Three different things protect a homeowner after installation work. They often get mixed up. A company written guarantee (workmanship guarantee) is your own written promise to fix faults in your work. A manufacturer’s warranty covers faults in the product itself. An Insurance Backed Guarantee (IBG) is an insurance policy that honours your workmanship guarantee if your company stops trading, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy.
| Quick answer: An Insurance Backed Guarantee (IBG) is an insurance policy that steps in to honour the installer’s own written workmanship guarantee if the installer’s company ceases to trade, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy. A manufacturer’s warranty covers faults in the product and comes from the product maker. A workmanship guarantee is the installer’s own written promise about the quality of the installation. Three different products, three different triggers, three different providers. |
In reference to the Insurance Backed Guarantees, one rule to remember: you’re not an insurance intermediary. You can’t explain, discuss or sell the Insurance Backed Guarantee to your customer. Your quote simply states the job comes inclusive of one. And any customer questions go to your HomePro account manager, if you’re with HomePro, or IBG provider.
What’s the difference at a glance?
This table is for you, not for your customer. It stops you promising cover that doesn’t exist. And it shows why each fault has one right claim route.
| Insurance Backed Guarantee | Manufacturer’s warranty | Workmanship guarantee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who provides it | An FCA-regulated provider such as HomePro | The product maker (window unit, panel, boiler brand) | You — the installer |
| What it covers | Your workmanship guarantee, if your company ceases to trade – linked to the policy terms and conditions. | Faults in the product itself, as per the manufacturers warranty. | Faults in your installation work and the materials you supplied, as per your company guarantee. |
| How long it lasts | Matches your written guarantee, up to the policy maximum — usually 10 years but trade dependent | Varies by product and manufacturer — often 5 to 25 years | Whatever you put in writing in your company guarantee — typically 5 to 10 years |
| What triggers a claim | Your company ceases trading, as defined in the policy wording, or any other trigger based on the policy wordings, while a valid claim exists. | A fault in how the product was made, as per the manufacturer warranty. | A fault covered by your own company guarantee. |
| Who puts it right | The insurer arranges the repair. | The manufacturer or their agent usually supply the replacement product. | Your business, at your cost. |
| Still valid if you stop trading? | Yes — based on the policy wordings. | Yes | No — unless an Insurance Backed Guarantee is in place. |
When does each one run out?
The three protections run out at different times. The table below shows a typical double glazing job: a 5-year manufacturer warranty on the units and a 10-year company written guarantee from you.
One thing to note first: a real contract rarely has one cover period. Furniture (handles and hinges) might carry 1 year, frames 5 years, and so on — each part of the job can have its own term. So treat this table as a simple example.
| Year after installation | Manufacturer’s warranty on the units | Your workmanship guarantee | Insurance Backed Guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years 1–5 | Active | Active (you’re trading) | In place, not triggered |
| Years 6–9 | Often expired | Active (you’re trading) | In place, not triggered |
| Year 10 | Expired | Final year | Final year |
| You cease trading — any year | Manufacturer still covers the product | Nobody left to honour it | Steps in, subject to the policy terms |
So the gap that matters is the bottom row. Without an Insurance Backed Guarantee, a “10-year company guarantee” is only there while the installer is.
Which one applies? Three real examples
A sealed unit mists up in year 3 — manufacturer’s warranty
The customer calls about condensation between the panes. No crack, no damage. The unit itself has failed. That’s a product fault.
So you would reach out to the manufacturer.
A conservatory roof leaks because the wrong sealant was used — workmanship guarantee
The fault is in how the job was done, not in any product. That’s a workmanship defect.
In this case, the customer comes to you. You fix it at your cost. That’s your written promise. It’s also the law. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 requires work to be done with reasonable care and skill. While you’re trading, your company written guarantee stands.
The customer finds a fault — but the installer has ceased trading— Insurance Backed Guarantee
Three years in, the roof trim is failing and the installing company has ceased trading. The company written guarantee has nobody left to honour it.
In this case, the Insurance Backed Guarantee comes into effect, based on the terms and conditions. The customer contacts the Insurance Backed Guarantee provider with their policy details, the insurer checks the claim against the original guarantee, and if it’s valid the insurer arranges the repair — subject to the terms and conditions of the policy. Claims are generally repair-led, not cash payouts.
What do installers most often get wrong?
Explaining the insurance to the customer yourself. You’re not authorised to sell or advise on insurance, so don’t describe what the policy covers or answer questions about it. Pass on the customer-facing materials HomePro or your IBG Provider provides with your quote, and point any questions to your account manager or Insurance Backed Guarantee Provider — that’s what they’re there for.
Treating an Insurance Backed Guarantee as a replacement for a company written guarantee. The Insurance Backed Guarantee mirrors your company written guarantee. No company written guarantee means there is nothing to back. FENSA, CERTASS and MCS all require the company written guarantee document as well.
Muddling it with your own guarantee when a customer asks. A “10-year company guarantee” and an Insurance Backed Guarantee are different things. And getting them mixed up promises cover that doesn’t exist. Stick to the one line you’re allowed: the quote comes inclusive of an Insurance Backed Guarantee from HomePro.
Confusing it with deposit protection. Deposit protection covers the customer’s advance payment if you cease trading, as defined in the policy wordings, before the job is finished. The Insurance Backed Guarantee covers the period after completion. Some schemes require both. They are separate covers doing separate jobs.
Can all three apply on the same job?
Yes. And on renewables jobs, more than three. A solar PV customer under MCS typically holds all of these at once:
- A manufacturer’s warranty on the panels (often 10–25 years on output)
- A manufacturer’s warranty on the inverter (often 5–10 years)
- Your written workmanship guarantee (minimum 2 years under the current MCS scheme; minimum 6 years under the redeveloped MCS scheme)
- An Insurance Backed Guarantee backing that guarantee
- Deposit protection, if they paid before installation
In short, each covers a different risk with a different claim route. On the Insurance Backed Guarantee and Deposit side, if you’re with HomePro, include the customer-facing explainer HomePro provides, and let your account manager handle any questions.
How do you cover all three in a quote — without selling insurance?
The product warranties and your own workmanship guarantee are yours to state plainly. The Insurance Backed Guarantee is different: because you’re not an insurance intermediary, you only mention that it’s included. Never present it as something you’re selling, and never show it as its own priced line. For example, here’s how to mention each in your quote:
- Product warranties: “All windows/panels/components are covered by the manufacturers’ product warranties — see the attached specification sheet.”
- Our workmanship guarantee: “[Company name] provides a [X]-year written guarantee covering our workmanship and the materials we supply and install. A copy is included with this quote.”
- Insurance Backed Guarantee: “This quote comes inclusive of an Insurance Backed Guarantee from HomePro, for further information, please see the enclosed leaflet or head over to www.homepro.com/homeowner-hub.”
If the customer wants to know more, then point them to your account manager — every HomePro member has one, with a direct line. They can answer the homeowner’s questions.
| Want the customer-facing explainer documents and quote templates that do this for you? Join over 2,000 UK installers on the HomePro network. Call 0800 131 0500 (Mon–Fri, 9:00am–5:00pm) or join here. |
Frequently asked questions
Can 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 to homeowners. Instead, state in your quote that the job comes inclusive of an Insurance Backed Guarantee, pass on the customer-facing materials your provider supplies, and point questions to your provider.
What is the difference between a company guarantee and an Insurance Backed Guarantee?
A company written guarantee is your own written promise to fix faults in your work. It only holds while you’re trading. An Insurance Backed Guarantee is an insurance policy that underwrites that guarantee. The homeowner stays protected if the installer’s company ceases to trade, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy. You need both: without the company written guarantee, there is nothing for the insurance to back.
Does a manufacturer’s warranty cover poor installation?
No. A manufacturer’s warranty covers faults in how the maker built the product, not how you fitted it. A product that fails because of bad installation is a workmanship matter — that sits with the installer’s guarantee, and with the Insurance Backed Guarantee if the installer has ceased trading.
Is a workmanship guarantee a legal requirement?
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 requires installers to carry out all work with reasonable care and skill, whether or not anything is in writing. However, a written guarantee document is a condition of membership for many schemes and Insurance Backed Guarantee Providers.
When should the customer receive all three documents?
At or before handover: the product specification confirming the manufacturers’ warranty terms, your written workmanship guarantee. The Insurance Backed Guarantee paperwork. With HomePro’s auto-issue for FENSA, CERTASS and Assure jobs, the Insurance Backed Guarantee triggers automatically once FENSA registers the Building Regulations Compliance Certificate is registered
Join over 2,000 UK installers who auto-issue Insurance Backed Guarantees with every job through HomePro. Call 0800 131 0500 or join the HomePro network 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.
