Skip to Content

Our Process

Put our flood expertise to work for you.

Our flood map change experts are nationally accredited Certified Floodplain Managers, which means they’ve gained the knowledge and credibility to speak as peers with industry professionals. Because these top-level flood compliance experts fully understand the intricacies of the application process, you can rest easy while they handle all the details.

The Letter of Map Change review

Before we submit your LOMC application to FEMA, we utilize our vast flood information resources to be sure your property is a prime candidate for approval. In fact, we’re so confident in our analysis that you pay nothing to us unless you receive an LOMC issued from FEMA.

It only takes a few minutes to request a free property evaluation through our online form. Once you submit your request and provide us with the Elevation Certificate, one of our LOMC experts reviews your paperwork and performs various quality checks. We’ll contact you as soon as we know the probability for your property’s receipt of an LOMC.

In the event that fill dirt has been placed on your property to raise the building site above the Base Flood Elevation, FEMA requires a $425 processing fee which is paid directly to the NFIP, not to First American. We’ll also advise you as to whether we believe this will be necessary.

The Letter of Map Change application process

From start to finish, you can rely on our LOMC experts to handle everything: from filling out the LOMC application, to fielding phone calls with community officials and FEMA representatives.

You can depend on First American to sweat the details, so you don’t have to. Here’s what we do for you:

  • Fill out the FEMA Letter of Map Change application.
  • Contact your community to obtain all the necessary legal documents.
  • Create an exhibit for FEMA using community Tax Maps, Aerial Photography, FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps, and legal information on the property.
  • Track the application and handle all correspondence with FEMA regarding requests for additional information necessary to complete the review.
  • Upon receipt of a removal letter, we’ll send you a copy of the FEMA-issued LOMC stating the flood zone on your property.

The entire process normally takes approximately 6–8 weeks. If the request is approved, then FEMA will send out an official letter that removes the building or property from the high-risk flood zone.

After the Letter of Map Change is issued

Now that you’ve received your LOMC, just follow these easy steps:

  1. Send a copy of the LOMC to your mortgage company. Confirm with your lender whether the flood insurance requirement is waived. Ask for a letter stating that flood insurance is no longer required for your loan.
  2. Send the LOMC and mortgage company letter to your flood insurance provider and request a refund of any eligible premium. 
  3. Ask about a Preferred Risk Policy through our insurance agency at (800) 862-2070.