VIDEO: Insurance woes delay the 2023 wildfire rebuild

Insurance is supposed to be a comfort after a big loss.

But some residents who lost their homes in the massive McDougall Creek fire last year are finding the claim process is bringing them to tears all over again.

Home builder Adam Galbraith with ARG Contracting is set to begin work on four homes in the Royal Heights area.

"We're excited here," he said.

But he points out that many homeowners haven't been so lucky.

There have only been a few residents who have gotten to the point where they can start rebuilding.

"What I would say is it's the insurance," said Galbraith.

The biggest problem is valuations on homes that don't reflect today's building costs.

"I did have a gentleman call me five weeks ago who had been offered 540 thousand to rebuild a $1.4 million house," said Galbraith.

"The guy was in tears asking me to buy his land and when you hear those things it makes you sick to your stomach."

He said negotiating with insurance companies has been difficult.

"Insurance really delays on giving out that money," he explained.

"Their job is to make money too, so you've got to be your own advocate, unfortunately."

Galbraith says homeowners should be taking note, and checking their own policies.

"Making sure your house is covered," he said.

"Making sure that you've done recent appraisals to make sure your house value is still what it is."

It's his hope that people get a better understanding of their insurance, before they need to depend on it.

"How do we help people to not be in that situation ever again?"

Galbraith said people who have undergone major renovations have an added reason to update their insurance information.

"New countertops, new cabinets, new whatever, getting someone in to do an appraisal so that your value is current with current prices is super relevant."

For some homeowners, the loss of a home feels tragic.

"It's been quite an emotional, distressed time for them to go through that," he said.

"And then dealing with insurance on top of that has put on even more stress."

Galbraith expects to begin excavation on his projects within the next few weeks.

The McDougall Creek complex of fires destroyed 189 homes and another 150 units at Lake Okanagan Resort.