SIMPLE RULES FOR YOUR SOLAR PANEL INSURANCE
Updated November 7th, 2025
By Morgan Pierce
A friend down in the country lives on the bank of a river. Every year, when renewal season on her homeowner’s insurance rolled around, she’d have the same argument with her husband. “Don’t tell them we live on the bank of the river,” he’d say. “But if we get flooded, and we haven’t told them,” she’d counter, “they won’t pay out.”
We all know this scenario isn’t unusual (no, I don’t mean the scenario in which the wife it right, I mean the scenario in which someone tries to adopt the “don’t ask, don’t tell” maxim to a contract with their insurance company.)
Repeat after me: It’s a bad idea.
In most cases, it’s also completely counterproductive. My friend, for instance, found that when she fessed up to her insurer that their home was less than 150 metres from the bank of a river, she got a happy surprise. The agent pulled out the records and informed her that the river at her location had zero history of flooding. They were good to go – fully insured – with no additional premium.
It’s not uncommon for us to realise that customers are doing similar kinds of hemming and hawing about solar panel insurance and whether they should inform their insurer that they are installing solar. Would their premiums rise? Would insurers suggest the installation would make the roof less stable, or affect the safety of their home’s electrical supply?
To set those minds at rest, here’s a little of what we’ve learned about solar panel insurance, including a few surprises:
Some insurance companies are just as keen to support sustainability and the green economy as the rest of us. According to one leading insurance assessors’ organisation, “insurance companies generally view solar systems favourably because they demonstrate responsible homeownership and investment in solar energy. The energy efficiency of your home improves with solar panels, which some insurers reward with competitive rates.”
This solar panel insurance blog by Zurich, for example, seems to support that finding: “Solar panels are an investment in the future, both financially and environmentally, contributing to energy independence and a more sustainable lifestyle…. renewable energy systems can significantly improve [a home’s] BER rating and energy efficiency. This can in turn result in lower home insurance premiums.”
You didn’t expect to hear that, did you?
So when and what do you need to tell your insurance provider, and what should you expect in return?
Standard insurance industry practice requires consumers to advise their provider whenever one makes major changes, such as adding a solar system. Since installing solar can impact the resale or rebuilding value of your home, failing to do so might leave you underinsured. The wisest course is to contact your insurer before installation takes place.
Talk To Your Insurer About Your Solar Panel Insurance
Rooftop solar panels are considered permanent fixtures and should be covered under your home insurance. But don’t just assume solar panel insurance, check. It’s possible that, while the panels may be covered, other components such as batteries, changeover switches, or EV chargers are not, or need to be covered under a different part of the policy.
Having that conversation with your provider also gives you the opportunity to assure yourself that your solar panels will be covered in the event of fire, storm, falling trees or other debris. And to check that your system is also covered in the event of theft or vandalism.
Transparency is the key to getting the right coverage at the right price. Be ready to provide the paperwork from your installer, and to ask your insurer to confirm the amounts insured, the areas of the policy effected (buildings or contents), plus any excesses or exclusions. And get the final quote in writing.
Adding solar panels increases the cost to repair or rebuild your home, which can push up your premium. And some insurers may suggest risks from storm damage, electrical damage, or theft as reasons to increase a premium.
That said, experts report that most homeowners will face only minor increases, and some will see none.
It’s even possible that you’ll be one of those charmed-life homeowners, who are insured by the kind of forward-thinking company that wants to “encourage responsible home ownership” by lowering the premiums of those who install solar.
Why Choose Solar In Ireland?
Investing in a solar panel systems in Ireland can bring many benefits, including reduced energy bills, increased energy independence, and a reduced carbon footprint. If you are interested in installing a solar panel system in Ireland, it is also worth exploring the different grant options and green business loans available and seeking professional advice from one of our solar energy advisors.
Feel free to contact us for more information, we’re here to help.
