Nice Drives in New Jersey

There is so much to see and do in NJ – learn about great places to drive with van den Heuvel & Fountain! 

We invite you to drive with us across NJ and discover more of the Garden State’s cultural, historical and scenic destinations.  The state offers many destinations for entertainment and outdoor fun this time of year.

Here are some of our favorites:

Battleship New Jersey http://www.battleshipnewjersey.org

• The Battleship New Jersey, our nation's most decorated battleship, is an 887-foot long, 45,000-ton living window on the most important half-century in U.S. history.
• Explore the ship's legendary 16-inch gun turrets.
• Visit the Bridge, Communications, Captain's Cabins, and Officer's Wardroom.
• Learn about the role the "Black Dragon" played in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf.

Atlantic City  www.atlanticcitynj.com

• The boardwalk and big casinos provide lots of excitement
• Visit famous casinos like the Showboat and Borgata Hotel
• Enjoy the nightlife with fine dining and live shows
• Shop at boutiques and a variety of stores

Barnegat Lighthouse http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/barnlig.html 

• Famous lighthouse located in Long Beach Island, NJ
• A panoramic view of Island Beach, Barnegat Bay, and Long Beach Island awaits visitors at the top of Barnegat Lighthouse.
• Once regarded as one of the most crucial "change of course" points for coastal vessels.

Delaware River http://www.delawareriver.net 

• Summer is a great time to enjoy the river 
• The river offers it all: tubing, hiking, canoeing, camping, fishing and more!
• Adorable towns dot the coastline, chock full of restaurants, quaint B&Bs, and boutiques

Hot Air Balloon Festival of Warren County www.balloonfestnj.com

• Spectacular balloons decorate the sky
• Take a ride or see the balloons launch
• Traditional county fair fun is also in store

Fosterfields Living Historical Farm http://morrisparks.net/aspparks/ffmain.asp

• NJ's first preserved "living historical farm"
• Experience the work that went into turn-of-the-century farming
• Not a replica, Fosterfields is a working farm
• The farm’s Gothic Revival home, The Willows, was built by Paul Revere’s grandson

NJ Botanical Gardens  www.njbg.org

• Known as the Garden State's Hidden Jewel
• A haven for unusual plant species from around the world
• Wander the gardens or stroll through the paths and discover a majestic place
• Open every day of the year from 8am - 8pm

New Meadowlands Flea Market at The Meadowland Sports Complex  www.newmeadowlandsmarket.com

• Hundreds of merchandise and food vendors
• Free entertainment and games
• Bargain shopping at its best

Hospitality Creek Campground   hospitalitycreek.com 

• Family-run campground and swim club
• 30-acre lake for swimming & fishing
• Picturesque, shaded picnic grove

Spring Lake  www.springlake.org

• Known for pristine beaches
• Walk the town and take in the serene atmosphere
• See beautiful Victorian homes
• Enjoy fine shops, galleries and gourmet dining

Morris County & Morristown   www.morristourism.org

 

• General George Washington brought the Continental Army twice to the area for winter encampments.
• Home to the Morris Museum, the Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms, Revolutionary War sites and Morristown National Historic Park
• The Morristown Green is one of only two in New Jersey to have survived to the present day

Wild West City, Stanhope NJ  http://www.wildwestcity.com

• Theme park that re-creates Western life
• Be entertained by 22 live action shows
• Fun for the family, miniature train ride, pony rides, mini golf and petting zoo
• Enjoy the atmosphere with Western theme eateries 

Note: This information is supplied as guidance and inspiration. Always obey road signs and laws. Roads and directions may not be accurate. 

van den Heuvel & Fountain Inc. does not warrant or endorse the goods or services offered by merchants referenced above.

May Insurance Tips

Summer is on its way!  Before we know it there will be Memorial Day barbecues and weekends at the lake. 

That's why now is a great time to review extra insurance coverage on all of your summer toys.  Read below for things to consider and review with your insurance agent before the big items come out of winter storage.

RV - Your motorhome or travel trailer needs insurance coverage, especially if you'll be driving or pulling it this year.  Even if you don't have a loan on your RV, you will want it covered for theft or damage.  Whether they are parked on a lake lot for the season or driving cross country, we offer several RV policies to fit your needs.  Just call us for a quote.

Boat - The same thing goes for your boats and jet skis.  You've made a big investment and it's important to protect them.  Not only should you worry about damage to your boat, but also make sure you have the proper amount of liability coverage.  Don’t forget your life jackets! 

Motorcycle - Ready to hit the road for a long drive?  Remember to brush up on your safety skills and always wear a helmet.  Don’t forget to make sure your motorcycle has liability coverage just like your vehicle!  We can help you determine what coverage you need. 

Swimming Pool - If you own a pool, then you need extra liability coverage including a Personal Umbrella Policy.  Why?  Because there is a lot more risk of someone being injured when you have a pool.  Don’t skimp on your coverage and make sure you have the pool area secured and safe. 

Summer is a lot more fun when you know that your high price recreational items are properly insured and protected.  Take 15 minutes to call us for a quote or to review your current coverage.  Call 973-948-3200 today! 

Auto Insurance For New Sussex County Graduates

So you just graduated and are ready to go out on your own. You've figured out your rent and have your own car but now you need insurance. Where to begin?

Here's what you need to know…

First, you must have liability insurance. It's required by the state and pays to fix the vehicle of anyone you might hit or to fix property that you might damage in an accident.  Liability coverage fixes the other person's car.

If you want your car to be covered then you'll need comprehensive and collision. This is sometimes called "full coverage". It costs a little bit more but protects your vehicle.  You'll be required to have this if you are paying off a car loan.

Insurance policies are typically for six or twelve months. You can pay in full or make monthly installment payments.

You always want to make sure your insurance is paid on time. If not, you run the risk of not being covered if you have an accident and receiving a no-insurance ticket (which can get very expensive!)

If you are afraid you won't be able to pay on time, call us and let us review your policy and discuss your options.

How can you lower your insurance cost? Having a good credit score, not getting into an accident, and having regular insurance reviews will keep your cost manageable. Let our agency work with you to create an affordable plan that will protect you while also giving you the most bang for your buck.

 Give us a call at 973-948-3200 to get started today!

Be Prepared for Heavy Rains

April Showers Bring May Flowers!  This week has brought us some heavy rainfall.  We are entering May and we should be hopefully be leaving the showers behind in April, but as we all know we are also entering hurricane season. Heavy rains can cause many problems from driving conditions to roof and property damage.

We've gathered some tips to help you prepare for heavy rainstorms:

Before The Storm

• Make a list and purchase emergency supplies.
• Monitor weather reports for updated information.
• Buy enough drinking water to last several days.
• Remember your pets!  Bring them indoors for safety.
• Secure loose objects outside your home.
• Get extra cash. ATMs may be out of order after a severe storm.
• Fill your car tank with gas.
• Give yourself extra time for travel in bad weather.

Preparing For Heavy Rains

• Review your current insurance policy and become familiar with what is and is not covered.
• Call your insurance agent to purchase flood insurance for your home (and business) and its contents. There is a 30 day waiting  period for flood coverage - don't wait until it's raining to think of this important coverage.
• Have emergency evacuation plans prepared.
• Think ahead and list your possessions; take pictures ahead of time.
• Keep valuable items on the upper floors of your property or in a waterproof container.

What To Do If Your Property Floods

• Check for structural damage before re-entering your property to avoid being trapped in a building collapse.
• Take photos and save any damaged personal property.
• Make a list of damaged or lost items and include their purchase date and value with receipts, and place with the inventory you took prior to the flood. Some damaged items may require disposal, so keep photographs of these items.
• Keep power off until an electrician has inspected your system for safety.
• Boil water for drinking and food preparation until authorities tell you that your water supply is safe.
• Prevent mold by removing wet contents immediately.
• Call a restoration company for emergency restoration services.

What To Do If The Power Goes Out

• Call your power company to report the outage. They need to know the affected areas.  Do not call 911, unless you see wires down.
• Avoid opening your refrigerator and freezer as much as possible. Your food will stay cold for hours if the door is left closed.
• Unplug some of your major appliances. When the power comes back on, a power surge could damage those appliances.
• If you have a generator, do not connect it to your properties power system unless it has been properly installed and disconnects you from the main power grid when it is operating.
• If you are running a generator, keep it a safe and proper distance from home to avoid the dangerous fumes.
• If you have a regular wood stove or fireplace, you can use it for heat. Do not use kerosene heaters, BBQs, or any outdoor type heater inside. They can create dangerous gases, like carbon monoxide.
• If you have to go out, drive carefully. Traffic signals may be impacted due to power outages and can cause a danger.

After The Storm

• Stay alert, flood areas can take one to two days to completely flood after a storm.
• Check your roof for signs of damage.
• Inspect your property for water damage.
• Stay alert for musty smells a few days after it rains.
• If you think you have mold, call a restoration company to assess the situation.

The most important thing is for you and your family to stay safe!