What you need to know about solar panel installers insurance

Solar panel installation insurance protects tradespeople if problems arise. In this article, we look at typical risks covered by solar installation insurance.

Solar installation insurance helps solar contractors should the worst happen. You could get hurt while installing solar panels or someone else could get injured. You might also damage property during the installation work.

In these situations, solar installation insurance protects against unexpected financial losses. An insurance policy could pay compensation or replace damaged or stolen equipment.

Solar panel installation activity increases

More and more tradespeople with the right skills are involved with solar installation as demand for greener energy grows. Solar panels are now a feature of many building projects.

New houses and offices usually include them. Many existing properties are also retro-fitting solar panels.

The Government is encouraging people to think about energy efficiency. Its Green Deal helps households make energy-saving improvements to their properties. The Government is also providing £5 billion to businesses to become greener.

Insurance is a way of buying financial protection against risks installers may face. For solar installations, tradespeople should start by thinking about the type of work they may be doing.

Then consider all the risks that this work poses. Finally, look for insurance that covers these risks.

Steps involved in solar panel installation

Installing solar panels usually involves several steps. Each stage of installation carries a degree of risk to both people and property. This includes:

• Putting up scaffolding and ladders to work at height

• Attaching roof anchors and aluminium frames to hold the solar panels

• Installing the solar panels to the frames

• Wiring the solar panels and connecting them to the power supply

Risks with solar panel installations

Solar panel installation insurance provides financial protection if things go wrong on a job. You usually claim insurance for:

• Loss

• Damage

• Injury

All three types of risks are possible with solar panel installation.

These are some of the main risks that require solar panel installation insurance:

• Putting up scaffolding and ladders that could damage the property

• Working at height – getting up and down ladders or scaffolding

• Avoiding injuries from slips and trips while working at height, including falling off the roof

• Handling large, fragile solar panels, especially at height

• Securing solar panels so they aren’t damaged and won’t fall off the roof and possibly injure someone below

• Ensuring electrics are correctly wired and connected so the panels aren’t damaged and there is no risk of an electrical fire

• Making sure the solar panel converter correctly changes direct current to alternative current

• Avoiding damage to the roof, particularly tiles

• Making sure the roof can support the extra weight of the solar panels

• Making holes in the roof that don’t cause damage or water ingress

• Avoiding water damage by ensuring water can flow off the roof properly after the installation

• Making sure moisture can’t get into the solar panels

• Making sure solar panels don’t crack

Solar panel installation insurance

These are some of the main types of insurance that are relevant for solar panel installation work:

Public Liability Insurance

Public Liability Insurance covers damage you cause to someone’s property. It also covers you if someone is injured and it is your fault. They might hurt themselves on your equipment. You might damage the roof or roof space while you are working. The insurance usually includes legal fees and compensation.

Did you know? Checkatrade members are required to have PLI in place... but can also save 20% on their premiums. Just log in to our Member's Area to find out more!

Personal Accident Insurance

This protects you if you are injured or die while installing solar panels. It will pay you a certain amount (depending on the type of insurance policy). Typically, this includes compensation for time off work while you are in hospital, if you can no longer work and if you suffer from life-changing injuries.

Employers Liability Insurance

This is a legal requirement if you employ staff. If they are injured while at work, they could make a claim against your business.

Product Liability Insurance

This should cover you if someone is injured by faulty solar panels that you have supplied.

Tools and Equipment Insurance

This is important for tools that might get damaged or broken. The insurance cover usually also includes tools that are stolen from a site or your vehicle.

If you use specialised equipment, the cost of replacing items could be high. Some policies will also include tools you have hired.

Hired Plant and Equipment Insurance

This covers any plant and equipment you hire to carry our solar panel installation. Often, the company hiring the equipment will offer insurance. It’s always worth checking if you can get the same cover for less elsewhere.

Goods in Transit

This covers tools, property and goods damaged or stolen while being moved around. Solar panels could get damaged being delivered to a site. Goods in Transit insurance might be covered by other insurance policies mentioned in this article.

Getting the right amount of insurance

It is good business practice to have the right amount of insurance. Otherwise, it could cause financial problems if a claim is made against you. You and your business could suffer.

At the same time, you don’t want to pay for too much insurance.

Some of the insurance policies mentioned here are likely to offer quite broad protection. That could mean you need fewer individual policies to cover all the risks of installing solar panels.

Bear in mind that you are unlikely to be able to claim twice on different policies for the same thing**.** You might not be able to claim the full amount on one policy if you have another policy for the same type of risk. Also, remember that your insurance premiums might rise the more claims you make.

Choose the best insurer for your needs

With insurance, it’s always best to shop around. Different policies might cover different types of risk.

Some insurers will specialise in certain types of tradesperson insurance. Find out if they know about solar panel installation. Checkatrade members can get 20% off their PLI, and make great savings on other forms of insurance too. Check out our member's area to see the latest deals!

Firms that offer insurance for solar panel installation should be able to give you useful advice on reducing the risks.

Key takeaways

• Demand is growing for solar panel installation

• Solar panel installers face risks from injury and equipment damage

• Various solar panel installation insurance options are available

• Check whether solar installation insurance covers all the potential risks they face

• Choose an insurer that offers helpful advice on reducing solar panel installation risks