As the California wildfires begin to subside, tens of thousands of displaced residents face difficult decisions about their future. Rebuilding, selling land, navigating insurance claims, finding temporary housing, and even choosing whether to remain in fire-prone areas are all pressing concerns. The scale of the disaster, with over 10,000 households impacted, presents unique challenges.
As the flames of California history’s most damaging winter began to cool, decision times were about to arrive for tens of thousands of the state’s newest homeless.
Do they rebuild, or do they sell the land long occupied by their ravaged homes? Do they settle for what insurance companies are willing to pass out, or hire a lawyer? With insurance companies bringing claims adjusters from around the nation, many of them unfamiliar with California conditions, do they hire a public adjuster to fight lowball damage evaluations?
But what about folks in their 70s and 80s? One 85-year-old Pacific Palisades resident whose longtime home burned down said he would rebuild. Noting he would be about 90 when that project ends, he said, “So I’ll be 90? So what?” Whether in Northern California or Southern California, in a forest or along the ocean, reporters visiting the blackened scenes of fires a week or two after blazes end often are told by determined residents, “This is the price of living in paradise. We knew the risk and we’re coming back.”
There will be scams and gouging galore, even though some hotels and merchants now are offering deep discounts to fire evacuees. Some lawyers will demand unethically large percentages of insurance settlements. Imposter contractors will collect deposits, only to disappear.But California will also see displays of fortitude, courage, generosity and family closeness.
CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES HOMELESSNESS INSURANCE CLAIMS REBUILDING HOUSING SHORTAGE
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