On the heels of another short-term extension for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), two national industry groups say they are pleased the initiative will continue, but seek greater certainty of its future.

On Oct. 30, Congress agreed to extend the program through Dec. 18 as part of a continuing resolution to maintain the NFIP’s current spending. The resolution, approved by both the House and Senate, was part of an appropriations bill for the U.S. Department of the Interior.

This is now the third time this year a short-term extension of the program has been signed by President Barack Obama, a fact not lost on The National Association of Professional Insurance Agents, who praised the extension, but wants more permanent action taken.

“These stop-gap, short term extensions to the NFIP are due to the fact that a comprehensive reform measure is still awaiting action, but has been crowded out of the Congressional calendar by more pressing matters,” said PIA National Director of Federal Affairs Mike Becker in a statement.

Becker added that many mortgage lenders require flood insurance prior to real estate closings and that Congress is creating an “air of uncertainty,” triggering additional legal obligations regarding notice to consumers and current NFIP policyholders about the pending lapse.

“Congress needs to stop playing Russian roulette with the nation’s real estate market and consumer confidence by granting such short extensions to the NFIP,” he said.

A long-term extension to the program has centered around proposals to add coverage to wind damage, something Rep. Gene Taylor (D-Miss.) has encouraged through is Multiple Peril Insurance Act, which would allow homeowners to buy a single policy from the NFIP covering wind and flood damage. Reform has also been stalled over forgiving nearly $20 billion in debt amassed by the program due to catastrophic storms in 2004 and 2005, including Hurricane Katrina.

The PIA said it opposes the addition of wind coverage in the NFIP and supports debt forgiveness.

“Congress has a lot on its plate at the moment and since lawmakers don’t have time to conduct hearings on reforms to the flood program, the program should be extended for at least another six months so that hearings can be held in a sufficiently deliberative manner,” Becker said.

A similar call, praising Congress’ action and seeking a lengthier extension, also came from the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies and its senior vice president of federal and political affairs, Jimi Grande.

“While there’s certainly no shortage of important issues on Congress’ plate, we hope lawmakers will enact meaningful reforms that will protect homeowners without intruding on areas like windstorm coverage that are already being served by the private market,” Grande said in a statement.