TL;DR:
- You must tell your home insurer before or immediately after installing solar panels — failing to declare them can void your policy.
- Solar panels permanently fixed to a roof are normally covered under buildings insurance; free-standing systems may need separate cover.
- Battery storage adds complexity: it needs to be included in your rebuilding cost estimate and may require separate declaration.
- Premiums rarely increase significantly for solar, and some insurers offer specialist renewable energy cover.
Every year, thousands of UK homeowners install solar panels and forget to call their insurer. It’s an understandable oversight — after a solar installation, the last thing on your mind is updating an insurance policy. But failing to notify your insurer is a mistake that can leave you substantially exposed if something goes wrong.
Why Solar Panels Affect Your Insurance
Buildings insurance covers the structure of your home, including permanently fixed fittings. Solar panels bolted to your roof are generally considered part of the building, which means they fall under your buildings insurance — not contents. This sounds straightforward, but it creates several practical implications.
The rebuilding cost changes. Your buildings insurance is based on the cost of rebuilding your home from scratch, not its market value. Solar panels, battery storage, and their associated wiring, inverters, and mounting hardware all increase the rebuild cost. If your sum insured doesn’t reflect this, you may be underinsured — and in the event of a total loss claim, your insurer could reduce the payout proportionately.
Insurers treat modifications as material facts. Home insurance is a contract based on disclosure of all material facts — information that would affect an insurer’s decision to offer cover or their premium. A solar installation that costs £8,000–15,000 and involves structural roof penetrations is clearly material. Failing to disclose it gives an insurer grounds to refuse a claim, even if the claim is unrelated to the solar panels.
What to Tell Your Insurer
When you notify your insurer, have the following information ready:
- System size (kWp) and the number of panels
- Battery storage capacity (kWh) and make/model if applicable
- Installation date and the name of the MCS-certified installer
- Updated rebuilding cost — your installer should be able to give you a replacement cost figure, or you can use the BCIS rebuild cost calculator
Most insurers will ask about the type of fixing (roof-mounted, ground-mounted, or integrated), whether the installation was professionally carried out, and whether you have an EPC or building regulations sign-off.
Coverage Gaps to Watch For
Standard policies cover panels against storm, fire, flood, and impact damage. But there are common exclusions:
Theft. Panels are increasingly targeted by thieves, particularly in rural areas. Some policies exclude theft of panels specifically, treating them as external fixtures. Check your policy wording explicitly for this — if your insurer excludes panel theft, you can usually add it as an extension.
Mechanical or electrical breakdown. Standard buildings insurance doesn’t cover the inverter or battery management system failing due to internal faults. This is wear-and-tear or mechanical breakdown, not insured damage. Solar installers typically offer extended warranties (5–10 years on inverters), and some specialist insurers offer breakdown cover as an add-on.
Free-standing systems. Ground-mounted panels on outbuildings or in gardens may fall outside your standard buildings cover. Check whether your policy extends to outbuildings and whether structures beyond a certain distance from the main dwelling are excluded.
Battery storage location. Most home battery systems are installed indoors (in a garage or utility room). Some insurers have restrictions on battery storage locations — particularly lithium-ion batteries, which carry a fire risk different from standard contents. Confirm with your insurer that your battery installation location is within their guidelines.
What Typically Doesn’t Change
Liability cover — your insurer’s protection if someone is injured or suffers property damage due to your solar system — is usually already included in standard home policies. The feed-in tariff and SEG export income you receive from your panels is not insured under home insurance, but it’s also not typically at risk from standard insurance events.
Finding the Right Cover
Most major home insurers in the UK now have experience with solar panels and will cover them without issue as long as you’ve declared them. If your current insurer increases your premium substantially (more than £30–50/year is unusual for a standard installation), it’s worth comparing quotes.
Specialist renewable energy insurers include A-Plan Renewables, Ageas (which offers a dedicated solar product), and Home Heat. These products bundle the solar system, battery, and EV charger into a single policy designed for the modern low-carbon home.
When comparing quotes, verify that the policy covers the replacement cost of your panels (not just the original purchase price), includes installer labour, and doesn’t have a separate high excess for solar-related claims.
The Quick Action List
- Call your insurer before installation to notify them of your plans.
- Get your updated rebuild cost from the installer.
- Confirm in writing (email is fine) that the insurer has updated your policy to reflect the installation.
- Ask specifically about theft of panels, inverter breakdown cover, and battery storage provisions.
- Keep your installation certificate, MCS certificate, and installer guarantee in a safe place — you’ll need these for any claim.
The conversation with your insurer takes fifteen minutes and potentially saves a five-figure claim dispute. Do it before the installation team leaves.