Quick answer: Homeowners insurance may cover rooftop solar panels in the United States, but coverage is not automatic in every policy. Whether an insurer pays for panels damaged by hail, wind, a tornado or a falling tree depends on the cause of loss, how the panels are installed and owned, the insured-property definition, any policy endorsements or exclusions, coverage limits and deductibles. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) advises homeowners to notify their insurer when adding solar equipment; the U.S. Department of Energy says an additional policy rider may be needed.
Updated November 8, 2026. This is a nationwide insurance explainer, not a statement that a particular homeowner has coverage. Your policy and state rules determine the actual claim outcome.
Does a standard homeowners policy include roof-mounted solar panels?
Solar panels permanently attached to the house are often treated as part of the insured dwelling, but this depends on policy wording. The NAIC’s guidance on environmentally friendly home upgrades warns that some companies extend coverage to green renovations and others may not, so customers should check before installation. The U.S. Department of Energy’s solar FAQ similarly recommends talking to the insurance agent because an endorsement may be necessary for adequate coverage.
Common solar-panel situations and what to verify
| Situation | Key insurance question |
|---|---|
| Owned solar panels fixed to the roof | Are panels included in dwelling coverage, and is the insured replacement limit adequate? |
| Ground-mounted array or solar carport | Does dwelling, other-structures or a special endorsement apply? |
| Leased panels or a power-purchase agreement | Who owns and insures the equipment under the solar contract? |
| Hail, wind, tornado or falling-tree damage | Is the cause covered or excluded, and is there a separate wind/hail deductible? |
| Flooding from rising water | Is separate flood insurance needed for the equipment and associated building? |
| Electrical failure or equipment wear | Is the damage an insured event, a product-warranty problem or a maintenance issue? |
Does homeowners insurance cover hail damage to solar panels?
Possibly. Windstorm and hail losses can be covered hazards under a homeowners policy. However, NAIC’s guidance on rebuilding after a storm says some policies exclude wind or hail damage and others apply separate deductibles, which can be particularly relevant in coastal or storm-prone areas. You need to verify that the solar equipment itself is insured and that hail is a covered cause of loss; damage caused by a manufacturing defect or normal wear may be handled differently.
What if a tornado or strong wind damages both the roof and panels?
Look at the policy’s windstorm and hail terms, dwelling coverage, deductibles and any solar endorsement. The Texas Department of Insurance explains that windstorm coverage may apply to damage from tornadoes, thunderstorms or hurricanes. Its Texas example also shows why location matters: standard policies outside the coast often include wind/hail, while coastal properties may need separate coverage. This Texas-specific rule should not be presented as a nationwide law.
What about removing and reinstalling panels during roof repairs?
If hail or wind damage requires roof replacement, solar panels may need to be professionally removed and later reinstalled. The DOE homeowner FAQ says homeowners should check with their insurer about coverage for those costs. Do not assume your insurer covers removal/reinstallation merely because the roof itself qualifies for a claim. Obtain written confirmation of the covered work scope and qualified installation requirements.
Solar-panel insurance deductibles: why percentages matter
A deductible is the amount the policyholder bears before eligible insurance payments. Some homeowners policies apply a wind/hail deductible stated as a percentage of insured dwelling value, which can differ from a standard flat deductible. Hypothetically, if a policy has a 2% wind/hail deductible calculated on a $350,000 dwelling insured value, that would be $7,000 before payment on a covered loss, subject to policy terms. This example is not a quote or a statement about a specific insurer. The NAIC recommends checking whether roof losses have separate deductibles and whether the roof is settled at replacement cost or actual cash value.
Owned versus leased solar panels: who files a claim?
With an owned rooftop system, the homeowner generally has the financial interest in the equipment, but policy terms control the claim. With a lease or power purchase agreement (PPA), the solar provider may retain ownership and assume some insurance responsibility. Read the solar contract and ask both the solar provider and homeowners insurer how wind, hail, theft, electrical damage, removal and roof repairs are handled; do not assume a leased installation is covered by either policy without checking.
What to do after a storm damages solar panels
- Prioritize safety. Stay away from broken panels, exposed wires, damaged roof areas and flooded electrical equipment. Do not climb a compromised roof. Contact qualified responders or your installer when equipment safety is uncertain.
- Take photographs from a safe location. Document damage to the roof, panels, walls and surrounding property. Preserve installation contracts, equipment receipts and any system records.
- Notify your insurer promptly. Ask which policy section covers the solar installation, whether wind/hail restrictions apply and what deductible will be used.
- Ask about temporary protection. Reasonable steps to prevent further damage may be needed, but obtain professional help and retain receipts.
- Coordinate the adjuster and solar installer. Obtain detailed written estimates, including roof repair, panel replacement and any necessary removal/reinstallation work.
- Keep documentation and verify offers. Be cautious about contractors demanding payment upfront or asking you to sign away insurance rights without understanding the agreement.
These steps draw on the NAIC’s post-disaster claims guide. The final repair and payment determination belongs to the insurer under the policy.
Does insurance cover flood-damaged solar equipment?
Standard homeowners policies generally do not cover direct flooding from rising water. Separate flood coverage may be available, but what that flood policy insures is subject to its definitions, limits and exclusions. A roof leak from a covered wind event and rising floodwater are different claims questions, even if both leave equipment wet. For a related comparison of water damage, see our U.S. burst-pipe homeowners insurance guide.
Questions to ask your insurer before installing solar
- Are roof-mounted panels included in my dwelling limit without extra paperwork?
- Does my installation require an endorsement or an increase in replacement-cost coverage?
- What is my wind/hail or named-storm deductible? Are any roof or panel losses excluded?
- Are ground-mounted systems, batteries, inverters and wiring covered in the same way?
- Will the policy pay for safe removal and reinstallation after a covered roof repair?
- How do I document my solar system’s replacement value, and who covers it if leased?
Related reading
Understand household electrical costs with our U.S. space-heater energy-cost guide, and compare another common property-insurance event in our burst-pipe damage explainer.
Official sources
NAIC on green improvements; DOE solar homeowner FAQs; NAIC homeowners insurance overview; NAIC wind/hail and roof deductibles; Texas Department of Insurance windstorm guidance; NAIC disaster claims process. Do not rely on this page as an individual coverage determination.
Sık Sorulan Sorular
Are rooftop solar panels automatically covered by homeowners insurance?
Not automatically in every U.S. policy. NAIC advises notifying the insurer and confirming that solar upgrades are included; the U.S. DOE says an additional rider may be required.
Does homeowners insurance cover solar panels damaged by hail or a tornado?
It may when the equipment and wind/hail loss are covered by the policy. Exclusions, local requirements, dollar limits and separate wind/hail deductibles can change the result.
Who insures leased solar panels?
Ownership and coverage responsibilities depend on the lease or power-purchase agreement and any insurance provided by the solar company. Confirm the contract and your homeowners policy.
Does flood damage to solar panels fall under standard homeowners insurance?
Standard homeowners policies generally exclude direct flooding from rising water; a separate flood policy may be needed, subject to its definitions and terms.
