Should I insure my solar panels?

Fixed to the property

The definition of "fixed to the property" is: if an item is so permanently attached to the ground or building that it can’t be removed without damaging or breaking the property, then it is considered "fixed." Items that are fixed in this way become part of the property—think of a toilet or flooring.

But what about solar panels? Are they considered fixed to the house?

For panels on a pitched roof, the answer is a resounding yes. They’re mounted on rails which are screwed into the roof beams, meaning they can’t be removed without breaking the installation.

For flat roof systems, the situation can be slightly different. These panels aren’t screwed down but held in place with ballast, so technically, they might not be seen as “fixed.” However, that doesn’t mean they can simply be picked up and moved. At Zonnefabriek, we regularly get questions from customers who want to take their solar system with them when they move. In practice, relocating any solar system—pitched or flat roof—is quite a task. That’s why it would be odd for insurers to treat them differently. Also, since solar panels are connected to the inverter and fuse box with cabling, disconnecting them always involves breaking that connection, further supporting the idea that they are fixed.

Solar panels usually covered by default

Although insurers used to distinguish between flat and pitched roof systems, most no longer do. Almost all home insurance policies now explicitly state that solar panels are covered, regardless of how they’re mounted—whether screwed, clipped (e.g., with ClickFit), or weighted down with ballast. This is clearly mentioned in most insurers’ policy terms. If your insurer doesn’t cover solar panels by default, it might be worth asking them directly and pointing out that most major insurers have modernized their policies—everyone from Reaal to Interpolis, Centraal Beheer, Ohra, and even Hema now includes standard solar panel coverage. Still, it's wise to double-check so you don’t face any surprises.

Our experience

Of the thousands of systems Zonnefabriek has installed, only a handful have suffered damage—from severe hail or storms, for example. In those cases, we repaired the damage, and the costs were fully covered by the insurers, usually minus a deductible. We’ve even repaired systems we didn’t originally install, when other companies were unwilling or unable to do so, and insurance still stepped in.

In one case, a customer with a Solarif policy had an inverter fail due to an internal fault. While the unit would normally be replaced under warranty, the manufacturer (SMA) couldn’t deliver a replacement in time due to component shortages. It took two months to get the system running again. When we contacted the insurer for compensation, they said internal defects weren’t covered. Because the downtime wasn’t caused by external damage, the lost energy production wasn’t reimbursed. This highlights the importance of checking what your policy actually covers: only external damage, or also internal faults? Solarif does offer an Internal Defects add-on, but this customer didn’t have it. So be sure to read the fine print carefully!