Solar Panel Insurance: Do You Need Extra Cover?

Most UK buildings insurance policies cover solar panels against:

• Storm damage — wind, hail, lightning strikes
• Fire — including electrical fire originating from the solar system
• Falling objects — tree branches, debris
• Theft — though solar panel theft is extremely rare in the UK
• Malicious damage — vandalism
• Flood damage — if panels or inverter are affected
• Subsidence — if ground movement damages the roof and panels

Solar panels are considered a permanent fixture attached to the building, so they fall under buildings insurance (not contents insurance).

Important: Your policy covers the panels as part of the building, but you MUST declare them. Undeclared modifications to the building can void your entire policy — not just the solar claim.

Source: Association of British Insurers (ABI) guidance on home modifications.

Most insurers simply note the modification and continue the policy unchanged. Some may increase your premium by £20–£50 per year. A few may require a specialist endorsement.

If your insurer charges a significant premium increase or refuses to cover solar panels, shop around. Many UK insurers are now solar-friendly — the market has matured and solar is no longer considered unusual or high-risk.

Source: ABI; UK insurance market comparison data.

For most UK homeowners: no. Your standard buildings insurance is sufficient, provided you have notified your insurer.

Specialist solar insurance may be worthwhile if: - Your standard insurer refuses to cover solar or charges an unreasonable premium - You have a very large or high-value system (£15,000+) - You want loss-of-income cover (protection against lost SEG income during repairs) - You want mechanical breakdown cover (protects against inverter/panel failure beyond warranty)

Specialist solar insurance providers in the UK: - GreenAge Solar Insurance - Solar Panel Insurance UK - Maron Energy Insurance

Specialist policies typically cost £30–£80 per year and cover things standard home insurance does not (breakdown, loss of income, pest damage).

For most homeowners with a standard 4kW system and normal home insurance, specialist solar insurance is an unnecessary expense.

Source: UK insurance comparison; specialist provider quotes.

If your solar panels are damaged (e.g., by a storm):

1. Document the damage — take photos and note the date/circumstances 2. Check if it is a warranty claim or insurance claim: - Product defect → manufacturer warranty claim (free) - Installation fault → installer workmanship warranty claim (free) - Storm/fire/theft → home insurance claim (excess applies) 3. Contact your installer — they can assess the damage and advise whether it is a warranty or insurance matter 4. Contact your insurer — if it is an insurance claim, file a claim with photos and your MCS certificate 5. Get repair quotes — your insurer may require 2-3 quotes from MCS-certified installers

Typical repair costs: - Single panel replacement: £200–£500 (including labour) - Inverter replacement: £800–£1,500 - Mounting system repair: £200–£600 - Full system reinstallation (after fire/major storm): £5,000–£10,000

Source: MCS installer repair pricing.