07/29/2026
🏠 Paying too much for flood insurance?
Your property may qualify for a FEMA flood map change.
Many Florida homeowners don’t realize that if their home was built on properly engineered fill and meets FEMA’s elevation requirements, they may be eligible to request that FEMA remove their property from the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA).
This process is called a Letter of Map Revision Based on Fill (LOMR-F). If approved, it may eliminate the federal requirement for flood insurance. However, your mortgage lender may still require flood insurance based on its own lending policies, so it’s important to check with your lender before beginning the process.
How the process generally works:
✔️ Hire a Licensed Surveyor
If you don’t already have a recent survey or the necessary elevation information, a licensed surveyor can determine whether your property may qualify.
✔️ Obtain an Elevation Certificate and Supporting Documentation
Many newer homes already have an Elevation Certificate from the builder. Depending on your property, FEMA may also require additional supporting documentation.
✔️ Submit a LOMR-F Application
Applications are submitted through FEMA’s Letter of Map Change (LOMC) Portal along with the required documentation and applicable FEMA fees.
✔️ FEMA Review
Once FEMA has a complete application, many determinations are issued in approximately 60 days.
A Few Important Things to Know
• A LOMR-F changes FEMA’s flood map designation for an eligible property—it does not eliminate flood risk.
• Even if FEMA approves the request, your mortgage lender may still require flood insurance as a condition of your loan.
• If flood insurance is no longer federally required, deciding whether to keep or cancel your policy is a personal financial decision based on your property’s flood risk, financial situation, and tolerance for risk.
As a real estate professional, I believe understanding flood zones, insurance requirements, and available options is one of the most valuable ways to help buyers and homeowners make informed decisions. Knowing the right questions to ask can potentially save thousands of dollars over the life of a home—but every property is unique, and it’s important to understand both the opportunities and the risks.
This post is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, engineering, surveying, insurance, or financial advice. Always consult the appropriate professionals regarding your specific property.
