Solar Panel Insurance & Damage Claims
Are your panels covered? What damages them? Do they harm your roof? The honest answers on insuring solar, claiming for damage, and what’s actually a risk.
The short answer
Standard UK home buildings insurance usually covers roof-mounted solar panels as part of the building — including storm, fire, theft and accidental damage. But there’s one essential catch: you must tell your insurer you have them. Failing to declare solar panels can invalidate a claim or leave you underinsured — though declaring them usually has little effect on your premium.
Two other things worth knowing: panels don’t damage your roof when properly fitted (poor installation is the only real risk), and they’re tough — tested against hail and typical UK weather, so damage is uncommon but does happen in severe events. When it does, a qualified installer inspects and quotes, and your insurance covers the repair. Here’s the full picture.
What this guide covers
Solar panels are a valuable, roof-mounted asset exposed to the weather — so it’s natural to wonder whether they’re insured, what could damage them, and whether they might harm your roof. There’s a fair bit of worry and misinformation around all three. Here’s the honest, practical rundown, including exactly what to do if your panels are damaged.
Are solar panels covered by home insurance?
In most cases, yes. Roof-mounted solar panels are generally treated as part of the building, so standard buildings insurance typically covers them against the same risks as the rest of your roof:
- Storm and weather damage — high winds, falling branches, flying debris.
- Fire and lightning.
- Theft and malicious damage.
- Accidental damage — if your policy includes it.
What insurance doesn’t cover is performance drop-off or manufacturer faults — those come under the product warranty, not your home policy. So insurance handles physical damage; warranty handles the panels failing on their own. Knowing which is which saves confusion when something goes wrong.
*The one essential condition
All of that cover depends on one thing: you must have told your insurer you have solar panels. It’s the single most important — and most overlooked — point on this page, so we’ve given it its own section below. Skip it and you risk your cover being invalid exactly when you need it.
Why you must declare your solar panels
This is the honest, essential bit: always tell your home insurer you have solar panels fitted. Here’s why it matters:
- They change your rebuild value. Panels add cost to rebuilding your property, so your buildings sum insured may need to rise to avoid being underinsured.
- Many insurers require it. Solar is often a declarable material change; not declaring it can invalidate a claim — not just for the panels, but potentially wider.
- It’s usually cheap or free. In most cases declaring solar has little or no effect on your premium — so there’s no downside, only risk in staying quiet.
Do it at your next renewal or as soon as the panels are installed, and get written confirmation they’re covered. It’s a two-minute call that protects a five-figure asset.
How to make a solar panel damage claim
If your panels are damaged, here’s the sensible order of events:
- 1. Make it safe — don’t touch damaged panels. They carry live DC voltage even when the system’s off; cracked or damaged panels are a shock risk. Keep clear and keep people away.
- 2. Document it. Photograph the damage, note the cause and date (e.g. “storm on X date”), and record any drop in generation.
- 3. Check your policy. Confirm the damage type is covered (storm, hail, accidental) and note any excess and time limits — storm claims often must be reported promptly.
- 4. Contact your insurer. Start the claim; they may send an assessor.
- 5. Get a professional inspection & quote. You’ll need a qualified solar installer to inspect, quote and carry out the repair or replacement. Keep all documentation.
The key is acting promptly and safely, and getting a proper installer’s assessment — insurers want a qualified quote, and you want the work done safely and correctly.
What actually damages solar panels?
Panels are tough, but a few things do cause damage. Honestly ranked by how much you should worry:
| Cause | Real risk? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Severe storms / debris | Occasional | Falling branches, flying debris — main insurance claim cause |
| Large hail | Rare | Panels tested to ~25mm hail; only extreme hail cracks them |
| Birds / pigeons | Gradual | Nesting underneath damages wiring/cooling over time |
| Poor installation | Avoidable | Bad fixings → leaks; use an MCS installer |
| Normal UK weather | No | Panels built to endure rain, wind, frost, sun |
The reassuring truth: normal UK weather doesn’t damage panels — they’re certified to withstand hail around 25mm at speed, plus rain, frost and decades of sun. It’s extreme events (severe storms, huge hail, falling branches) that occasionally crack them, and that’s exactly what insurance is for. The one gradual risk is birds nesting underneath — not usually cracking the glass, but damaging wiring and cooling over time, which is why bird-proofing is worth it if you have pigeon activity. After any severe storm, a quick check is wise.
Do solar panels damage your roof?
This is one of the most-searched worries, so let’s answer it plainly: no — properly installed solar panels do not damage your roof. In fact, they often protect the roof area beneath them from weather. The mounting systems are designed to keep the roof watertight, and a competent MCS-certified installation seals every fixing correctly.
Roof problems only arise in two avoidable situations:
- Poor installation — badly sealed fixings can let water in. This is an installer-quality issue, not a solar issue — another reason to use a certified, reputable installer.
- A roof already in poor condition — fitting panels to a roof near the end of its life isn’t wise; sort the roof first (and see our removal & reinstall guide if panels are already up).
Get both right — a sound roof and a quality installer — and panels are entirely roof-safe for their 25+ year life.
Insurance & damage: do’s & don’ts
✓ Do
- Declare panels to your home insurer
- Check buildings cover includes them
- Photograph & date any damage
- Report storm damage promptly
- Get an MCS installer’s inspection & quote
- Bird-proof if you have pigeon activity
✗ Don’t
- Assume you’re covered without declaring
- Touch cracked/damaged panels (live DC)
- Confuse warranty (faults) with insurance (damage)
- Fit panels to a poor-condition roof
- Use an uncertified installer
- Delay a storm claim past the time limit
Frequently asked questions
Does home insurance cover solar panel damage?
Usually yes — standard buildings insurance covers roof-mounted panels against storm, fire, theft and accidental damage, as part of the building. But you must declare them, and it doesn’t cover performance/manufacturer faults (that’s the warranty). Check your policy wording and limits.
Do I need to tell my insurer about solar panels?
Yes, always. They add value and change your rebuild cost, and many insurers require declaration — not doing so can invalidate a claim. It usually has little effect on your premium, so there’s no downside to declaring and real risk in not.
How do I claim for damage?
Make it safe (don’t touch damaged panels — live DC), photograph and date the damage, check your policy covers it, contact your insurer, then get a qualified installer to inspect and quote. Keep all documentation; report storm damage promptly.
Do solar panels damage your roof?
No — properly installed, they don’t, and can protect the roof beneath. Problems only come from poor installation (bad fixings → leaks) or fitting to a roof already in poor condition. Use an MCS installer and a sound roof and they’re roof-safe.
Can hail or storms damage panels?
Rarely — panels are tested to ~25mm hail and built for UK weather, so normal conditions don’t harm them. Severe storms, huge hail or falling debris occasionally crack them, which is what insurance covers. Check panels after any severe storm.
Can birds damage solar panels?
Yes, gradually — pigeons nesting underneath damage wiring and cooling over time, and droppings cut output. Not usually cracked glass, but worth addressing with bird-proofing if you have pigeon activity.
Usually covered — but you must declare them
The bottom line: Standard buildings insurance usually covers solar panels against storm, fire, theft and accidental damage — but only if you’ve declared them, so tell your insurer. Panels are tough and don’t harm a roof when fitted well; damage is uncommon but does happen in severe weather. If it does, keep clear of live panels, document everything, and get an MCS installer’s quote for your claim.
Get my free damage assessment →The verdict
The reassuring headline: solar panels are usually covered by standard home buildings insurance, they’re built tough enough to shrug off normal UK weather, and — fitted properly — they don’t damage your roof. For most owners, solar is a low-worry asset on all three counts.
But two honest must-dos. First, declare your panels to your insurer — it’s the one step that makes all that cover valid, and it’s usually free. Second, if damage does happen (severe storm, big hail, pest problems), keep clear of the live panels, document everything, and get a qualified MCS installer to inspect and quote for your claim. A free damage assessment gets you exactly the professional quote your insurer will want — and your panels back to full generation.
Important
Going Solar UK is an introduction service, not an installer, insurer or financial adviser. Information here on insurance and claims is general 2026 guidance, not insurance advice — cover varies significantly between policies and providers, so always check your own policy wording and speak to your insurer about your specific situation. Damaged solar panels carry live DC voltage and must only be inspected or handled by a qualified MCS-certified installer. Never touch damaged panels yourself.
We may receive a commission when we introduce you to an installer, at no cost to you. Any contract for work is directly between you and the installer.