My Apartment Burned Down. My Parents Said, “Not Our Problem.” Then the Fire Investigator Called.

loss.”

“Thank you, but you didn’t bring me here for condolences.”

He sighed, slid a folder across the table. I opened it. My policy—standard stuff. My name as the insured, coverage amounts, effective dates. Then I turned to the last page.

Beneficiary designation: Richard Carter, Patricia Carter, 100%.

The room tilted.

“This is a mistake,” I heard myself continue reading …