Our History

Established in 1924 by founder Hap Holmes who was joined in 1934 by Marshall McDowell, Holmes & McDowell began serving both the commercial and personal insurance needs of a then-rural local community.

As the landscape changed over the years, so did the agency: employee count grew to its present-day staff of 13 owners, producers, and Account Management Specialists: the number of insurance companies represented increased from one (who we continue to represent to this day) to more than 10 highly rated commercial and personal lines carriers; and an ongoing commitment to the most current technology systems has allowed us to serve our customers timely and efficiently as well as to bring them meaningful value-added services, including the convenience to conduct business with us on a 24/7 basis.

From providing basic business insurance for an early 20th century local merchant, Holmes & McDowell has gained the expertise to now offer customized and advanced insurance programs for commercial clients throughout New Jersey and beyond---such programs are available for a wide variety of clients/potential clients such as Municipalities, School Boards, Volunteer Emergency Services, Social Services, Contractors, Technology, Restaurants and Automobile Service accounts as well as Retail and Professional Office programs. From protecting the local homeowner of a sleepy farming community, we now offer quality products that meet the more complex insurance needs of today’s individuals and families. Through our Personal Lines Department we provide highly competitive Homeowners, Personal Auto, Personal Umbrella, and Life Insurance policies plus insurance protection for clients’ Watercraft, Motorcycles, Mobile Homes, Recreational Vehicles and Antique/Collectible Vehicles.

Throughout the years we have become more sophisticated in order to meet the insurance needs of an increasingly complex society; however, much the same as Mr. Holmes & Mr. McDowell had done over 80 years ago, the agency that still bears their name and continues to serve clients with the same ideals that made them successful in their time. [Return to: About US page]