What Insurance Companies Cover Solar Panels

Installation Floater Vs Builders Risk

Installation floaters are often placed with, but are not the same thing as, a builders risk insurance policy.

A builders risk policy is broader than an installation floater.

Whereas installation floaters will NOT cover buildings, a builders risk policy covers buildings as well as business property and also lost income or time invested in a project that is lost due to a covered cause of loss.

Like an installation floater, a builders risk policy is written on a special perils form.

Special perils means that the installation floater covers any risk except those that are specifically excluded in the form.

This is where solar offtaker insurance comes in.

Solar offtaker insurance transforms non-investment grade offtakers into investment grade offtakers for a one time premium and guarantees payments to lenders and/or solar tax equity for years into the future.

Solar offtaker insurance is ideal for solar projects > 1MW and solar developers who want to close more deals. Pricing is quick to estimate for small and medium sized C& I projects.

To reduce risk of default, solar developers and EPCs buy offtaker insurance as a form of to unlock project financing, reduce the cost of capital and increase loan to value levels.

First Of All There Is The Cost Factor

Our clients have told us that they are financing these panels over 5 years at a cost of around $300/mo for some clients. The inquiries are for newer homes which for the most are already energy efficient, as a result the savings is going to be far less than an older less efficient home. For a home built in 2015, 2600 sq ft of living the electric bill did not break $300/mo. This includes when my wife and kids were home for the summer. Winter months averaged around $150-$170/mo., for instance.

Given the above information:

Total Solar Panel Cost: $18,000

Average Electric Bill: $200/mo

Savings from Solar Panels: $100 x 12= $1200/yr

Total Yeas to offset savings: 15 Years

As you can see by the above information the payoff is not be what some people have imagined.

Are Solar Panels Covered Under Homeowners Insurance

• Are Solar Panels Covered Under Homeowners Insurance?

Putting brand new solar panels on your home isnt cheap. But over time, it drastically reduces the amount you pay for your homes energy each month.

But what about solar panel insurance? Many people wonder if its a real thing and if adding solar panels to home insurance is a possibility.

The good news is that most homeowners insurance policies cover solar panels if they are attached to your home. At that point, theyre considered to be a part of your home and are protected under Coverage A of your policy.

The classification of protection under the dwelling portion of your policy is extremely important. This is the loftiest form of coverage you can get on your home and is often just the right amount of coverage is something catastrophic were to happen.

Since solar panels typically run homeowners tens of thousands of dollars, it is also important that you speak with your agent and increase your dwelling coverage to kick in when the solar panels are installed.

This is incredibly important because it means your policy probably wont need to be changed and you probably wont have to deal with pesky riders to extend coverage.

Every case is unique, though, and we highly recommend contacting your insurance agent once you decide on the type of solar panels you want to get for your home. Some insurance companies may not cover this huge addition without some major changes in your policy.

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Ensuring Coverage For Your Solar Panels

While different companies have different policies surrounding solar panel insurance, its worth noting that most insurance companies cover solar panels, at least in part. While they may not include all panels, all types of systems, or all phases of installation, its likely that your panels are subject to some protection.

With this in mind, be sure to contact your insurance company to double-check your solar protection policy. If you havent yet installed your residential system, this simple check-in will allow you to adjust your installation decisions accordingly, and ensure youre making a smart choice.

If you have installed your system, double checking your coverage will help ensure that youre aware of any existing coverage gaps and that you can make a plan to address them, if needed.

In some cases, you may need to take out an additional insurance policy to cover your solar panels. This is especially true if you opt for DIY solar panel installation, which poses significantly more risk than simply having a professional install the panels for you. If you do take out an additional policy, be sure it has a high enough dollar value to provide adequate coverage for your panels.

Want more information about how to protect your panels? Give our team at Sandbar Solar a!

About the Author

Where Solar Panels Fit In Property Insurance

Principal at overseeing large complex claims requiring construction methodology and engineering knowledge

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Catastrophic winter storms slapped Texas in February 2021. The wild weather and days-long power outages left millions of Texans without electricity and many without food and water.

Now, insurance offices are bombarded with claims calls. The damage is in the billions, close to the initial projection of tens of billions of dollars. For many homeowners and commercial real estate investors, there was a new question: “Are my solar panels covered by property insurance?”

The answer, like all things related to insurance, is complicated. Let’s start with a look at homeowner’s insurance and solar.

Does Homeowner’s Insurance Cover Solar Panels?

Generally, yes. As permanent attachments to your roof, solar panels are considered part of the home. They’re covered by property insurance against perils like wind, hail, lightning, vandalism, broken tree limbs, fire and so on. That’s assuming you own the solar panels. If you lease panels from a solar power company, it’s up to the company to correctly insure the solar panels.

Read Also: What Are The Benefits Of A Sole Proprietorship

Adding Solar Panels Is A Major Project

In Massachusetts, solar panel system installation requires the same local approvals as any major building or electrical project. The system installer will need to pull building and electrical permits, and the project itself will be subject to inspection. Before you sign any contracts, ask to see a certificate of insurance . In addition to making sure your installer is properly insured, you may want to ask if he or she is certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners . You can find Massachusetts-based installers with NABCEP credentials through this locator tool.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Solar Panels

Yes, most insurers cover solar panels as long as the cause of damage is covered by your policy. That means if theyâre damaged by wind, fire, lightning strikes, hail, or a fallen tree, youâd likely be covered for solar panels repairs or a new system. Keep in mind that before getting a payout, youâll first have to pay your policy deductible. This is the out-of-pocket amount which youâre responsible for paying before your insurance kicks in to cover the rest.

Most insurance policies will cover solar panels in one of two ways, depending on if theyâre attached to your home or somewhere else on your property.

In a situation where your solar panels arenât covered, your insurer may offer optional solar panel coverage, or an endorsement, that you can add to your policy for a fee.

Ready to shop home insurance?

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Leased And Ppa Solar Panel Insurance

If you are leasing your solar panel system or if you bought it on a power purchase agreement , the panels will be covered by the third party who technically owns them.

This means you wonât have to worry about insurance at all. However, always clarify the details with the PPA or lease provider before signing any agreements.

Do Solar Panels Increase Home Insurance Premiums

The coverage you had in place before installing new solar panels may not be enough to cover the cost of repairs or replacements in the event of filing a claim.

Consider this: the typical cost of solar installation runs between $11,389 – $13,919 after applying the 26% federal tax credit. That’s a decent-sized investment in your home. You may want to increase your coverage limits to make sure your homeowner’s policy protects those new solar panels.

Just remember the higher your coverage limits, the more expensive your insurance premiums are likely to be. To find out if your premium will increase and to ascertain how much, you will need to get in touch with your insurance provider.

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Some Florida Agents Caught Off

Florida may be known as the Sunshine State, but some insurance agents say theyve been unprepared for the recent boom in rooftop solar power installations across the state, installations that can affect coverage, premiums and even home sales.

We kind of got blindsided, to tell you the truth, said Christy Wolfe, sales development manager with Florida Peninsula Insurance and Edison Insurance.

The number of solar panels and solar power installation companies have exploded in Florida in the last few years. Solar companies in Florida now top 700, by some estimates, and solar capacity jumped by 57% in 2020 alone, the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported. Experts say the boom appears to be the result of lower technology prices, rock-bottom interest rates on financing, federal tax rebates, and a new interpretation of public policy.

The Florida Public Service Commission in 2018 that its rules fully allow leasing of the solar equipment to the homeowner, if the lease terms are not structured to, in effect, sell electricity to the customer. That has significantly reduced upfront costs for homeowners. More than 71,500 Florida properties had some type of solar installation by the first quarter of this year, according to commission. Other estimates put the figure as high as 90,000. Thats almost an eight-fold increase since 2017.

But the company is also discussing potential changes in coverage restrictions.

Thats something we absolutely wont cover, Kremkau said.

Ready To Add Solar Power To Your Home

With POWERHOME SOLARs innovative solar program, qualified homeowners can go solar for $0 up-front cost, potentially save money on their electric bills and generate clean energy for their home. The solar panels installed on your home are American-made and come with a minimum 25-year product warranty6, with many solar panels expected to last well beyond that.

Contact POWERHOME SOLAR to request a free quote, and one of our solar representatives will help you determine whether your home qualifies for this program.

Also Check: How Does A Solar Ppa Work

Do I Need A Separate Insurance Policy For Solar Panels

There are instances in which you may need an add-on to your coverage or in some cases an altogether separate policy for your solar panels. For instance, if your solar energy system is mounted in your yard rather than on your rooftop, you may require additional coverage, as it is not a part of your actual dwelling. Its a similar story for a solar panel , an example of a freestanding structure that may require a rider or separate policy. Its wise to consult your insurance agent or company to decide on the best course of action in these circumstances.

How Much Do Solar Panels Cost

The cost you pay for solar panel installation can vary depending on the kind of system you buy and where you live. As with any other purchase you make, its best to shop around before purchasing. According to EnergySage, solar panels cost an average of $13,000 after solar tax credits are applied.

When comparing the cost of solar panels, its important to consider incentives as they can reduce the amount of money you end up spending significantly. The federal government has recently extended a renewable energy tax credit known as the investment tax credit . The ITC allows you to deduct 26% of the cost of installing a solar energy system from federal taxes in 2020 and 22% in 2021 .

States and local governments also offer financial incentives like cashback, property tax exemptions, fee waivers and rebates. Check the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency to see what credits you could qualify for. But if you dont want to buy a system outright, or if the price is a little too steep, you could get a solar loan.

Solar leases generally require no down payment and will cost you anywhere from $50 to $250 a month.

Some states offer solar leases and power-purchase agreements that allow you to rent a solar panel that a third-party company technically owns. You can either pay the company a monthly payment or pay for the power you produce . Solar leases generally require no down payment and will cost you anywhere from $50 to $250 a month .

Also Check: Do Prius Have Solar Panels

What Happens If My Home Insurance Won’t Cover The Panels

If your home insurance provider refuses to cover your solar panels, start shopping for a new policy.

Different insurance agencies provide different types of home insurance. Even better, you might be able to save on the cost of home insurance by switching companies.

In some instances, adding panels can decrease the cost of your home insurance premiums each month.

Why? Because it makes your home more efficient.

Many insurance providers offer discounts on home insurance costs if you make the house more eco-friendly. Adding solar panels to power your home definitely fits the bill.

Adding Solar Panels May Create New Risks

For all their many positives, solar panels can also be extremely dangerous. Each panel is live with electricity, creating serious risks of fire or electrocution on/around your property. If panels are mounted to your roof, they may be damaged or dislodged by severe weather. If they are ground or pole-mounted, they could be considered an attractive nuissance, which means they invite the possibility that a child might try to climb/play near them. Its important to discuss new perils and liability concerns like these with your local insurance agency.

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Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Hail Damage To Solar Panels

Most homeowners insurance policies cover the solar panels themselves and, because the rooftop mounts are considered a permanent structure on the house, they are also covered. Solar panels are very sturdy, and the likelihood of them getting damaged during a storm by hail falling from the sky is slim to none.22 avr. 2020

Solar Panel Insurance Considerations

By design, solar panels are meant to be placed in highly exposed areas that are often vulnerable to the elements. This means that damage is a likely occurrence especially if you live in an area prone to storms. As with any costly investment, solar energy systems should be properly protected. If you are worried about the extra costs that might accompany solar panel insurance, it might be time to look for a cheaper policy.

The Zebra can help you find a great homeowners policy by comparing rates from a number of top companies, helping you to zero in on the policy thats right for you.

Compare homeowners insurance quotes.

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The Second Area Of Concern Is Dealing With The Ongoing Maintenance Of The Panels Themselves

We have reviewed contracts where there is only a 1 year warranty. What happens after a year? Solar is a newer technology making parts and service technicians difficult to locate. Certainly, there will be a warranty company in the future that will sell a contract for this just as there are for appliances and automobiles.

Life expectancy is approximately 20 years according to some companies. Given the cost of the initial system and the potential to have the panels replaced in 20 years what is the estimated actual savings over time?

Adjust Claim Limits If Needed

Another important issue regarding solar panel insurance is that there may be no claim limit involved. A claim limit is the maximum amount paid out for a loss that your insurance policy covers. This is different from coverage on structures that are clearly separated from the house, such as a storage shed or gazebo, where the claim limit may be 10% of the dwelling limit.

For homeowners with solar panels, thats a big positive. At the same time, its important to check the details of your policy to confirm you have enough coverage to pay for repairs or replacement of your home including the cost of the solar panel system. You should also be aware of any deductible amount youll need to pay before coverage is activated. If you feel youd like to raise your coverage limit, consult your agent to adjust your policy.

Recommended Reading: What Is Solar Energy Panels

Protecting Your Solar Panels

A basic homeowners insurance policy should protect your solar panels if they are a permanent structure of your home. Be sure to talk with your Wawanesa agent to learn more about getting coverage for your solar panels.

Disclaimer: The above content is for informational purposes only and is not a direct representation of coverages offered by Wawanesa or its policies. The information does not refer to any specific contract of insurance and does not modify any definitions, provisions, exclusions or limitations expressly stated in any contracts of insurance. All references within the above content are illustrative and may not apply to your situation. The terms and conditions of the actual insurance policy or policies involved in a claim are determinative as to whether an accident or other loss is covered. To understand the coverage under your current policy, please log into the account management platform to review your policy or contact an agent directly.