Halloween Insurance Tips

It's October and that means that Halloween is on it's way!  We love any excuse to celebrate, but Halloween is especially fun around the office. However, I wouldn't be a good insurance agent if I didn't give a few good liability tips too.

You've heard most Halloween advice over and over.

Pack a flashlight for when it gets dark.

Put reflective tape on children's costumes.
Check the kid's candy before letting them eat any.

But what about the risks at your home?

Your Homeowners Insurance covers you if someone is injured on your property. But there are a few things you can do to prevent accidents before they happen!

1.    Change your lightbulbs. Is your porch light burned out? What about lights along pathways? Good lightning will help prevent children (and adults) from tripping.

2.    Clear hazards. Tree limbs in your yard? A hole you've been meaning to fill? These are all potential hazards that could cause an injury and subject you to a liability claim. Clean them up before you have people trick-or-treating at your home!

3.    No open flames. While candle filled pumpkins are fun to make, they can be dangerous too. If you use any open flame candles, make sure they are up high and away from any loose costume pieces.

And the easiest way to protect yourself?  Make sure you have plenty of liability insurance! Call us today at 973-948-3200 to schedule a free review and detailed explanation of how we can keep your home and family protected.

Life Insurance is Affordable

September is Life Insurance Awareness Month. You’ll probably see TV commercials and magazine articles talking about why this coverage is so important all month long. And you probably already know it’s important. But that doesn’t mean that you’ve got your policy set up yet!

The Life Foundation says that only 62% of people who believe they need life insurance, actually have it. And even those that have it only carry enough to replace their income for 3.6 years. If you have young children to support, that is simply not enough time! And if you're skipping life coverage all together, then you are putting your family at risk.

So why do people wait too long to purchase life insurance? Well, the Life Foundation also says that 86% of Americans say they haven't purchased it because it's "too expensive,” yet overestimate the cost by more than 2X!

Life Insurance rates are based on a number of factors, including age, health conditions, and smoking status. By not smoking and purchasing when you're younger, you can save substantial money. In fact, many term life policies are less than $30 per month!

Here’s what we recommend...call the office and set up an appointment with one of our life insurance specialists. Bring information on your annual income, as well as any debts (like your mortgage). We’ll give an accurate picture of how much coverage you need as well as different ways to make it affordable. Don’t wait another minute! Call us today at 973-948-3200 to set up an appointment.

"Back To School" Insurance

As August begins, it's time to start thinking about going back to school! What does that have to do with insurance? Here are a few things to keep in mind.

Good Grades - Do you have a teenage driver in the house (or one on the way)? Many policies allow discounts for students with good grades. Don't forget to talk to your kids about the importance of keeping those grades up! These discounts can apply to college students too.

Driver Training - There are different discounts available for Drivers Ed classes. We can review all the options and let you know which discounts will impact you the most.

Moving To The Dorm - Is your college student living in the dorm this semester? Your Homeowners Insurance may cover their belongings without additional coverage being needed. This is called Property Off Premises coverage.

Remember, any claims would be subject to your deductible which is usually higher on home policies! Let us review your policy to check for the specific amounts of coverage included.

Moving To An Apartment - Let's say your college student has graduated from the dorms and moved on to an apartment. In this case, your Homeowners Insurance would not cover their belongings and they would need their own Renters Insurance policy.

Renters Insurance is very affordable and covers all of the contents of the property. It also provides liability insurance if someone were injured in the property or if the student caused a fire, etc. By making sure they are properly insured, you are also protecting yourself.

We work hard to make sure all of our clients have the right coverage at all times. The fastest and easiest way to make sure your student is receiving all the discounts they qualify for and that their belongings are covered at college is to schedule a review! Call  973-948-3200 to review your policy and situation and we'll make sure all of your questions are answered.

August Home Maintenance Tasks

Every month, we share easy tasks you can do to keep your home in tip-top shape all year long.  In August, we still have warm temperatures and a few summer days left to enjoy.  So what can you do this month for your home?

Get Rid Of Allergens - Many people suffer from allergies due to dust mites.  But there are ways to rid your home of the dust without spending all day cleaning.  

Look for where dust lurks.  Use a damp cloth to clean all window blinds and fan blades once a month. If you have carpet, make it a priority to vacuum on a regular basis.  These things will get rid of dust and prevent allergies.

Clean The Grill - After a summer of heavy use, make sure your grill is still in good shape. Heat it up for 10-15 minutes to burn off any residue and then scrub the grill with a wire brush.  Start looking for a grill cover to keep it protected through the winter.

Plan A Fun Labor Day Weekend - Okay this isn't a home maintenance item, but it's still fun! Labor Day weekend is on the way.  Why not schedule a cookout or party with family and friends?  

Save on Home Insurance -  If we don't currently insure your home, call us at 973-948-3200 for a quote today. We'll look for every possible discount without sacrificing important coverage. Great insurance coverage is the best protection you can have!

Insuring a Vacant Home

Selling your home can be a stressful process, especially when it doesn't move quickly.  With a new job looming, you may have no choice but to leave the home vacant for a short time until it sells.  

The problem?  Vacant homes fall under different insurance rules and can leave you at risk.  Here are a few things you need to know before leaving town.

A vacant home is determined  when there is not enough furniture inside for a reasonable person to live.  It can also apply if all of the utilities have been shut off.  

If a home is vacant, the insurance company can deny a claim or drop your policy altogether.  (The rules vary by company.)

Insurance companies view a vacant home as a higher risk.  There are more opportunities for vandalism and no one living there to protect the home from fire or damage.  

Many companies will exclude any coverage for vandalism or glass breakage while a home is vacant. This can leave you responsible for a huge repair bill if a vandal were to cause major damage.  

First you need to talk to your insurance agent and get the details on your policy.  Since policies vary by state and insurance company, there is no single right answer.  

Explain the situation to your insurance agent.  Ask what coverage is included and what is excluded (specifically for vandalism).  

You also need to find out if your policy will be non-renewed or canceled while the home is vacant.  If so, now is a good time to start contacting other companies and looking for the coverage you need.

Some insurance companies will continue to cover you, but might increase your premium.  Ask if you can purchase an endorsement for your homeowner's policy that will extend coverage while the property is vacant.  

Selling a home doesn't always follow a quick timeline.  If you're facing the possibility of leaving your home vacant, contact van den Heuvel & Fountain first at 973-948-3200 and find out how to best protect yourself and your property.  

July Home Maintenance Tasks

You purchase insurance in order to protect your home but there are other things you can do to protect your large investment as well.

Regular home maintenance is important and frequently overlooked.  We tend to forget about our HVAC system until it quits working on a hot day! 

That's why we're providing a few simple tasks you can do each month to keep your home in tip top shape all year long.

Here's where you can get started in July:

• Do an energy audit.  Hot weather is a great time to find all the spots in your home where air may be sneaking in.  Plugging those leaks can save as much as 20% on your heating and cooling bills!  

• Looks at every door and window area for places where you can see daylight through a crack or feel a draft.  Don't forget the mail slots and fireplaces too!   

• If you'd rather use a professional, contact your utility company for a recommendation on a home energy auditor.

• Protect your patio furniture.  You probably have all of your nice outdoor furniture in use right now. Make sure to take a few minutes to clean it each week and it will last for many more years.  

• Check the tags on pillows and cushions for specific cleaning instructions and regularly hose down the furniture itself. Remember, patio cushions are a favorite place for busy squirrels so try to keep them protected!  

Save on Home Insurance.  If we don't currently insure your home, call us 973-948-3200 for a quote today. We'll look for every possible discount without sacrificing important coverage.  Great insurance coverage is the best protection you can have!

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.