We provided them with Simpson’s award acknowledgment letter, which directly contradicted their statement. FloridaCommerce did not respond to further inquiries.

In their initial response, FloridaCommerce also stated that if flood insurance coverage lapses, the property would not be eligible for future federal disaster recovery assistance. That’s a lesson Simpson is learning the hard way. After being told by FloridaCommerce that there was no flood insurance, Simpson turned to FEMA for help. She received a letter from FEMA denying her application for disaster assistance because she didn’t maintain the required flood insurance.

“I cried, and I am still emotional about it because I still can’t do much of anything,” she said.