First, I’m not gonna say I’m sorry, personally , I got so tired of hearing those words. What I will say is...it’s a journey. Be prepared to battle through some tough stuff, learn a ton and push through.
I want to give you two things you have to know immediately.
1. Don’t sign anything.
I mean it. After the first week of shock and buying underwear was behind us, I truly felt like I had a pretty good grasp on what I needed to do. Focus on insurance, find a rent house, keep the kids in school, keep our income safe and focus on the rebuild process. Check, check, check and check.
Thankfully, I had some wise people in my life that said, don’t you dare sign a thing without me seeing it. (My brother in law, Mark, so grateful!!)
I will say, the hyenas came out of the woods for sure! I simply told them, ‘I’m under strict guildlines to not sign anything, sorry but I have to have this reviewed.’
This is your life, don’t let anyone pressure you into anything. This advice saved me now looking back.
Plus, looking back, as I'm writing this, it’s been almost 3 years since our house burned down and I can honestly say, I don’t remember much about the first 6 months, post house fire. You are either in shock or you are just so consumed with so much, you cant remember it all!
Just trust me. Find a trusted source to run things by. If u don’t have anyone, that’s why I offer for people contact me if you need help. It’s so important.
2. If you have insurance, you have options they won’t ‘notifiy’ you of. Ask tons of questions.
I wore my insurance agent out. I apologized so often for asking more and more questions. That’s what they are there for. From rebuilding on your lot, selling your burned house as is, taking the profit and going somewhere else all together, renting a place, renting furniture or not (I recommend no!), how to manage your contents, the rebuild process, ahhh...its a lot, but you have options in each one of those categories. I am a very detailed oriented person and I had to make sure I asked all the questions possible...Im the insurance agent worst nightmare but your best resource!
I will write another blog on things to check off on your list to rebuild. Check back soon!
Hope this helps!
Brian
p.s. if u know someone who needs help, send them my blog and have them request to contact me. Be glad to help.