But once I invested, nightmare unfolded after a year.

You'll get some weird looks at first but once I have the owner in front of me or on the phone that is when the deal begins to unfold. 

I’ll keep updating as the situation unfolds.

And they are actually pretty affordable (look at Palmetto State Armory or Kentucky Gun Company) at ~$400.But back to this thread, this weapon would clearly not work for concealed carry and I doubt you could unfold it and chamber a round in time to fire at a charging bear.

I will absolutely keep you all updated as the process unfolds in order to share lessons.

People got mezmerized by big checks from flipping homes they did nothing to it - as seen in so many ways in the exuberance of 2004-2006, now cash flow is the new god and it leads down the same path at the end - it just takes longer to unfold and it's therefore harder to see. 

I am interested in seeing how this unfolds so hopefully we get some good responses from other members. 

As @Steven Hamilton II points out - if you got insurance money, it was reimbursed - and therefore can't be claimed as a casualty loss deduction.If your casualty happened in a federally declared disaster area you can apply the casualty loss to the previous year's tax return (by filing an amended return) and it might get some money in your hands sooner. https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p547.pdfThe situation is continuing to unfold, so unless you were desperate, I'd wait.

And, from that the "balance" you asked about tends to unfold naturally.

@Adam M.I am curious to hear how this unfolded a few years later for you.