• This FEMA Change Could Impact Your Premiums
    Oct 15 2026
    FEMA’s approach to flood insurance pricing is changing, and it could mean significant premium differences for homeowners.Lisa Sharrard explains FEMA’s shift from “FEMA Determined” to “FEMA Assumed” first-floor heights and what it could mean for new flood insurance quotes. In this episode, Lisa covers:
    • Why FEMA stopped using a third-party vendor to determine first-floor height
    • What FEMA Assumed foundation heights mean
    • How the change may affect flood insurance premiums
    • Why elevation certificates may become more important
    • What homeowners need to know about Sections A, B, C and H
    • How an elevation certificate could potentially help lower premiums
    • What to check on your current flood insurance quote
    • What to consider before making changes to an application
    Lisa also discusses potential premium differences ranging from hundreds to several thousand dollars, depending on the property, and why clear communication from FEMA is needed as the industry works to understand the change.


    Have questions about your flood insurance quote? Talk with your insurance professional and check whether your first-floor height is listed as FEMA Assumed or FEMA Determined.


    Subscribe to Simply Flood for practical information about flood insurance, flood risk, mitigation and protecting your home.#FloodInsurance #FEMA #NFIP #FloodInsurancePricing #FloodRisk #ElevationCertificate #SimplyFlood

    Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/floodadvocate/


    This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Please consult with a professional for specific advice tailored to your situation. Information on the topics discussed that are subject to change due to ongoing research and new discoveries, programmatic, regulatory and/or congressional change. Always consult current sources. The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host/guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency or company or our sponsors.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    4 mins
  • What Homeowners Don't Know About the Flood Claim Process
    Sep 29 2026
    Flood damage can be overwhelming, but knowing how the flood insurance claims process works can make a major difference.Host Lisa Sharrard sits down with experienced flood adjusters Keith Fountain and Clinton Miller of Fountain Group Adjusters to break down what homeowners, insurance agents, and flood insurance professionals need to know about navigating a flood claim.From documenting damage before cleanup begins to understanding how adjusters prioritize catastrophe claims, this conversation provides practical insight into what happens after a flood and how policyholders can be better prepared.In this episode, we discuss:• How to prepare for a flood claim before a loss ever happens• What homeowners should do during the first 48 hours after filing a claim• Why photos and documentation are critical to a successful flood claim• What evidence homeowners often fail to preserve• How to document personal property and building damage• Why damaged items shouldn't automatically be thrown away• NFIP vs. private flood insurance claims• How flood adjusters prioritize claims after a catastrophe• What homeowners can realistically expect regarding claim timelines• Replacement cost vs. actual cash value• The role of independent and public adjusters• What happens when a flood claim is denied or underpaid• The FEMA flood claim appeals process• Supplemental claims and requests for additional payment• Common documentation mistakes that can affect a claim• Why prior flood claims and completed repairs need to be documentedKeith Fountain and Clinton Miller bring decades of flood claims experience to the conversation, offering insight into the claims process from the adjuster's perspective. Check out Fountain Group Adjusters at https://fgclaims.com/.▶️ Watch and subscribe on Youtube https://lnkd.in/eSc88CEh🎧 Listen to the latest episode of Simply Flood wherever you get your podcasts.🌟 Thank you to our supporting sponsor, National General! Check them out and request a quote at https://nationalgeneral.com/🌟 And thank you to our premium sponsor, Choice Flood Insurance LLC! Check them out at https://lnkd.in/eBXuvGy8 and schedule a consultation to learn more about how Choice can protect your home from flood.#FloodInsurance #FloodClaims #NFIP #FloodDamage #InsuranceClaims #FEMA #FloodRecovery #InsuranceAgents #ClaimsAdjuster #FloodRisk #InsuranceAdjusting #CFM #ANFI #NCAFPM #ASFPM #IIANC #FAIA #ExtremeWeather #SimplyFlood #FloodplainManagement #FloodRisk #FloodAwareness #Podcast #Flood #Floodplain #CFM #ANFI #NCAFPM #ASFPM #IIANC #FAIA #LargeLoss #EmergencyResponse #CommercialRestoration #WaterDamage #DesiccantDrying #DisasterRecovery #Mitigation #Teamwork #RestorationIndustry #ClaimsAdjusting#FloodInsurance #FloodClaims #NFIP #FloodDamage #InsuranceClaims #FEMA #FloodRecovery #InsuranceAgents #ClaimsAdjuster #FloodRiskConnect with Lisa on LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/floodadvocate/This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Please consult with a professional for specific advice tailored to your situation. Information on the topics discussed that are subject to change due to ongoing research and new discoveries, programmatic, regulatory and/or congressional change. Always consult current sources. The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host/guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency or company or our sponsors. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    43 mins
  • Flood Mitigation: What Homeowners Need to Know After a Flood
    Sep 22 2026

    After a flood, the clock is ticking—and the decisions you make during the first few days can affect how your claim is handled.


    In this episode of The Simply Flood Podcast, Lisa sits down with Craig Fowler of CNC Catastrophe and National Claims, who has more than 30 years of experience in the claims industry, to talk about one of the most important, and often misunderstood, parts of a flood claim: structural drying and mitigation.


    Craig explains what homeowners should know before signing a contract with a mitigation company, why documentation matters, and how drying logs can affect what gets reimbursed under a flood policy.


    One of the biggest takeaways? Don't wait until a flood happens to learn how your flood insurance works. Understanding your coverage and responsibilities ahead of time can make an already difficult situation much easier to navigate.


    Check out these resources:


    - FEMA Drying Bulletin https://drive.google.com/file/d/16TR5KkY0WXtI00k29GPMXsO0Por6XZED/view?usp=sharing


    - FIMA/FEMA Appeal Decision C26 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VGs8pThMs1KSo0QNrmS3IKRsGH0CF1dC/view?usp=sharing


    🌟 And thank you to our premium sponsor, Choice Flood Insurance LLC! Check them out at https://choicefloodinsurance.com/ and schedule a consultation to learn more about how Choice can protect your home from flood.


    #SimplyFlood #FloodInsurance #FloodplainManagement #FloodRisk #FloodAwareness #Podcast #Flood #Floodplain #CFM #ANFI #NCAFPM #ASFPM #IIANC #FAIA #LargeLoss #EmergencyResponse #CommercialRestoration #WaterDamage #DesiccantDrying #DisasterRecovery #Mitigation #Teamwork #RestorationIndustry

    Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/floodadvocate/


    This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Please consult with a professional for specific advice tailored to your situation. Information on the topics discussed that are subject to change due to ongoing research and new discoveries, programmatic, regulatory and/or congressional change. Always consult current sources. The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host/guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency or company or our sponsors.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    47 mins
  • Storm Surge, Flood History & Hidden Risk
    Sep 1 2026

    In this episode, Lisa Sharrard sits down with “Hurricane Hal” Needham, Extreme Weather and Disaster Scientist with GeoTrek and Founder of U-Surge, to explore what history can teach us about flood risk—and why the past may reveal dangers that maps and hurricane categories often miss.


    From chasing hurricanes and experiencing the eye of Hurricane Ian firsthand to building comprehensive historical storm surge data, Hal shares the personal journey that led him into the world of extreme weather and disaster science.


    Lisa and Hal dive into the surprising gaps in storm surge data, why hurricane category doesn't always tell the full story, lessons from Hurricane Katrina, and how historical flood records, high-water marks, old photographs, and community stories can help us better understand future risk.


    They also tackle one of the biggest misconceptions in flood risk: just because you haven't flooded before—or you're outside a designated flood zone—doesn't mean you're safe.


    If you want to better understand storm surge, historical flooding, hurricane risk, and how communities can prepare for the next big event, this conversation is packed with insights you won't want to miss.


    🌊 Follow Hurricane Hal's work with GeoTrek as he explores extreme weather, natural disasters, and the stories behind them, at https://www.geo-trek.com/


    🌟 Thank you to our supporting sponsor, National General! Check them out and request a quote at https://nationalgeneral.com.


    🌟 And thank you to our premium sponsor, Choice Flood Insurance LLC! Check them out at https://choicefloodinsurance.com/ and schedule a consultation to learn more about how Choice can protect your home from flood.


    #FloodInsurance #FEMA #NFIP #FloodRisk #ExtremeWeather #FloodZone #FloodplainManagement #SimplyFlood #Floodplain #CFM #ANFI #NCAFPM #ASFPM #IIANC #FAIA

    Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/floodadvocate/


    This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Please consult with a professional for specific advice tailored to your situation. Information on the topics discussed that are subject to change due to ongoing research and new discoveries, programmatic, regulatory and/or congressional change. Always consult current sources. The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host/guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency or company or our sponsors.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    30 mins
  • Flood Insurance Explained: FEMA’s Hidden Resource, Claims, Appeals, & Flood Risk
    Aug 11 2026

    What does the future of flood insurance look like? And what can we learn from the people who helped shape it?


    In the first episode of the Simply Flood Podcast, Lisa sits down with Dave Stearrett, former FEMA Flood Insurance Advocate, and Austin Perez of the National Association of REALTORS® to break down what homeowners, policyholders, real estate professionals, and insurance agents need to know about flood insurance.


    We explore:


    The FEMA Flood Insurance Advocate — What the office does, when to contact them, and how they can help policyholders who are frustrated or believe they haven't been treated fairly.


    Flood insurance claims & appeals — What to do when you disagree with a claim decision, why the formal FEMA appeals process matters, and where the Advocate’s Office fits in.


    Flood risk outside FEMA high-risk zones — Why being outside a mapped floodplain doesn't mean you're protected from flooding, including the risks of heavy rainfall and pluvial flooding.


    Why flood insurance matters — How having coverage can dramatically change the speed and financial impact of recovering from a flood.


    Common flood insurance myths — Does homeowners insurance cover flood? Do you really need flood insurance if you don't live near a river? What happens when you cancel your policy after paying off your mortgage?


    Building vs. contents coverage — Why a lender-required flood insurance policy may not provide the contents coverage you actually need.


    The National Association of REALTORS® and flood insurance — Austin Perez explains how NAR became involved in flood insurance reform, the controversy surrounding extremely high flood insurance rates, and the creation of the Office of the Flood Insurance Advocate.


    Flood insurance affordability & risk — We discuss how flood insurance rates have evolved, why accurate property information matters, and the importance of understanding your property's actual flood risk.


    Whether you're a homeowner, real estate professional, insurance agent, floodplain manager, or simply trying to understand flood insurance, this episode is packed with practical information from professionals who have spent decades working with the National Flood Insurance Program.


    Watch the full episode to learn why “low risk” doesn't mean “no risk” — and what resources are available when you need help navigating flood insurance.


    🌟 Thank you to our episode sponsor, FloodProofing.com! Check them out at https://www.floodproofing.com/ for all your floodproofing design and turnkey supply services.


    🌟 And thank you to our premium sponsor, Choice Flood Insurance LLC! Check them out at https://choicefloodinsurance.com/ and schedule a consultation to learn more about how Choice can protect your home from flood.


    #FloodInsurance #FEMA #NFIP #FloodRisk #FloodInsuranceClaims #FloodZone #FloodplainManagement #HomeownersInsurance #RealEstate #SimplyFlood #Floodplain

    Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/floodadvocate/


    This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Please consult with a professional for specific advice tailored to your situation. Information on the topics discussed that are subject to change due to ongoing research and new discoveries, programmatic, regulatory and/or congressional change. Always consult current sources. The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host/guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency or company or our sponsors.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    44 mins
  • Intro: The Simply Flood Podcast with Lisa Sharrard
    Aug 4 2026

    Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/floodadvocate/


    This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Please consult with a professional for specific advice tailored to your situation. Information on the topics discussed that are subject to change due to ongoing research and new discoveries, programmatic, regulatory and/or congressional change. Always consult current sources. The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host/guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency or company or our sponsors.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    1 min