At a glance
Most standard home insurance policies cover solar panels that are attached to your property.
Always let your insurance provider know before installing solar panels to make sure they’re covered
Solar panel insurance typically covers you for events such as fire, storm or theft.
Most types of fixed solar panel should be covered by home insurance.
How do solar panels affect home insurance?
Having solar panels may affect how much you pay for your home insurance.
Your insurance provider will need to take into account the cost of replacing your solar panels if anything happens to them, as well as any value installing them has added to your home.
Fitting solar panels to your property can be a good investment if you want to save money on your energy bills. But with that investment comes the risk that they might get damaged by extreme weather or fire, for example.
Solar panels aren’t cheap to install. The average domestic solar photovoltaic (PV) system is 3.5kWp and costs around £6,100, according to the Energy Saving Trust. That’s a valuable asset and a lot of money sitting on your roof.
Did you know?
Solar panels are growing in popularity. Government figures show there were 15,496 solar installations on existing homes in January 2025, up by 16.5% on the previous year.
In total, more than 1.5 million UK homes now have solar panels fitted, and from 2027 most new-build homes in England will be legally required to have them installed.
Will my home insurance cover me for solar panels?
Fortunately, most home insurance policies will include solar panels as standard – which means you shouldn’t have to take out a separate policy to insure them. But do check with your provider to make sure.
Most solar panels will be covered under your buildings insurance, as they’re part of the fabric of the house.
However, if you have a solar battery added to your system, you’ll need to talk to your insurance provider about whether this will be covered by buildings or contents insurance, depending on where it’s kept.
How much cover will I have?
Most building insurance policies put limits on the amount they’re willing to pay out in total, known as the 'sum insured'.
You might need to increase this to take into account the additional value of your solar panels.
Given the investment in solar, it’s wise to make sure you have sufficient cover to replace your panels.
What will my solar panels be covered for?
Typically, your panels will be covered for unexpected events such as:
Fires
Storms
Falling trees
Theft and vandalism.
But they won’t necessarily be covered for accidental damage. This is often offered as an extra, which you add to your policy for an additional cost.
Do solar panels add value to your home?
Quite possibly. Adding solar panels to your home can make it more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. They can also help improve your home’s EPC rating.
The prospect of lower electricity bills and a better energy performance can be very attractive to buyers if you ever come to sell your property.
Do I need to tell my insurance provider if I’m getting solar panels?
Yes, you should always let your insurance provider know about any significant changes you make to your home – including fitting solar panels – to ensure you’re sufficiently covered.
As well as improving your home’s market value, installing solar panels is likely to increase your home’s rebuild value.
This is how much it would cost to rebuild your home from scratch if it was completely destroyed.
An increase in the rebuild cost could cause your premiums to go up.
Are all types of solar panels covered by my home insurance?
Almost all types of rooftop solar systems that are physically attached to your property should be covered by your buildings insurance.
These include:
Photovoltaic (PV) monocrystalline panels
PV polycrystalline panels
Thin film
Hybrid panels with heat exchangers
Solar tiles.
If you have a freestanding solar panel in your garden or on a balcony, it won’t be included in your buildings cover as it’s not considered part of the structure of your home. In this case, you may need to look for specialist insurance.
Your solar panels may come with a warranty from the manufacturer or installer that will cover them if they develop a fault within the warranty period. However, this won’t cover theft or weather damage.
Can I insure my solar panels separately?
Yes, it’s possible to get specialist insurance for solar panels. This gives you more comprehensive cover than a standard home insurance policy. For example, a standalone policy could include:
Cover for loss of power if your panels stop working properly
Compensation for lost income from feed-in tariffs if your panels stop working
Accidental damage as standard, rather than as an optional extra.
You’ll need to consider whether these are worth paying extra for.
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FAQs
Will my home insurance cover accidental damage to solar panels?
Most standard home insurance policies won’t protect you against accidental damage. If you’re worried about your solar panels getting broken by accident, it could be worth taking out additional accidental damage cover.
It will cost you extra, but your panels could be protected against further problems.
Is wear and tear to solar panels covered by home insurance?
No, home insurance policies won’t cover general wear and tear to your property, so you won’t be able to make a claim if your panels degrade over time. Thankfully, solar panels are hardier than they look and can last 25 years or more.
Once installed, solar panels need little maintenance, but keeping the panels clean and out of tree shadows will help keep them in good condition.
Can I get paid for having solar panels?
Yes, you can receive an income for supplying the National Grid with any surplus power your solar panels generate. Under the government’s Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme, you get paid by an electricity supplier for every unit of renewable energy you feed back to the grid.
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As well as writing for Churchill and Privilege insurance websites, Karen’s CV includes working with M&S, Debenhams, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and John Lewis. With over 20 years of editorial experience for big household names she leads a talented content team with a focus on simplifying personal finance for everybody.
Stephen Maunder is an experienced personal finance editor, having spent more than a decade working for consumer print and online titles. He won several industry awards for his personal finance features at Which?, before becoming Deputy Editor at Compare the Market.
Amy helps make sure you get the best value when choosing insurance. Thanks to more than four years’ experience at Compare the Market, she understands what people look for, working closely with insurance providers to offer you deals and services that are fair, easy to understand and right for your needs.
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