Surprise Flood Insurance Letter on Oahu? How We Used a LOMA to Cut Ours by $2,500 a Year
Quick answer: If FEMA's new flood map put your Oahu home in a flood zone it does not belong in, you can ask FEMA to correct it with a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). Tim and I did exactly that, and our insurance dropped by about $2,500 a year.
What happened to us
It started with a letter in the mail. We were told our insurance costs were going up because flood insurance had been added to our policy, and it was mandatory. The reason: FEMA had changed its flood map.
The problem was that our home is nowhere near any kind of drainage. It did not make sense to us. It sounds like a lot of Oahu homeowners may be feeling that same frustration right now.
So we asked ourselves a simple question: what can we do about it? The answer was a LOMA. We went online, submitted our request through FEMA, and asked them to correct the map for our home. FEMA changed it, and we just had our insurance reduced by about $2,500 a year.
We are sharing this because we want to help as many Oahu homeowners as we can. Every property is different, and not every home will qualify, so please read on to see how it works.
Why are homes being added to flood zones?
FEMA's updated flood maps for Oahu took effect on June 10, 2026. They reflect a flood risk study that ran from 2019 to 2024. According to Hawaii Public Radio, the update moves nearly 4,000 properties into a designated flood zone. The City and County of Honolulu says Laie, Kaneohe and East Honolulu are expected to be the most affected areas, and encourages all homeowners to check.
If you have a federally backed mortgage and your home lands in a high-risk flood zone, flood insurance is required. Lenders send notices, and the City says that if you do not buy a policy within 45 days, your lender may buy one for you, which can cost more or offer weaker coverage.
Maps are drawn on a broad scale. That means a home sitting on higher ground can still end up inside a mapped flood zone. That is exactly what a LOMA is for.
What is a LOMA?
A Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) is FEMA's official determination that a property is not in the Special Flood Hazard Area, even though the map shows it inside. FEMA says you must be able to show that the lowest adjacent grade of your home is at or above the Base Flood Elevation shown on the current flood map.
How do you request a LOMA?
Step 1: Check your flood zone. Honolulu's flood map viewer lets you look up your property and compare the maps. You can open it here:
Step 2: Gather your documents. FEMA asks for your property deed or plat map, a tax or parcel map, and elevation information. Elevation information usually means an Elevation Certificate from a licensed surveyor or engineer. In some cases government LiDAR data can work, but FEMA says not all of it meets LOMA standards, so confirm with FEMA first.
Step 3: Apply online through FEMA's Letter of Map Change (LOMC) tool. FEMA calls this the fastest option, with real-time status and email updates. FEMA does not charge a fee to submit a LOMA application.
Step 4: Watch your status and respond quickly. If FEMA asks for more information, answering promptly keeps things moving. FEMA says nearly all determinations are issued within 35 days of receiving your application, and incomplete applications take longer.
Step 5: Share your determination letter with your insurance agent and your lender. That is how you find out what changes for your premium. FEMA says the amendment stays with the property when you sell it, unless flood risk, the building or the property changes.
One important tip: the City says your current flood designation stays in effect while FEMA reviews your request. Please talk to your lender and insurance agent before changing or cancelling any coverage.
Questions homeowners ask
Do I pay FEMA to apply? FEMA does not charge to process a LOMA. If you need an Elevation Certificate, a licensed surveyor may charge for preparing it.
Will my lender accept the LOMA? Your lender makes that call, so ask them what they need. Bring your FEMA determination letter.
What if my home really is low-lying? Then a LOMA may not apply. Ask your insurance agent about discounts for newly mapped properties, and ask the City or FEMA about other options.
Where can I get help with the FEMA process? FEMA's Mapping and Insurance eXchange (FMIX) can be reached at 1-877-336-2627 or FEMA-FMIX@fema.dhs.gov.
Could this be happening to you? What did your letter say, and how did it feel to get it? If you want help finding your flood zone or understanding the FEMA form, message me. I will walk through it with you. No pressure.
FEMA LOMA information: https://www.fema.gov/flood-maps/change-your-flood-zone/loma-lomr-f
Honolulu flood map information: https://www.honolulu.gov/dpp/resources/fema-flood-insurance-rate-maps-information/
Learn more: https://www.coastalhe.com
Ana-Maria Contis (B)
Coastal Homes & Estates, brokered by eXp Realty
808-800-7821
This is general information, not legal, tax or insurance advice. Our result is not a guarantee. Eligibility depends on your property's elevation and FEMA's review. Please confirm details with FEMA, your insurer and your lender.
Sources: FEMA, Requesting a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA); City and County of Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting, New FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps to Take Effect on June 10; Hawaii Public Radio, Oahu's new flood maps could cost you (April 24, 2026).
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