Short answer: The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is authorized through December 11, 2026. If Congress doesn't extend it by then, the NFIP can't sell new policies or increase coverage until it does. Policies you already have stay in force. If you're buying or refinancing a home in Flood Zone A or AE and your lender requires flood insurance, get your policy bound before December 11, or line up a private flood policy as a backup now.
Congress hasn't passed a long-term NFIP reauthorization since 2012. It has passed dozens of short extensions instead, and it has let the program lapse several times. The most recent lapses ran from October 1 to November 12, 2025, and again from February 1 to 3, 2026. The current extension runs to December 11, 2026.
| During a lapse | NFIP | Private flood |
|---|---|---|
| Buy a new policy | Not available | Available |
| Increase coverage | Not available | Available |
| Existing policy stays in force | Yes, to the end of its term | Yes |
| Renew a policy | Only if the renewal premium arrives within the 30-day grace period | Normal renewal |
| Transfer (assign) the seller's policy to the buyer | Allowed | Depends on the carrier |
| Claims on existing policies | Still paid | Still paid |
Most past lapses were later fixed retroactively, but you can't close a loan on "probably."
Get the application and full premium to the insurer before the deadline. NFIP policies normally have a 30-day waiting period, but a policy tied to a loan closing can take effect at closing. Don't wait for the last week. Lenders, title companies and insurers all get backed up as the deadline gets close.
You have three paths:
Pay the renewal as soon as you get the notice. During a lapse, insurers can't send renewal notices, but a renewal premium received within the 30-day grace period can still renew the policy. Late payment after the grace period means no renewal until Congress acts.
I've worked through every NFIP lapse and government shutdown since 2018. In 2025, federal flood insurance was effectively unavailable for all of October and most of November. Closings stalled because nobody could promise when the NFIP would come back. Renewals were a mess: some insurers were processing about 90 days ahead, others left everything for a last-second scramble when the government reopened. During the shutdown we also couldn't process flood zone changes (LOMAs) or dispute determinations with FEMA. Private flood was the saving grace for a lot of buyers. Back in the December 2018 shutdown, private flood wasn't accepted by most lenders yet, so there was no backup at all. Today there is.
Need help before the deadline? Call (205) 451-4294 or request a quote. We quote both NFIP and private flood, so you'll know your backup before you need it. If your lender just told you you're in a flood zone, start with our Flood Zone AE guide.
December 11, 2026, unless Congress extends it.
No. It stays in force until the end of its term, and claims are still paid.
Often yes, by taking over the seller's NFIP policy or buying private flood insurance. Some lenders may close without coverage, but many won't.
No. New policies and coverage increases wait until Congress reauthorizes the program.
No. Private carriers keep writing policies during a lapse.