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Insights, Tips & Insurance Updates

Stay informed with the latest from First State Insurance Agency. Our blog features expert tips, industry news, and helpful guides on everything from auto and home coverage to business, farm, and life insurance. Whether you’re looking to better understand your policy or keep up with changes in the insurance world, our blog is here to help you make confident, informed decisions.

Dump Truck Insurance Costs in 2026: Average Rates and Cost Factors

Dump truck insurance cost is one of the biggest operating expenses owner-operators and fleet managers face, and the numbers have climbed sharply over the past few years. Whether you run a single-axle truck on local construction jobs or a fleet of tandem and tri-axle rigs hauling aggregate across state lines, what you pay depends on a specific set of variables

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When Sole Proprietors Still Need Workers’ Comp and When a Ghost Policy Helps

Workers’ compensation insurance for sole proprietors is one of those topics that sounds straightforward until you’re sitting across from a general contractor who won’t let you on the job site without a certificate of insurance. Whether you’re a one-person operation or just starting to bring on help, understanding when you actually need coverage (and what kind) can save you a

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What Happens If You Outlive Your Term Life Insurance Policy?

When term life insurance expires and you are still alive, the policy matures on its expiration date, your coverage ends, your premiums stop, and your beneficiaries receive no death benefit. A standard level term policy builds no cash value, so you also get no refund of the premiums you paid unless you bought a return-of-premium rider. That is the expected

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Can You Have Multiple Life Insurance Policies? (And Should You?)

Yes, you can have multiple life insurance policies, from one insurer or from two or more insurers. There is no cap on the count of policies you own, but there is a cap on how much total coverage insurers will approve: each insurer sets that limit through financial underwriting based on your income, age, and existing coverage, and that limit

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How Long Does an Insurance Claim Take? (Auto, Home, and Health)

Most insurance claims are decided within about 30 days, with simple claims paying out in 1 to 2 weeks and complex claims taking several months or longer. The timeline varies by insurance type, by state, and by whether a claim involves injuries or disputed liability. Across auto, home, and health, the decide-versus-pay split matters. State law regulates how long an

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