WAYLAND, MA, October 28, 2009—It was1959—the year Hawaii and Alaska became states and the year Barbie was first seen on store shelves. It was a time before computers, Google, and Gatorade were a part of our lives-—when Baldwin Insurance Agency opened its doors in Wayland. On November 14, 1959, John H. Baldwin, founder, wrote the first insurance policy for physical damage to an auto with "Employers Fire Insurance Co." The one-year policy was written for $12. That was followed by the agency’s first homeowners policy a few days later, a three-year "fire policy" for $48!
Today, Baldwin is the oldest insurance agency in Wayland and has grown to include additional offices in Bedford, Hudson, Topsfield, and Winthrop.
"Most people don’t realize how large we are,” says agency owner David D’Orlando. “We represent twelve insurance companies through our five locations – a large number compared to most agencies. This allows us more flexibility and choice in finding the right coverage at the right price for each client. Half of our business is home and auto insurance. The other half is commercial insurance, including small businesses, shopping centers throughout the Northeast, and international coverage for global contractors.
"We have a history of always trying to serve our clients better," explains D'Orlando. "That’s why our business has been around this long and continues to succeed. The common thread between our present organization and our founder fifty years ago is the shared commitment to the community of Wayland at a personal level. To this day, we continue to practice our founding principles of individualized attention to every customer. Our customers are not numbers or files. They are people we know and care about. We earn their satisfaction, person by person."
Baldwin Insurance takes its commitment to the town seriously and actively supports many Wayland community organizations including the Vokes Theatre, Wayland Boy Scouts, Dudley Pond Association, Wayland-Weston Crew, Wayland Baseball Association, the Wayland X-Country Festival, and Wayland-Weston Rotary Scholarship Fund.
As part of Baldwin’s particular dedication to educating teen drivers and in honor of its 50th anniversary in November, the agency will be giving away Auto Safety Kits to the first 50 new teen drivers and their parents who come into any of their branch offices. In 2007, Baldwin worked with the Wayland High School SADD club to design and install the club’s safety sign in the student parking lot, and this year Baldwin would like to continue its efforts to help teens drive more safely by encouraging them to take crash prevention training. To this end, Baldwin has arranged for a 10% discount on this training for their clients. (Contact Baldwin for more information.) In addition, the agency plans to release safety related public service announcements throughout the year.
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About Baldwin Insurance Agency
An independent insurance agency, Baldwin Insurance was recently recognized as a National Best Practices Agency. The Baldwin Insurance Agency has served the insurance needs of individuals, families, and businesses throughout Eastern Massachusetts since 1959. By simplifying clients' insurance matters, providing better coverage, and reducing costs, this award-winning agency continues to provide exceptional personalized service appreciated by its clients. Located at 260 Boston Post Road in Wayland, this full service agency offers insurance coverage for home, automobile, life, and business. More information at www.baldinweb.com.
1959 Going Back in Time
NBA Championship
Boston d. Minneapolis Lakers (4-0)
1959 Prices
Average Cost of New House: $12,400
Average Yearly Wages: $5,010
Cost of a Gallon of Gas: 25 cents
Average Cost of a New Car: $2,200
Movie Ticket: $1
Loaf of Bread 20 cents
Average Cost of New House: $12,400
Average Yearly Wages: $5,010
Cost of a Gallon of Gas: 25 cents
Average Cost of a New Car: $2,200
Movie Ticket: $1
Loaf of Bread 20 cents
Music
1. Mack The Knife Bobby Darin
2. The Battle Of New Orleans Johnny Horton
3. Venus Frankie Avalon
4. Stagger Lee Lloyd Price
5. The Three Bells Browns
6. Come Softly To Me Fleetwoods
7. Lonely Boy Paul Anka
8. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes Platters
9. Heartaches By the Number Guy Mitchell
10. Sleep Walk Santo & Johnny
11. Kansas City Wilbert Harrison
12. A Big Hunk Of Love Elvis Presley
Wayland:
- There were four diesel locomotive passenger trains each day (two each way) between Wayland and Boston.
- The ground was broken for the current high school campus, designed by Walter Gropius, which was heralded as unique and cutting-edge.
- Common autos seen in Wayland included AMC Ramblers and several models of Edsels
- Typical homes were traditional capes and colonials, soon to be followed with the brand new home style of Deck Houses, also founded in 1959.
News and pop culture:
January 3 – Alaska is admitted as the 49th U.S. state
January 29 – Walt Disney releases Sleeping Beauty.
February 3 – A chartered plane transporting musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper goes down in foggy conditions near Clear Lake, Iowa, killing all 4 occupants on board, including pilot Roger Peterson. The tragedy is later termed "The Day the Music Died", popularized in Don McLean's 1972 song "American Pie".
February 16 – Fidel Castro becomes Premier of Cuba.
Feb 17th – World’s 1st weather satellite launched, Vanguard 2, by the US
Feb 22nd – 1st Daytona 500 auto race-Lee Petty wins (135.521 MPH)
March 9 – The Barbie doll debuts.
August 14 – Explorer 6 sends the first picture of Earth from space.
August 21 – Hawaii is admitted as the 50th U.S. state.
Sep 12th – "Bonanza" premieres on NBC-TV
October 2 – Rod Serling's classic anthology series The Twilight Zone premieres on CBS.
Additional:
1959 – Pantyhose is first brought to market introduced by Glen Raven Mills; Jiffy Pop is born, and Nils Bohlin's lap-and-shoulder belt was introduced by Volvo in 1959, though it takes 9 more years before seat belts are required in automobile front seats in 1968.
Insurance Related Sidebars
8 Ways to Save Money on Your Homeowner's Insurance
1. Raise your deductible to lower your premium rate. If you have a $500 deductible, consider raising that. Make sure your deductibles are set to an amount you can comfortably afford.
2. Explore "package discounts" that may reduce your rates if you insure your home and cars with the same company.
3. Install dead bolt locks on all exterior doors. This will deter break-ins — a worthy goal in itself–and often will qualify you for a premium discount.
4. If you have a nonsmoking household, be sure to let your agent or insurer know. Smokers in a home represent a higher risk because of the possibility of an accidental fire. If your household consists totally of nonsmokers, ask about a premium discount.
5. Consider installing a sprinkler system. Fire suppression systems may make you a more attractive customer for a homeowner's insurer. If you've gone to the expense and trouble of installing such a system, you should be rewarded for your efforts.
6. Prevent losses from break-ins with home security systems, such as special lighting and burglar alarms. Insurance companies encourage their policyholders to adopt these measures and may offer a premium discount for having some sort of home security system in place.
7. Find out about special discounts offered by your insurance company or agent. For example, you may qualify for a reduced rate if you are over 50 years old. Ask your insurance company or agent about available discounts.
8. Be sure to review your policy periodically with your agent or customer service representative. When comparison shopping, be sure to look at coverage terms, service and pricing that is best for you. Prices may vary by hundreds of dollars, so consider the importance of quality service — not just price alone.
7 Money Saving Tips for Auto Insurance Savings
1. Buy a "Low Profile" Car. Before you buy a new or used car, check into insurance costs. Cars that are expensive to repair, or that are a favorite target for thieves, have much higher insurance costs.
2. Consider Insurance Cost When Making a Move. Costs tend to be lowest in rural communities and highest in cities where there is more traffic congestion.
3. Inquire About Other Discounts. Some insurers offer discounts for things like no accidents in three years, drivers over 65 years of age, driver training courses, anti-theft devices, and having more than one car insured with that company.
4. Ask for Higher Deductibles. Deductibles represent the amount of money you pay before you make a claim. By requesting higher deductibles on collision and comprehensive (fire and theft) coverage, you can lower your costs substantially.
5. Drop Collision Coverage on Older Cars. It may not be cost effective to have collision coverage on cars over ten years old, because any claim you make would not substantially exceed annual cost and deductible amounts.
6. Take Advantage of Low Mileage Discounts. Companies offer discounts to motorists who drive fewer than 7500 miles a year.
7. Take Advantage of Homeowners/Auto Insurance Discounts. Many times companies will offer discounts to motorists who also have their homeowners policy with them.
