National Flood Insurance Program included in Senate vote

The National Flood Insurance Program has been included in a U.S. Senate vote to fund the federal government through Feb. 8.

The Senate voted 81-18 on Monday to reopen the government. The U.S. House of Representatives must next vote on the extension.

The NFIP officially lapsed over the weekend after the failure to reach a deal in Congress to prevent the federal government from shutting down.

The lapse led the Department of Homeland Security to reissue guidance to NFIP Write Your Own insurance companies, servicing agents and vendors about how to handle the lapse, including a ban keeping these insurers from issuing policies for new business or requests to increase or add coverage during the lapse. In addition, WYO companies are not allowed to issue renewal notices during the lapse, according to the department’s guidance.