Insurance Backed Guarantees for Developers, Contractors & Housing Associations
A-Rated protection that survives contractor insolvency. Access to the whole UK market for grant-compliant and mortgage-approved cover. Indicative terms typically within 24 hours.
- Access to A-Rated Insurer Capacity
- Mortgage-Approved Cover
- Indicative Terms within 24hrs*
- Grant-Compliant Wording Available*
- FCA Authorised and Regulated Broker
Get your IBG quote
Tell us about your project – we’ll come back to you.
Access to A-Rated Insurer Capacity
Whole-of-market access for competitive terms
Mortgage-Approved Cover
Meets lender and grant-funder requirements
Indicative Terms within 24hrs*
*Subject to satisfactory information & underwriting
Grant-Compliant Wording Available*
ECO4/SHDF compliant wording for Housing Associations
FCA Authorised and Regulated Broker
What is an IBG?
Protection That Survives Contractor Insolvency
An Insurance Backed Guarantee (IBG) is a specialised policy that underwrites the original installer’s written warranty — transferring liability to an A-Rated insurer if the contractor can no longer honour it.
For Housing Associations and developers, an IBG is a critical layer of financial security. Unlike a standard contractor warranty, which becomes worthless if the company enters insolvency, an IBG ensures valid claims for defective workmanship are rectified at no additional cost to the asset owner — typically for 10 years from completion.
It covers a wide range of assets, from roofing and glazing to external wall insulation, and mirrors the exact terms of the original written guarantee — the same materials and labour promise, backed by an insurer rather than a company that may no longer exist.
An IBG is a Policy of Last Resort — it doesn’t replace the contractor’s obligation to fix defects while trading. It’s a dormant safety net that only triggers if the contractor suffers an insured event, most commonly insolvency or bankruptcy.
Our team accesses the whole of the UK market to secure A-Rated capacity, with rapid turnaround times so your paperwork is ready before you step on site.
Years typical cover
Indicative terms*
Authorised & regulated broker
Who it's for
Built for Developers & Housing Associations
Housing Associations & Registered Providers
Requiring specific grant-compliant wording — ECO4 and SHDF compliant policies available, ensuring your funding conditions are met without compromise.
Private Developers
Needing mortgage-approved cover that satisfies lender requirements and protects asset value long after the original contractor has moved on.
Risk & Asset Managers
Overseeing existing housing stock who need genuine protection against contractor insolvency — not just a warranty that becomes worthless the moment a company stops trading.
What's covered
What a Checkmate IBG policy covers
An IBG mirrors the terms of the original written guarantee provided by the installer. If the original guarantee covered materials and labour for 10 years, the IBG covers the reasonable cost of rectifying works to that same standard if the contractor suffers an insured event — most commonly insolvency or bankruptcy.
Cover is provided for the duration of the policy term — typically 10 years from practical completion, with 12-year terms available where required — and is fully assignable to future owners without the need for renewal.Cover applies to workmanship and materials across a wide range of assets — from roofing and glazing to external wall insulation — for the full term of the original guarantee.
Core coverage scope
(subject to policy terms and insurer acceptance)
- Workmanship Defects — errors in installation
- Material Failures — breakdown of supplied goods (subject to manufacturer warranty alignment)
- Rectification Costs — insurer pays an approved third-party contractor up to the original contract value
- Deposit Protection (optional but common) — covers loss of upfront deposits if the contractor goes bankrupt before work starts
What an IBG does not cover
If the contractor is still trading but refuses to fix the defect, the IBG will not pay out — you must pursue the contractor legally or via arbitration. Standard IBGs cover workmanship and materials, not design liability. The policy covers repair of the defective item itself but rarely covers consequential loss, such as damage to contents or loss of rent.
The process
Getting your IBG quote in three steps
Tell us about your development
Complete the short form above — asset type, contractor details, and contact information. Takes under two minutes.
We approach the market
Our in-house team reviews your requirements and approaches the whole of the market to secure appropriate capacity on your behalf.
Receive indicative terms
Compare terms, confirm cover, and receive your IBG documentation — with paperwork ready before you step on site.
Why Checkmate
Three reasons developers choose us
In-house technical expertise
Our in-house team provides support throughout the underwriting process — from initial assessment to policy issuance.
Grant-Compliant Wording
ECO4 and SHDF compliant policies available for Housing Associations, so your funding conditions are met without compromise.
Established. Recognised. Trusted.
Built on track record, not promises. Checkmate is an established name in UK construction insurance, with long-standing relationships across the A-Rated insurer market.
Already completed?
IBG After Completion — Yes, It's Possible
If your development is already built but you want to move away from a contractor warranty that’s only as strong as the contractor’s solvency, we can guide you through the coverage options available for your development scale.
Subject to underwriting review and project-specific criteria. Speak to our team for an initial assessment.
Ready to get covered?
Get your IBG quote today
Fill in the form above or speak directly to our team. FCA regulated.