Consumer complaint received 2020-07-25
Company: AmeriHome Mortgage Company, LLC
State: IL
Product: Mortgage
Sub-product: Conventional home mortgage
Issue: Trouble during payment process

Complaint:
In XX/XX/XXXX, I received a notification that I was in a Special Flood Hazard Area ( SFHA ) from my mortgage company Amerihome. I began to research, as when I purchased the property in XX/XX/XXXX, I was not in a flood zone. I have done everything in my power to prove to my insurance company I have never been in a flood zone. As of today, they have not acted. Im currently paying over {$300.00} per month ( during a pandemic! ) for insurance that I dont need. So far, Ive paid over {$2700.00}. I need assistance. The next step is a lawyer. 

I have taken the following steps to resolve : I looked up on FEMAs website if I was in a flood zone. I am not. 
I contacted Amerihome and told them I wasnt in a flood zone. They stated that they received notification from FEMA that I was reassigned to SFHA and I asked for proof. To this date, I have never received it. They told me I would have to get a Letter of Map Amendment ( LOMA ) from FEMA stating I wasnt a in flood zone. ( It is hard to get an amendment of a map that doesnt need amending! ) I called a surveyor to see what I would need to do to prove that I was not in a flood zone. I would have to proceed with the full LOMA process including getting an expensive survey and filling out extensive paperwork to prove a negative. He stated it would cost me approximately {$5000.00}. They also confirmed that according to county records, I was not in a flood zone. 
In XXXX of XXXX, I noticed that my mortgage had increased by {$340.00}. Upon further research, I discovered that I was erroneously provided Flood Insurance by my mortgage company for {$2000.00} and that it had been added to my escrow account. 
I called Amerihome and they stated that I could get my own cheaper insurance and receive a refund on my escrow while I waited for the LOMA. 
I called my insurance company to get flood insurance. They could not provide me with flood insurance because I was not in a flood zone according to their research with FEMA. 
I called Amerihome and made inquiries as to why I wasnt provided notification that they were proceeding with providing me flood insurance even though they couldnt prove that I was in a flood zone. They stated they sent me a certified letter. I never received. 
I called Amerihome several times between XX/XX/XXXX XX/XX/XXXX to try and resolve. They insisted they had proof from FEMA and that they would mail to me. They once said that they mailed it but to the wrong address. ( My mortgage company told me they didnt have my home address! ). 
In XX/XX/XXXX, my condo association passed on a FEMA letter that she received from someone else in my condominium complex. My neighbor had ( somehow! ) got FEMA to state that my building never was in a flood zone. 
I was elated that I had proof and I contacted Amerihome to find out the official process. They informed me I needed to send the letter and documentation via email. So, I did. Twice. 
o XXXX emailed o XXXX received confirmation of receipt of email o XXXX received email saying being researched o XXXX emailed again o XXXX received confirmation of receipt of email o XXXX received email saying documents being forwarded Im at a loss at what to do next besides contacting a lawyer. Im asking for assistance. Please help. Thank you.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation