Solar panel theft in US - a reminder to check your insurance

We're all used to seeing stories of lead and other metals of value being stolen from roofs, but solar panels?

Thieves recently broke into an American business and made off with between 200 and 300 panels on a stolen truck, prompting the Police to warn residents against purchasing 'cheap panels' and to check the credentials of the seller before handing over any cash.

It's a worthwhile reminder that, here in the UK, if you've recently had solar panels installed or you're thinking of having solar panels installed, then check the panels themselves as well as the installation costs of re-installation, are covered by your home insurance policy.

Solar panels are only a worthwhile financial investment if you get the full 25 year feed-in tariff use of them.

If you've qualified for a free solar panel installation, then check with your supplier whether they're your or the companies responsibility to insure against theft and damage.

photo credit: us army environmental command

Do solar panels affect home insurance

Can solar panels affect your home insurance premiums? Is a question that crops up time and again and as more homeowners get quotes for solar panels and start installing solar panels on their homes, "will solar panels afect my home insurance?" inevitably comes up again and again.

We addressed the issue of solar panels and home insurance premiums last February.

Nothing much has changed and the advice is as before - You should always inform your insurer of any changes made to your home. To not do so runs the risk of you not being covered in the event of a claim.

One positive change we have spotted is a well known home insurance company offering insurance cover for solar panels free (within their standard buildings insurance), so shop around because we're pretty sure that as solar panels get more popular, then more insurance companies will be offering cover as standard.

photo credit: wwworks

solar panels and house insurance cover questions

Judging by our visitor's, one of the more keenly sought topics is how does having solar panels installed affect my home insurance?

Rather that repeat ourselves, click here to read our blog post regarding solar panels and home insurance which we first published in February this year.

Probably not the easiest thing to steal from someones house, nonetheless, that fact alone probably wouldn't deter thieves.

It's also worth remembering that you'll need to check your buildings insurance rather than contents. The old rule of thumb used to be that if it required a screwdriver to remove it, then it was buildings rather than contents insurance you needed.

The same incidently is true of fitted kitchens so if you've had one of those fitted recently, then check you're insured. Conservatories, loft and garage conversions etc - don't forget to check now will you?

photo credit: jim linwood

Does installing solar panels affect your home insurance?

I'm indebted to YouGen for answering an obvious question - does installing solar panels (or any other form of renewable energy) to a home affect your house insurance?

As YouGen so neatly sums up: "according to the Association of British Insurers, there isn't an overarching rule on this one, and it will depend on your insurer. The golden rule for insurance is to tell your insurer if you're planning to make any material structural changes to your property,"

So it may pay to find out before you book an installation, rather than wait a year and then find you're not adequately covered.

It reminded me of my own days spent working in an insurance brokers office where the general rule of thumb was 'if you've made any alterations, inform your insurers'. Adding solar panels is like adding an extension - it'll probably mean the repair / replacement costs will be higher so you you can expect an increase in your premium to cover the additional costs.

Visit YouGen's website to read their article in full which has a quote from NFU Mutual on the subject - click here

Don't forget if you're thinking of getting solar panels installed on your property and you'd like a rough idea of how much the installation will cost for insurance purposes, you can visit Solar Panel Quoter .co.uk and get an instant on line price guide.

photo credit: editor b