"I strongly recommend, for reasons of security and protection, consumers use a member of DGCOS."

Consumers using DGCOS members will have access to the most powerful consumer protection body in the double glazing industry.

Consumers

What are the Benefits for Installers?

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The DGCOS Compensation Fund

Summary

In addition to DGCOS Insurance Guarantee Provider’s protection of consumers’ deposits and stage payments, all repayments ordered by the Ombudsman are backed by a Compensation Fund. See below for details:-

Why the need for a Compensation Fund?

Over a number of years, DGCOS research identified several areas within the double glazing and conservatory installation sector where consumers were potentially at risk of losing money or being disadvantaged.

DGCOS was created in order to address these problems by providing robust Ombudsman based processes to deal with customer complaints.

The Ombudsman has the power to make financial awards in connection with the determination of a complaint. These might be in relation to payment of compensation, costs or any other related matter such as (but not limited to) loss of deposits or stage payments (outside of those covered by DGCOS Insurance Guarantee Providers) or some other loss
suffered by a consumer using a DGCOS member.

The DGCOS complaints procedure includes in appropriate cases, access to a Compensation Fund which can provide a discretionary payment in satisfaction of an Ombudsman’s Award.

What is The DGCOS Compensation Fund?

The Compensation Fund exists to ensure that the beneficiaries of all Ombudsman awards receive any financial payment or compensation due to them as a result of the Award.

Upon joining The Scheme every trade member of DGCOS agrees to contribute to the Compensation Fund.

The trustees of the Fund hold these monies for use in support of the beneficiaries of the Ombudsman’s Awards.

When is The Fund Used?

The Fund can be claimed upon should any payment due under an Ombudsman’s award not be made in accordance with the terms of the Award.

The successful party must use its best endeavours to procure payment of any Awards by the other party but, as a last resort, may make an application to the Compensation Fund for discretionary payment in lieu.

All payments from the Compensation Fund must be authorised by the Ombudsman.