Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency (CIGA)

CIGA, independent guarantees for cavity wall insulation in the UK

The Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency (CIGA) is an independent body that issues 25-year guarantees for cavity wall insulation installed by registered installers in the UK and the Channel Islands. The standard guarantee covers traditionally constructed residential properties. The agency was established in 1995 after consultation with the UK Government's Energy, Environment and Waste Directorate, then part of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR), with the aim of providing homeowners with a uniform, independent and reliable guarantee against defects in materials and workmanship.

What the guarantee covers and how it is processed

The CIGA and IAA guarantee covers defects in materials or installation. When a problem arises, the IAA's technical department steps in to resolve it. If the installation is carried out in England and Wales by an installer registered under the CWISC competent persons scheme, the certificate also incorporates evidence of compliance with the Building Regulations. Homeowners who no longer have their certificate or want to check whether their home is covered can request duplicates by writing to the designated guarantees email address and providing the relevant supporting documentation.

Registered installers and system design

The agency maintains a register of installers and system designers, and offers users tools to find registered installers. It also has a list of remediation contractors. All IAA member installers are assessed for competence and must follow the technical guidance for the material used and the IAA Best Practice Guidance.

Consumer support and contact channels

CIGA publishes consumer information and guidance, an update bulletin, a complaints procedure and an online form to register concerns. The website warns about misuse of the CIGA logo and offers a specific channel for whistleblowers. There are separate email addresses for general enquiries, for reporting insulation-related problems, for requesting duplicate guarantees and for press enquiries.

Technical information on cavity wall insulation

The site brings together content on the benefits of insulation, the different cavity wall insulation systems and a frequently asked questions section. The organisation itself notes that the UK Government regards cavity wall insulation as the most effective energy-saving measure that most people can apply to their homes and a major factor in reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Independent research commissioned by the DETR confirmed, according to CIGA, that it is a very reliable process; problems are rare and, when they occur, the agency has the technical means to correct them quickly.

Members area and institutional activity

Members have access to an area with a guarantee generator, news, updates, best practice guides, technical notes and training. The agency also publishes its council and executive, an annual review with statistics and performance targets, and maintains a corporate blog. Among the news items are a response to a Daily Mail article from January 2022, a BBC correction relating to CIGA, the Seth Lovis collapse case and the holding of the CIGA Conference and Future Workshops.

Location and contact

Unit 3, Ouzel Industrial Estate, Leighton Buzzard Grovebury Road, LU7 4ER · Phone: 01525 853300 · Email: info@ciga.co.uk · Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 17:00