FENSA warns installers on failure to provide Insurance Backed Guarantees

FENSA reports that the majority of its registered businesses have embraced mandatory Insurance Backed Guarantees (IBGs), however, there is a stubborn minority of installers that have yet to provide FENSA with details of their chosen IBG provider and therefore currently cannot self-certify.The system set up by FENSA and its Approved Insurance Providers allows automatic notification of installations from FENSA to the insurance company, automatic issuing of the IBG policies direct from the insurance company to the homeowner and billing direct from the insurance company to the installer.
 
The consequences for the installers who are yet to provide IBG provider details are stark.  If an installer does not issue (or pay for) an IBG policy for each job notified then that company will be expelled from FENSA.  FENSA have state that these installers will also not be able to register with another glazing Competent Persons Scheme, as they are in breach of FENSA rules.
 
“There is no hiding place for installers ducking out of IBGs,” says FENSA managing director Chris Mayne.  “Because the system is computerized we can immediately see which installers do not have an IBG supplier in place.  They will be expelled from FENSA.”
 
FENSA rules state:  “To provide each customer (other than a Local Authority or Housing Association) with an Insurance Backed Guarantee policy (conforming to requirements laid down from time to time by FENSA) to provide cover to the customer should the Registered Business, for whatever reason, cease to trade.”
 
Mayne adds:  “We have a duty to those FENSA registered businesses that are playing by the rules.  We cannot allow those installers that break or ignore the scheme rules to carry on as usual.  We will initiate the process to expel these installers.”

BWF members can log in and find further information on IBGs and the list of FENSA Approved Providers here: https://www.bwf.org.uk/news/question-of-the-week/what-is-a-guarantee-a-warranty-an-ibg