Earlier this week, the U.S. Senate passed legislation that included an extension for the federal flood insurance program until the 28th of March. The extension means that the NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) can once again issue new policies, something it hasn’t been able to do since its authorization expired at midnight last Friday. The issuing of new and renewal policies has now resumed.

Brad Carroll, press secretary with FEMA, said in a statement, “This reauthorization allows for policies to continue to be issued and renewed. Individuals who were seeking to renew their policies or purchase a new policy during the brief period between February 28 and March 2, when the NFIP was not reauthorized, may now proceed with their purchase. Existing policies were not impacted by the brief lapse in Congressional authorization and continue uninterrupted.”

On February 26, the NFIP had issued a memo that included guidelines for operations during a hiatus, but the several-day hiatus that followed almost immediately did not affect any claims payouts.

Other programs reauthorized through this emergency legislation include COBRA benefits and unemployment insurance.

The National Flood Insurance Program currently covers about 5 million people.

Tags: cobra insurance, flood insurance