Fitting solar panels to your home can be a great home improvement project, and have a number of significant implications for your home insurance.
Tell Your Insurer Before Work Starts
Remember that most home insurance policies will cover solar panels installed in your home as long as you inform your insurer prior to installation. The structure of your property will change, adding value to your home could be voided if damaged whilst under alteration without prior notice to your insurer.
Update Your Rebuild and Contents Value
Typically priced between £5,000 and £15,000, the value of a property with solar panels should be reflected in the building’s sum insured. This would also include the value of any inverter or battery storage for contents purposes. The insurer should review the rebuild figure for your home.
Check Whether Specialist Cover Is Needed
You must ensure that your home insurance covers your solar panels, and if it does not, check whether they offer optional cover for the installation. Information on home insurance for home improvements is available from the Association of British Insurers.
Understand Liability for Damage
Special notice should be taken of liability for damage caused by your solar panels. Check your home insurance policy for liability for damage to other property and confirm that your cover includes third-party liability. Your installer should also have public liability insurance in place for work carried out on your property.
There is more on Solar Panel Installation Stroud at https://www.precisiongreenenergy.co.uk/renewables/solar-panel-installation/stroud/.
Keep Your Installation Documents
It’s a good idea to retain the MCS certificate, the installers warranty, and any other relevant survey reports on site. They are evidence of the quality installation of your solar panels and could potentially be used to facilitate a claim at a later date.
By ensuring the necessary documentation is completed prior to the work commencing, problems can be avoided later on.
