Solar panels are a great way to reduce your energy bills and your carbon footprint. But how do they impact your home insurance?
Whether you have classic rooftop panels, or you're opting for the plug-in solar panels made legal as of August 2026, this guide will help you know where you stand.
Key takeaways:
- Classic solar panels - the ones that you see fixed to the roof of a building - are usually covered by buildings insurance.
- On the flip side, plug-in solar panels typically fall under contents insurance. This is because they’re portable and don’t form part of the building’s structure.
- If you choose to install either rooftop or plug-in solar panels, it’s important to let your insurer know.
- As of 27 August 2026, plug-in solar panels became legal in the UK. But if you get them installed, you need to notify your electricity network within 28 days.
- Live in rented accommodation or a leasehold? You might need permission before going solar.
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.
Are plug-in solar panels covered by home insurance?
Thinking of getting plug-in solar panels? The good news is they can be covered under your home insurance.
But, there’s a crucial difference between plug-in solar panels and traditional ones when it comes to getting cover.
While classic rooftop solar panels are part of your buildings insurance, plug-in panels usually fall under your contents insurance.
This is because plug-in solar panels aren’t permanently fixed, meaning they’re not actually part of your home’s structure.
What do I need to do if I get plug-in solar panels?
Installing plug-in solar panels is a pretty easy process. But, there are a few crucial next steps to consider.
Keep your home insurance policy watertight and make sure you’re covered financially by following this simple to-do list:
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Inform your insurer: Always give your home insurance provider the heads up. Plug-in panels are wired to your home’s electrical system, so should be declared.
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Do a value check: Take a look at how much your plug-in panel cost, and use our contents calculator to check it against your policy's total contents value. If it exceeds that limit, you'll need to list it separately as a high-value item.
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Be theft aware: Because they’re not bolted to a roof, plug-in solar panels are an easier target for thieves. Keep your insurer updated on where your panel is being kept and any extra security measures you’ve got in place.
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Notify your network: Under UK law, you must submit a free G98 notification to your local electricity network within 28 days of installation.
- Solar roof tiles
- Photovoltaic monocrystalline panels
- Photovoltaic polycrystalline panels
- Hybrid panels with heat exchangers
- Standalone panels - you might use these for back-up power
- Plug-in panels - covered under contents insurance
- 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)
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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.
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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.
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Your insurer can add them to your buildings policy. That means they're protected if something goes wrong pretty much straight away. 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.
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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
Remember: If you live in a rented property or a leasehold, getting permission before installing a plug-in solar panel is crucial.
Skipping this step affects your liability and puts your insurance validity at risk. So, it’s best to cover your back and get permission from your landlord or the freeholder in writing.
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 covers these types of solar panels:
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:
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:
There are cons too:
Should I tell my insurance provider if I get solar panels?
Yes, you should always tell your insurer if you have solar panels. Whether you’re considering traditional rooftop panels or non-permanent plug-in panels, you should tell your insurer before installation. Here's why:
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.
What type of solar panels do you have?
If you have rooftop or hybrid solar panels, you’ll likely have to go through your buildings insurance. Depending on their replacement value, or how it impacts the rebuild value of your home, the cost of your premium could differ.
Plug-in solar panels, on the other hand, will need to be added to your contents insurance. In some cases, they’ll need to be listed separately as a high-value item. So, it’s worth checking your policy terms and contacting your provider if you’re unsure.
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:
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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