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.

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