The short answer
It depends on how and when your insulation was installed. Most cavity wall insulation fitted in the UK since 1976 should carry a CIGA (Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency) 25-year guarantee, which can cover extraction and remedial work where the insulation has caused a problem — in principle at no cost to the homeowner. You apply through CIGA, and they assess each case; in practice not all claims are accepted, so a guarantee is not an automatic payout. If your installer is still trading, the work may also fall under their own workmanship cover. Where insulation was installed under a government scheme or by a firm that has since closed, the routes differ. The first practical step is to gather your paperwork and get a borescope survey documenting the failure.
If your insulation has failed there may be a route to having it put right, but it is not guaranteed and the path depends on your circumstances. Here are the main options, set out factually — not a promise of any outcome.
Routes to consider
- CIGA guarantee25-year, fitted since 1976
- What it may coverextraction & remedial work
- Not automaticclaims are assessed individually
- Installer coverif still trading
- Evidenceborescope survey & paperwork
- Apply viaCIGA directly
The CIGA guarantee route
The Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency (CIGA) provides an independent 25-year guarantee for cavity wall insulation installed by registered installers, and most UK installations since 1976 should be covered. Where insulation has failed and caused a problem, the guarantee can in principle cover extraction and remedial work. You apply to CIGA, who assess the claim and arrange an inspection. It is important to be realistic: CIGA assesses each case on its merits and does not accept every claim, so treat the guarantee as a route to explore rather than a certain outcome. Check whether you have your guarantee document, and confirm the installer was CIGA-registered at the time.
| Situation | Route to consider |
|---|---|
| Installed by a CIGA-registered firm | apply to CIGA under the 25-year guarantee |
| Original installer still trading | their own workmanship cover may apply |
| Installer ceased trading | CIGA guarantee may still apply |
| No paperwork | ask CIGA to check their records |
General guidance on routes, not legal advice. Confirm your own position with CIGA. Source: CIGA.
What to gather and how to start
Whatever the route, the same groundwork helps: find your installation paperwork and any guarantee certificate, note when and by whom the insulation was fitted, and arrange a borescope survey that documents the condition of the cavity with photographs. That evidence is what any assessor will want to see. If you are unsure whether your installation is covered, you can contact CIGA directly to check their records. For general consumer questions you can also use a free advice service such as Citizens Advice. This page signposts the routes factually — it does not promise any particular result.
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim for failed cavity wall insulation?
Possibly. Most UK installations since 1976 should carry a CIGA 25-year guarantee, which can cover extraction and remedial work where the insulation has caused a problem. You apply to CIGA, who assess each case individually — not all claims are accepted, so it is a route to explore rather than a guaranteed outcome.
What does the CIGA guarantee cover?
Where insulation installed by a registered installer has failed and caused a problem, the CIGA 25-year guarantee can in principle cover extraction and remedial work. CIGA assesses each claim and arranges an inspection, so cover is decided case by case.
What should I do first if my insulation has failed?
Gather your installation paperwork and any guarantee certificate, note when and by whom it was fitted, and arrange a borescope survey documenting the cavity's condition. Then contact CIGA directly to check whether your installation is covered.
Sources & further reading
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific property. They are guidance, not a quotation.