can receive.”

Through the various companies they represent, the Powell & Meadows Insurance Agency can provide coverage protection for your home and automobile as well as your motorcycle, boat or ATV. They also provide farm, renters and personal umbrella insurance as well as life and health insurance. Besides personal lines of coverage, the staff at Powell & Meadows can also provide business and commercial insurance coverage including specializing in electric cooperatives, water and gas utilities, building contractors and the hunting and firearms industry.

Another thing that sets Powell & Meadow apart from their competition is the number of insurance companies they represent.  By representing over 20 companies, their agents are able to seek out the best coverage from a wide variety of insurance carriers and provide it to the customer at a competitive price.

“Our emphasis is on listening to our customers explain what they are trying to protect, answering any questions they may have then advising them on the best fit for their specific situation,” says Chip. “We provide options and suggestions while allowing the customer to make the final decision.”

According to Phillip, “Powell & Meadows will continue to grow by adding support and sales staff along with adding strategic partnerships with other carriers when needed.  We look to expand our footprint and try to expand the products and services we offer our clients.”

“The partnership between Powell & Meadows Insurance Agency and Farmers Mutual of Tennessee has been a great fit. FMT’s appetite suits our rural communities well.  We also enjoy working with FMT because they have a desire to build a relationship between agency staff and underwriters.  This is uncommon in today’s insurance world as more and more companies move to completely automated processing which will further commoditize agent/company relationships.”

FMT values our relationship with Powell & Meadows Insurance Agency and we appreciate their commitment and service to their customers. If you have insurance needs in the Upper Middle Tennessee area, either request a quote online at www.powellmeadows.com or contact a friendly agent at one of their four locations in:

• Carthage 735.1111
• Lafayette 666.6060
• Lebanon 444.7000
• Portland 325.3930

 

 

Mike Campbell Insurance Agency

Dedicated to Serving Your Home, Auto, Business, Life and Health Insurance Needs

Mike Campbell stands out in both his community and insurance because of his lifelong dedication to service. After serving his country in Vietnam, Mike earned a degree in Business from Lincoln Memorial University and spent 17 years in the banking industry. When offered the opportunity to purchase Clark Insurance Agency in 1992, Mike decided it was time for another challenge in his life. He purchased the agency from Mr. Clark with the goal of providing friendly, personal contact with his clients along with the service and advice they need.  It has been that motivation to serve his customers’ needs that has been a hallmark of the Mike Campbell Insurance Agency in Harrogate, Tennessee ever since.

In those 25 years, the Mike Campbell Insurance Agency has grown into a multi-line agency serving Claiborne, Campbell, Grainger, Hancock, Hawkins and Union Counties. They specialize in home, auto, business, life, and health insurance. Along with Mike, the dedicated staff includes agent Sherry Hamlin and agent Geoffrey Campbell.

Mike and his wife Emily are lifetime residents of Claiborne County. He states, “I cannot remember a time I was not involved in the community.” Mike serves as chairman of the 911 Board, member on the Arthur Shawanee Utility District board, and member of Midway Baptist Church.  Previously he served on the Claiborne County Hospital board of directors and as a Claiborne County Commissioner.

“My vision for Mike Campbell Insurance Agency is to remain a leader in the community by offering excellent customer service and expertise in our field,” says Mike.

Mike Campbell Insurance Agency is pleased to represent Farmers Mutual of Tennessee.  According to Mike, “FMT fills an important niche for our agency. The market they serve is very often ignored by the larger companies.”

FMT values our relationship with the Mike Campbell Insurance Agency and appreciate their service to their customers and the community. If you have insurance needs in the Harrogate area, please give the friendly folks at Mike Campbell Insurance Agency a call at (423)869-8699 or visit their website at www.mikecampbellinsuranceagency.com and give them the opportunity to answer your questions and meet your insurance needs.

 

Recognized for Insurance Excellence

Roger Smith believes that the opportunity to make a living by taking care of others when they need it most is a ‘win-win’ situation. It is that attitude along with the simple philosophy of putting the customer first that motivated him to establish Roger Smith Agency in Waynesboro, Tennessee in 1987. In those 30 years, the Roger Smith Agency has grown into a multi-line agency serving Wayne and the surrounding counties of Decatur, Hardin, Lawrence, Lewis and Perry.

The Roger Smith Agency specializes in home and auto insurance, business insurance as well as life and health insurance and retirement planning. The dedicated staff of six, including a dedicated claims person, is trained in all lines to better understand and serve their customers’ needs. The staff members have a team approach for taking care of the customer and have developed a reputation for making the customer the number one priority by treating each person with respect and understanding. To ensure the best service for their customers, there is always a live voice – no voice mail. The agency is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday by appointment; and does not close for lunch. Also, they have a dedicated website and after hour claims service.

Roger Smith is very involved in the Waynesboro community having served as president of the Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, Roger is on the board of directors of two area non-profit foundations and several church fundraising committees.

“Over the next 5 years, I envision that our agency will continue to grow profitably and be able to enhance the lives that we touch with a peace of mind that they will be taken care of in the event of a loss,” says Roger.

Roger Smith Agency is excited to be able to represent Farmers Mutual of Tennessee. According to Roger, “FMT is an integral part of our agency. Their products are a great fit for our local community. It’s important to have a great relationship with a carrier, and we certainly can attest to the fact that FMT gives us that opportunity. We look forward to many years of representing such a wonderful company.”

FMT values our relationship with Roger Smith Agency and we appreciate their commitment to and focus on customers. If you have insurance needs in the Waynesboro area, please give the friendly folks at Roger Smith Agency a call at 931.722.5010 or visit their website at www.rogersmithagency.com and give them the opportunity to answer your questions and meet your insurance needs.

Water Damage: How to Prevent It

Homeowners Inspection Checklist

Each year, our policyholders suffer from thousands of dollars in water losses due to rusted out water heaters, worn out washing machines and dishwasher hoses, and bad ice maker connections. Many of these losses can be prevented by making a few quick and simple checks around the home.

One of the main sources of water leaks is the water heater. Look around the case of your water heater for rust spots and seepage. If you have a drip pan, make sure it is properly installed and is not full.

Another area to keep an eye on is your washing machine. Check your washer hoses and their connections. The rubber should be soft and the connections should show no signs of seepage. To be safe, we recommend that you replace your washer hoses every six years.

The kitchen also has appliances prone to leak. Check for seepage or leakage around your dishwasher and ice maker connections. Most of these are found under the sink. Look behind the refrigerator at the ice maker lines. Check for leaks, good connections, and the condition of the plastic lines. If the lines are discolored or cracked, then it needs to be replaced. Look under your kitchen sink to make sure nothing appears to be leaking.

For added protection, consider investing a little extra money in high PSI braided stainless steel hoses as well as water leak detectors. Also, keep an eye on your water bill. If your usage increases without explanation, it may mean that there is a leak somewhere in your home.

6-Month Inspection Checklist:

✅  Look at water heater for rust spots or seepage
✅  Check washer hoses and connections
✅  Check dishwasher connection for seepage and leakage (usually under the sink)
✅  Check ice maker connection (usually under the sink)
✅  Check the ice maker line behind the refrigerator

If you do incur water damage, please contact your FMT agent as soon as possible or call us at 800-824-9555. Please note that not all policies have coverage for water damage and coverage will depend on the type of loss (repeated or continuous damage is probably excluded). Check out upcoming articles for more information about types of water damage and what to do if you have a water damage loss!

V.R. Williams: Focusing on Honesty, Integrity, Insurance

V.R. Williams & Company has been providing insurance service to customers in Winchester and Middle Tennessee since 1896. The agency has had only four owners since it was founded and is presently owned by Joe A. Hunt, Jr., who purchased it in 2001.

“My beginning in insurance is in my Blood,” according to Joe. “My father, Joe Hunt, Sr. is a strong 86 years old. He was a Regional Vice President handling several states in the South with service out of Charlotte, North Carolina.  My uncle Ray Wesson of High Point, North Carolina was a very successful independent agent and owner. I drew many thoughts and lessons from both of them.”

After Joe graduated from college, he took a position with Maryland Casualty and headed to Atlanta. Following a few corporate moves, Joe left the company and joined Allen Watson at General Insurance Underwriters. From there, Joe acquired several agency locations. Today, his focus is on V.R. Williams in Winchester.

“We will finish our second expansion in 11 years in June 2017. Currently, we serve our community with a wonderful staff of 25”, Joe proudly stated.

V.R. Williams & Company operates as a team under the leadership of Joe Hunt and works in three departments:  Personal Insurance; Business Insurance; and Life & Health Insurance. Each team is staffed with dedicated professionals who are fully trained in their area of expertise, and are licensed insurance agents through the Tennessee Department of Insurance. Additionally, many of their staff have attained and hold various professional insurance designations that are conferred, after completing rigorous courses of study and exams, by the insurance industry organization that represent their area of expertise.

V.R. Williams provides insurance service to assist individuals and families to safeguard what they feel is most important in their lives. The agency also provides insurance service and products to all segments of the business community, as well as governmental entities; and institutions throughout Middle Tennessee. We also provide service and products to several special programs that have unique insurance exposures and needs.

V.R. Williams is active in the local Chamber of Commerce and supports various charities and membership organizations. They also support local the fire department and law enforcement in their efforts to educate the community on the importance of fire safety and the danger of drugs in the community.

As their logo states V.R. Williams is guided by the principles of Honesty, Integrity, Insurance. They strive to deliver the best possible product at the most reasonable price to meet their customers’ insurance needs. While doing this, they work hard to make the customer experience as efficient, timely and pleasant as possible.

V.R. Williams & Company’s goal is to continue to grow and remain the same viable service-oriented organization that they have been for the past 120 years by continuing to serve the insurance needs of the Winchester community and the Middle Tennessee area.

For nearly 30 years, V.R. Williams has proudly represented Farmers Mutual of Tennessee. According to General Manager Ken Patterson, “FMT serves a niche by providing outstanding insurance coverage and price to our customers who match with their risk appetite.”

FMT values our long relationship with the wonderful, professional staff at V.R. Williams & Company. If you have insurance needs in the Winchester area, contact V.R. Williams at 931.967.2268 or visit their website at www.vrwilliams.com and allow them to take care of your needs.

Sweetwater Insurance Agency, Inc.

Focus on Family, Service and Integrity

“Service is our Motto” has been the standard for Sweetwater Insurance Agency since its founding in 1887. In 1920, Sweetwater Insurance was purchased by Jack C. Oates, Sr. who brought Pilot Life Insurance to Tennessee from North Carolina.

In the late 1940’s Jack C. Oates, Jr. and Walter B. Lumsden, Jr. joined their father and father-in-law, respectively, in the Agency.  By then, Sweetwater Insurance had moved from their original Sweetwater Bank and Trust office to its current location at 118 West North Street in Sweetwater.  Harris Lovingood, Walter’s son-in-law, joined Sweetwater Insurance in 1976; and in 1987 Walter’s daughter, Lou Lovingood, joined the business.  A fourth generation joined the Agency in 2006 when Branham Lovingood joined the business his great–grandfather had purchased in 1920.

While family members and staff have changed through the years, the same purpose of providing service with a high degree of integrity to their customers remains constant.  With a combined 82 plus years of experience, Sweetwater Insurance Agency meets the growing and changing needs of the Sweetwater community as well as Monroe County and the neighboring counties of Loudon, McMinn, Meigs and Roane.

Harris, Lou and Branham are service minded people. They know and understand the needs of the community because of their work throughout the community.  The Sweetwater Insurance family serves the community through their church, Kiwanis Club, Boy Scouts of America, Monroe County Chamber of Commerce (Charter Member), Monroe County Relay for Life, Sweetwater Merchant and Property Owners Association, City Boards as well as through coaching and sponsoring youth and high school athletic teams and various other service projects.

Having had a presence in the Sweetwater community for over 130 years and being an integral part of this community, the folks at Sweetwater Insurance have developed long and lasting relationships with customers who have become like family.  “It warms our hearts when a customer gets to the door, turns around and says, ‘Love you all’.  Yes, that’s how it is to live and work in a small and caring town,” says Lou Lovingood.

Sweetwater Insurance automated in 1983 and has, since that time, continued to try to leverage technology to assist with enhancing the customer experience.  They rely on technology and appreciate it very much, but still believe that customers desire personal interaction and the face-to-face service offered by their agency.

For the past 32 years, Sweetwater Insurance Agency has partnered with Farmers Mutual of Tennessee.  According to Harris Lovingood, “Our relationship through those years has provided an excellent product for our customers.  FMT has grown and changed and that has enhanced our ability to provide better products and service to our mutual customers.  FMT is the kind of company that you can call, and when the phone is answered, the person on the other end usually will recognize your voice.  When calling FMT several years ago, Scott Kehne, FMT’s president at that time, answered the phone and immediately recognized my voice.  That’s the kind of personalized service we strive to offer our customers – recognition, affirmation and care!  We appreciate and are grateful for the long-term, stable partnership that we have with FMT.”

FMT values our relationship with Harris, Lou and Branham at Sweetwater Insurance and their family-friendly focus on customers. If you have insurance needs in the Sweetwater area, give Sweetwater Insurance a call at 423.337.5088 or visit their website at www.sweetwaterinsurance.com and give them the opportunity to take care of your insurance needs.

Wilmoth Insurance Agency is Recognized for Excellence

 

 “All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; 

the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost.” 

J. R. R. Tolkien 

 

 

Wilmoth Insurance Agency’s roots grow deep within the Putnam County community of Cookeville, Tennessee.

Proud of their 78 year legacy in the insurance business and roots in the community, the folks at Wilmoth Insurance demonstrate their commitment to the mutual value of neighbors helping neighbors by consistently providing good service and quality products to their customers.

The agency was founded in 1939 by Claude Wilmoth, who at the time, was a barber. Because business was slow during the working day, Claude found time to pursue other interests which lead him into insurance and the establishment of the agency that bears the family’s name. To this day, Wilmoth Insurance remains an independent, family-owned agency that has provided insurance services for the residents of the Upper Cumberland region of Tennessee for three generations.

With a combined experience of over 220 years, the team includes Keith Wilmoth, Larry Wilmoth, Roger Wilmoth, Vickie Wilmoth, Alton Freeman and Glenda Thomas. Five of whom graduated from the local, Tennessee Tech University. They have also been proud to support the local community by sponsoring sports at both Cookeville High School and youth levels. They currently sponsor the Wilmoth Insurance Agency Hot Rods coaches pitch baseball team.

“The agency is a legacy, as we strive to live up to the standards Claude instilled in us,” says Larry Wilmoth, one of the principals at Wilmoth Insurance. “We like to think that our years of experience and attention to the customer’s needs set us apart from our competitors.”

As a full-service agency representing only the best of insurance companies, Wilmoth Insurance provides personal, commercial, life and health insurance. When it comes to your personal property they can provide you coverage for your home, mobile home, rental dwelling, farm and automobiles.

“With changes in the way the world works and communicates, our goals are to provide good old-fashioned customer service in an electronic age,” says owner, Keith Wilmoth. “Our relationship with FMT Insurance makes us both stronger. FMT understands that you don’t have to be the biggest to consistently be your best, and to provide a good product for a fair price.”

FMT values our relationship with Wilmoth Insurance and we appreciate Keith, Larry, Roger, Vickie, Alton and Glenda’s commitment to their customers. If you have insurance needs in the Cookeville area, give the friendly folks at Wilmoth Insurance a call at 931.526.6181 or visit their website at www.wilmothinsuranceagency.com and allow them to take care of your needs.

 

Dryer Safety

By Charles Coones, Forensic Investigations and Technologies

We are fully into the fire season and fires are often the leading story on the evening news.  We typically assume that the start of heating season coincides with the start of fire season and therefore heating systems are a large cause of the residential fires we all see.

However, the largest residential fire hazard is with us throughout the year and you probably pass by it daily.  It is your clothes dryer.  FEMA reports that over the three years 2008-2010, almost 83% of residential structure fires started in the laundry room.   In those cases, 92% of the fires originated in the dryer.

Here are some interesting facts:

1.  Gas or electric dryers: makes no difference.  The incidence of fire is about the same.
2.  Over a third of these fires are reported between 12PM and 7PM.
3.  Dryer fires are reported throughout the year, but almost 40% occur November -February.
4.  About 34% of the fires were related to a failure to clean
5.  Interestingly, it is almost a dead heat between what ignites first – the dust and lint or the clothes in the drum.  We investigate a lot of fires where the fire starts in the drum of the dryer.

Ignition of clothing can be due to placing improper items in the dryer (don’t dry your flip-flops) or spontaneous ignition of the clothing.  Clothing can spontaneously ignite inside or outside the dryer after the clothes have been dried and removed.  Note we see many fires in commercial laundries that occur in clothing that has been dried and piled or stacked together.  Research into these spontaneous ignition fires finds that most often a contaminant, such as vegetable oil or a petroleum product, had soaked into the clothing/towels/rags.

These contaminants can exhibit self heating, especially where they are heated in dryers in placed in piles where the heat generated by the decomposition of the materials cannot be dissipated.  Linseed oil is often described as the cause of self-heating fires, but cooking oils (such as sunflower, olive, or canola),  massage oils, and petroleum products can also exhibit self-heating behavior.   These contaminants are not well removed by standard washing machines.  Testing by Fire Findings found that after three hot water washes, vegetable oil remains in typical towels.

So, what do we do?

1. Ensure that dryers are only used when the house is occupied.  Strong odors from the dryer are indicative of the start of a fire.  Turn the dryer off and call the fire department.  Do not open the dryer.
2. The Building Code requires that dryer vents be of limited length (including bends) and discharge directly outside.  Most dryer manufacturers and the Code require that dryer vents be rigid or corrugated metal.
3. Remove lint before each load of laundry and clean the vent and the interior of the dryer periodically; two year intervals is recommended.
4. Promptly remove dried clothing and separate. Do not place or pile recently dried clothing into plastic bags, hampers or carts.
5.  Use disposable towels in the kitchen or when working on the car.  Dispose of these in metal containers with tight fitting or “flame out” lids.
6.  You can always use clothes lines instead of dryers.  I have yet to investigate a clothes line fire.

Hatchett Insurance Recognized for Outstanding Service

The friendly folks at Hatchett Insurance in Winchester, Tennessee are committed to the mutual value of neighbors helping neighbors. They demonstrate this commitment by putting the needs of their customer first and helping them find the best insurance coverage and personal protection available at an affordable rate. Each member of the team is an insurance professional who works, lives and is actively involved in the local community through church, sports and civic activities.

Owner Nelson Hatchett is joined by a wonderful, experienced team whom he credits with driving the insurance agency’s success. Denise Meeks and Tammy Ryan both have been with Hatchett Insurance for over 20 years.  Virginia Euler has been with the agency for 10 years. Mary DeRoy is the newest addition to the team joining the agency in 2016.

The Hatchett Insurance team pictured below (left to right): Nelson Hatchett, Mary DeRoy, Tammy Ryan, Denise Meeks and Virginia Euler.

Hatchett Insurance is a second generation, independent insurance agency founded in 1954 in Cowan, Tennessee by Nelson’s father, Kenneth Hatchett.  Nelson’s original career aspiration was to go into industrial management which he studied in college. However, as Nelson says, “I got into insurance by accident or divine providence”. When Nelson’s father passed away, Nelson and his mother, Mildred Hatchett, ran the agency for several years before she retired.

In order to provide the best service, the team at Hatchett Insurance handles each customer’s requests quickly and efficiently by providing fast and fair quotes as well as claims handling. Coming from a small rural area like Franklin County, Nelson and his team have taken a generalist approach to business and have become knowledgeable about various lines of insurance coverage including homes, mobile homes, rental dwellings, farms, churches and automobiles.

“Whatever the need in the way of insurance, we try to get it done for our customers”, Nelson says. “Our level of service sets us apart from our competition.  We answer the phone in person.  We greet each person with a smile when they come in our door. The bottom line is we treat people just like we would want to be treated.”

The relationship between Hatchett Insurance and Farmers Mutual of Tennessee goes back many years. According to Nelson, “We really appreciate the niche FMT fills for us. They are very stable. Stability and retention work together. We appreciate the fact that FMT doesn’t try to do everything but they try real hard to be good at what they do.”

FMT also values our relationship with Hatchett Insurance and appreciate Nelson, Denise, Tammy, Virginia and Mary’s commitment to their customers. If you have insurance needs in the Winchester area, give the friendly folks at Hatchett Insurance a call at 931.967.7546 or visit their website at www.hatchettinsurance.com and allow them to take care of your needs.

 

 

“Don’t buy insurance or salsa from New York City.  Call Nelson… He’s local!”

What is the Difference Between ACV and RCV?

This is a type of question that people usually only think about once they have a monetary or significant loss. However, it is important to research these things before selecting home insurance coverage and to know what type of insurance policy you have along with the benefits for the homeowner or individual seeking coverage. ACV (Actual Cash Value) and RCV (Replacement Cost Value) are two different methods of determining the value of a covered loss.

This centers around the fact that homes, like almost everything in life, lose value over time. A roof wears out, flooring gets stained and scuffed, and paint needs an extra coat. Whether it’s something expected to last a long time like framing, or less time like an HVAC unit, every aspect of your home is expected to wear out eventually. And some policies factor the age and lifespan into the value of lost or damaged items when determining a settlement amount.

Actual cash value is defined as “The amount which it would cost to repair or replace covered property with material of like kind and quality, less allowance for physical deterioration and depreciation including obsolescence, and wear and tear.” This means that older and more deteriorated items will be settled at a lower amount than newer ones.

ACV policies are settled by starting with the replacement cost and then subtracting the deductible and depreciation. Below is an example:

Example: Replace Composite Shingles, 3 Tab, 25 yr                           $  4,000 Depreciation (15 year old shingles – 50%)                          ($  2,000) Actual Cash Value                                                                    $ 2,000 Deductible                                                                                  ($ 500) Claims Payment                                                                        $ 1,500

Replacement Cost Value policies, however, also pay the amount of depreciation. In most cases, FMT will make an initial payment that is the ACV amount, but once they get verification that the work has been completed (usually by a Contractor’s Completion or a Certificate of Completion sent along with photos of the completed work), we release another payment for the amount of depreciation that was initially subtracted. This is called “recoverable depreciation.”

If you are not sure which type of policy you have, we recommend that you reach out to your local agent or call FMT Insurance at 1-800-824-9555.  At FMT, we have trained insurance professionals experienced in listening and providing the best insurance service to fit your specific need.  Don’t delay, call or contact us today!