Husband and wife Charles and Carol Devereux, both filmmakers, are excited to have plans to fly to Paris to make a movie. But their plans are shattered, when suddenly while they are asleep, are hit by a devastating earthquake, thrusting them out of their bed. In less than one single minute the quake destroys their dream home, and changes their lives. They lose everything, but feel lucky to be alive. They seek refuge in a hotel full of other victims, colorful characters, freeloaders, and charlatans. Charles and Carol face ongoing struggles and conflicts on how to replace their losses, while living under the mercy of insurance adjustors and unreliable building contractors. Con artists try to take advantage of the emotionally distraught Charles and Carol, under the pretext to help them solve their problems, rebuild their home, or even promising to make them millionaires, by their hilarious or imaginative schemes. All are out to grab a share of the money from the deep pockets of Fema or the insurance companies. Difficult demands by the ever-changing parade of quirky insurance adjustors leave Charles and Carol never knowing how they can settle their claim, overcome their crises, and have a home to live in. Will they ever go back to their normal life again, despite all the anxiety, chaos, and uncertainty? They wish they knew.