Solar panels are a great way to reduce your energy bills and your carbon footprint. Here's another added plus: any energy you don't use you can sell back to the grid - so they could earn you money too.
But, (there's always a but), before you add a solar panel to your basket, you need to think about installation costs, regular maintenance and the risk of them getting damaged.
You also need to know where you stand with your home insurance and solar panels. That's where we come in!
Are solar panels covered by home insurance?
Yes, most home insurance policies cover solar panels. They're usually covered by your buildings insurance as they're mounted to your roof, so they become part of your home's structure.
Home insurance for your solar panels includes:
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Theft and vandalism
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Fire
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Falling trees
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Environmental damage
When you're buying home insurance, make sure you tell your insurer about your solar panels. That way, you know your solar panels are included and covered if they get damaged.
Another thing you'll need to think about when you buy solar panels is your home's rebuild cost.This is what it costs to rebuild your home if it was totally destroyed. Your solar panels are part of that, so they'll add to the rebuild cost.
Will solar panels affect my home insurance?
Yes, your solar panels might make your home insurance more expensive - but only slightly.
That's because if they were damaged or destroyed, they'd cost money to replace and your insurer would have to foot this bill.
What types of solar panels are covered by home insurance?
Home insurance (specifically your buildings insurance) covers these types of solar panels:
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Solar roof tiles
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Photovoltaic monocrystalline panels
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Photovoltaic polycrystalline panels
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Hybid panels with heat exchangers
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Standalone panels - you might use these for back-up power
Solar panels usually come with a warranty. That means the manufacturer would replace the panels if there were certain technical issues or malfunctions within the first 10-12 years.
So you might think you wouldn't need to include solar panels on your home insurance if they're protected by a warranty. But (again, there's always a but) the warranty doesn't cover everything.
For example, if your solar panels are damaged in a storm, your warranty probably wouldn't cover the damage.
Home insurance can cover the gaps here and insure your solar panels for things like theft, damage and vandalism.
Can you get insurance specifically for solar panels?
Yes, you can get specialist insurance for solar panels. It covers more or less the same things as home insurance, but also might include things like:
- Loss of power because the panels aren't working properly
- Loss of income from feed-in tariffs if your solar panels stop working
- Accidental damage (it's included as standard, rather than an add-on)
They don't usually cover wear and tear, but that's fairly standard of most insurance policies.
There are pros and cons to buying insurance specifically for solar panels:
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You've got tailored cover. It covers issues specifically related to solar panels, like inverter failure or loss of power.
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Accidental damage is usually included as standard. This means if you're working on the roof and you accidentally damage your solar panel, your solar panel insurance could cover this. With home insurance, you might have to buy this separately as an add-on.
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Income protection. If you use your solar panels for your business or earn income from them, you might get better protection from a standalone policy.
There are cons too:
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There's an extra cost. You're buying an extra policy on top of your home insurance.
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Extra admin. It's another policy to think about on top of all your other insurances.
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There could be an overlap with your home insurance. Your home insurance would probably cover similar things to your standalone policy.
Should I tell my insurance provider if I get solar panels?
Yes, you should always tell your insurer if you have solar panels. If you're thinking of getting them, you should tell your insurer before installation. Here's why:
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Your insurer can add them to your buildings policy. That means they're protected if something goes wrong pretty much straightaway. If you don't tell your insurer, your solar panels won't be covered, and they might not pay out for any claims related to them.
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If you don't tell your insurer, you put your existing buildings cover at risk. If your solar panels damage the roof or electrics and your insurer didn't know about them, your insurer might not cover the damage.
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There's more risk with solar panels. Because there's electrics involved, if they're poorly installed, you could face power surges, electrical fires or interference. It's a small risk, but making sure your solar panels are installed by a Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) approved fitter can help you with this.
What should I consider before insuring my solar panels?
There's a balance you need to strike here. You don't want to overpay for your solar panel insurance, but you also want enough insurance to cover you if something goes wrong.
Our golden rule is to check and triple-check exactly what your insurance and warranty covers so you're not left with any gaps or covering things twice.
As a start though, here are some key things to consider:
What does your home insurance already cover?
Speak to your insurer and check what cover they offer. Find out how much it would cost to add them to your policy, then check what the cover includes. For example, some policies might only cover storm damage, but not wiring issues.
What does your warranty cover?
If you think there are gaps in your home insurance, check your warranty. It should cover certain mechanical breakdowns or malfunctions in the first 10-12 years (but make sure you check this).
Does your home insurance provide enough cover for your solar panels?
It covers things like theft, damage and vandalism. If you're using your solar panels to generate income, you might need a more specialised solar panel insurance policy that covers loss of income.
Where are your solar panels?
If they're part of the roof, they should be covered by your home insurance. You might need a different type of policy if they're on the ground.
Who installed your solar panels?
Your insurer will need to know this. It should be an MCS-accredited installer. Your solar panels must meet British Standards and have an annual inspection.
Your insurer won't touch your solar panels if they aren't compliant or if they're not inspected every year.
What parts of your solar panels do you want covered?
Decent solar panel insurance should cover:
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The solar panels
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The inverter
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The mountings and wiring
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Battery storage, as long as you've added it
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Public liability if a panel falls off and damages someone's property
Make sure you check your insurance policy so you know what's covered.
How much are your solar panels worth?
Solar panels usually cost between £4,850 and £13,000*. If you know the exact cost of yours, you can make sure your solar panel insurance gives you enough cover.
*According to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), 2025.
How much excess do you need?
You have to pay an excess on your home insurance. There are 2 types, compulsory and voluntary. Think about this when you're getting a policy. You can choose how much you want to pay for your voluntary excess. If it's too high, it might be pointless claiming. But if it's set too low, your insurance costs could be more expensive.
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