Yes. Every FENSA-registered installer must provide an Insurance Backed Guarantee (IBG) on every domestic double glazing installation that is self-certified with FENSA— this has been a requirement since 6 June 2014. It isn’t just a FENSA nice-to-have: financial protection for the homeowner is a condition of the Competent Person Scheme itself. The minimum cover is 6 years from completion.
| Quick answer: An Insurance Backed Guarantee is a condition of FENSA registration for domestic work. Since 6 June 2014, every domestic job you notify through FENSA must carry one, for a minimum of 6 years from completion, from a provider on FENSA’s approved list. The same rule applies to CERTASS and Assure. |
What exactly does the FENSA rule say?
FENSA is a Competent Person Scheme (CPS). It lets you self-certify that your work meets Building Regulations instead of paying the council to inspect every job. The government sets the conditions the scheme runs on. Those conditions require financial protection for the homeowner for every domestic double-glazing installation that is self-certified through a Competent Person Scheme (CPS). In glazing, that protection is the Insurance Backed Guarantee.
Before the rule change on 6 June 2014, installers only had to offer an Insurance Backed Guarantee. Since the rule change, installers must provide one on every domestic installation that is self-certified through a CPS.
Glass News reported the change at the time: “It is no longer an option simply to offer an IBG — every homeowner must be given one for every installation.”
The minimum cover is 6 years from completion. In practice, most installers issue 10-year written guarantees, so 10-year Insurance Backed Guarantees are common place.
Why does the rule exist?
Because self-certification only works if the homeowner is protected when things go wrong. A company written guarantee is a promise from the installer. If the installer then ceases trading, the guarantee has nobody left to honour it.
The Insurance Backed Guarantee closes that gap. If the installing company ceases to trade as defined in the policy wording, the insurer steps in to honour valid claims under the original guarantee, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy. That protection is what the government asked the glazing schemes to build in. And it’s why the requirement sits at scheme level.
Which jobs require an Insurance Backed Guarantee — and which are exempt?
The requirement covers domestic dwellings that you self-certify through your Competent Person Scheme. Here are some examples that sit outside it:
Commercial glazing — shops, offices, factories. No requirement.
Housing association and local authority properties — no requirement, though you do need to offer an insurance backed guarantee.
Non-certifiable installations — installations you wouldn’t necessarily be registering with FENSA, for example, doors with less than 50% glazing.
With HomePro, if you’ve registered Commercial etc work with FENSA, when those BRCCs come through for IBGs, you simply mark these jobs in your member portal, so no policy gets issued against them. Everything else — every private domestic job you notify — needs an Insurance Backed Guarantee.
What do you have to do on each job?
Less than you might think, depending on your provider. The sequence is:
Complete the job and issue your company written guarantee, as you do now.
Notify the job to FENSA, as you do now. FENSA records the Building Regulations Compliance Certificate (BRCC).
An Insurance Backed Guarantee from a provider on FENSA’s approved list must sit behind that certificate.
With HomePro, step 3 happens by itself as we do auto-issuing, which means FENSA sends your BRCC data across each week. The insurance backed guarantee issues automatically. You don’t have to key the same job in twice. See how auto-issue works for the full walkthrough.
One thing you don’t do: sell or explain the insurance to your customer. You’re not an insurance intermediary. Your quote simply states the job comes inclusive of an Insurance Backed Guarantee, and any customer questions go to your HomePro account manager or provider if you’re not with HomePro.
Does the same rule apply to CERTASS and Assure?
Yes. All three glazing Competent Person Schemes run under the same government-set conditions. The requirement stays identical whichever scheme you register with. HomePro auto-issues from FENSA, CERTASS and Assure alike.
What happens if you don’t provide Insurance Backed Guarantees?
In short, you can’t properly register the certificate with your Competent Person Scheme. You’re in breach of scheme rules — which puts your registration itself at risk. FENSA has warned publicly that failure to provide Insurance Backed Guarantees can lead to expulsion, and an expelled installer can’t simply re-register with another glazing scheme.
The full consequences. And what to do if you’ve missed one — are covered in What happens if I don’t issue an IBG on a FENSA job?
Registered with FENSA, CERTASS or Assure and want your Insurance Backed Guarantees issued automatically with every notified job? Call HomePro on 0800 131 0500 (Mon–Fri, 9:00am–5:00pm) or join now. |
Frequently asked questions
Is an Insurance Backed Guarantee (IBG) mandatory for FENSA registration?
Yes, for domestic work that you self-certify with FENSA. Since 6 June 2014, every domestic installation notified through FENSA must carry an Insurance Backed Guarantee with a minimum of 6 years’ cover, from a provider on FENSA’s approved list.
When did the FENSA IBG rule start?
6 June 2014, when the government-set conditions for glazing Competent Person Schemes changed. Before that date, installers only had to offer an Insurance Backed Guarantee. Since then, they must provide one on every domestic job.
Do I need an Insurance Backed Guarantee for commercial glazing jobs?
No. The requirement covers domestic dwellings only — commercial work, housing association and local authority properties sit outside it.
How long must a FENSA Insurance Backed Guarantee last?
A minimum of 6 years from completion. Most installers issue 10-year written guarantees, and most Double Glazing Insurance Backed Guarantees also have a maximum of 10 years.
Can I choose any IBG provider?
No. The provider must be on FENSA’s approved list. You choose which approved provider you use. You’re not assigned one. HomePro is on the list and auto-issues policies from your FENSA notifications.
Must I explain the Insurance Backed Guarantee to my customer?
No. Installers aren’t insurance intermediaries. You can’t sell, advise on or explain the insurance. Your quote states the job comes inclusive of an Insurance Backed Guarantee, you pass on the customer-facing materials your provider supplies, and questions go to your account manager.
HomePro auto-issues Insurance Backed Guarantees for FENSA, CERTASS and Assure members — no double keying, no missed jobs.
Join over 2,000 UK installers: call 0800 131 0500 or join today.
Disclaimer: This post is for general information only. It is not financial, legal or insurance advice. While we take care to make sure the information is accurate, scheme rules, legal requirements and third-party details can change without notice — always check the latest position with the relevant scheme or official body before acting on anything here. HomePro accepts no liability for any loss arising from errors or omissions in, or reliance on, the information in this article. Insurance Backed Guarantees are subject to the terms, conditions and limitations of the individual policy.
