Home solar cost and contracts

Does Your Homeowners Policy Cover Solar Panels Once They Are on the Roof?

Published · By the SolarPanelX editors · Prices and specs as of that date, from the pages under Sources

Summary

Not automatically. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) tells homeowners to check with their insurer before installing panels, says some insurers now extend coverage to them but not all do, and warns that the addition can significantly change the cost of the policy. A standard homeowners policy pays to rebuild with standard materials, so it may not pay to replace upgrades like these.

The order NAIC suggests

NAIC's two consumer pages, from 2017 and 2020, give nearly the same sequence. Before installing, find out from your state insurance department what your legal obligations are for insuring the equipment. Then ask your agent or insurer whether they will extend coverage to it. If they won't, look for an insurer authorized to offer that coverage in your state; the state insurance department can point you to one.

Selling power back adds a separate layer. NAIC says most government bodies either require or strongly encourage homeowners to carry additional liability insurance while an energy contract is in force, and some municipalities may ask to be reimbursed for losses from net-metering incidents that hurt their workers or damage their property. DOE's Energy Saver says most homeowners already carry at least $100,000 of liability coverage through their homeowners policy, and that the utility may require more.

If the system is leased or under a PPA, you don't own it. Among the questions the FTC suggests asking when comparing bids is what happens if the roof needs repair after installation.

Sources

  1. NAIC — Consumer Insight: Environmentally-Friendly Insurance (2017-07-01)
  2. NAIC — Going Green? Make Sure Your Insurance Covers Your Environmentally-Friendly Decisions (2020-04-22)
  3. U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Saver — Grid-Connected Renewable Energy Systems
  4. Federal Trade Commission — Solar Power for Your Home

We have not tested these products. Specs, prices, stock and terms are as published on these pages on the date above and can change; check the manufacturer or retailer before you buy.

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