Photovoltaic Insurance: When It Makes Sense and What You Need to Consider

A photovoltaic insurance policy protects your PV system against the financial consequences of severe weather, lightning strikes, power surges, theft, and animal damage. While there is no legal requirement to take out such insurance, consumer protection organizations strongly recommend it for systems with acquisition costs in the five-figure range. There is also one crucial aspect that many people overlook: only systems professionally installed by a certified master electrical contractor remain fully insured in the event of a claim. Self-installed systems are generally excluded from coverage.

Disclaimer: This article is intended solely for general informational purposes and does not constitute insurance advice or insurance brokerage services. PVPro Solar is a specialist solar installation company and not an insurance intermediary. For recommendations tailored to your specific system, please consult a licensed insurance advisor, insurance broker, or your insurer.

Why a PV System Should Be Insured

A photovoltaic system represents an investment of several thousand euros—often well over ten thousand euros—and is largely exposed on the roof, vulnerable to the elements. At the same time, extreme weather events in Germany are becoming measurably more frequent. Storms can tear modules from the roof, hailstones can shatter the glass surfaces of solar panels, and a lightning strike nearby can cause a power surge that destroys the inverter.

If property damage is compounded by a loss of income, the costs can escalate quickly. While the system is out of operation, it generates no electricity—you lose both self-consumption savings and feed-in revenue while still facing repair expenses. A comprehensive photovoltaic insurance policy is designed to absorb precisely this double financial burden.

What Photovoltaic Insurance Covers

Comprehensive PV insurance is often offered as an all-risk policy, meaning it generally covers all types of damage that are not explicitly excluded under the terms of the contract. Coverage typically extends to all components of the system, including solar modules, inverters, cabling, mounting structures, and, in most cases, battery storage systems.

The risks usually covered under a comprehensive policy include:

• Fire, lightning strikes, power surges, and short circuits
• Storm damage, hail, and other natural hazards
• Flooding, sewer backup, snow pressure, and avalanches
• Water damage, moisture, frost, and ice movement
• Theft and vandalism
• Animal damage—particularly from martens, which is one of the most common causes of claims in practice
• Operating errors as well as design and material defects
• Damage caused through gross negligence

In addition to covering repair or replacement costs, a good policy also reimburses related expenses such as debris removal and disposal costs, scaffolding expenses, damage-related roof work, and additional costs arising from regulatory requirements.

Loss of Income: The Aspect Many People Underestimate

If your system temporarily stops generating electricity following an insured event, photovoltaic insurance compensates for the resulting loss of income—that is, the revenue lost through feed-in tariffs or reduced self-consumption savings. Depending on the policy, this protection is generally limited to a period of six to twelve months from the date of the loss.

The length of this indemnity period is one of the key differences between policies and is particularly relevant because obtaining replacement modules or inverters can sometimes take considerable time.

Separate Policy or Coverage Through Building Insurance?

There are essentially two ways to insure a photovoltaic system:

1. Coverage Through Your Building Insurance

Larger rooftop and façade-mounted systems can often be added as an extension to an existing residential building insurance policy.

The main advantage is that if a claim affects both the building and the PV system—for example, in the event of a fire—you only have one insurer to deal with, avoiding disputes over responsibility.

However, it is essential to notify your insurer before the system is delivered and installed. In many cases, an email stating the system capacity (kWp) and replacement value is sufficient. If the insurer is unaware of the installation, they may refuse payment in the event of a claim.

2. A Standalone Photovoltaic Insurance Policy

A separate policy generally offers broader coverage and more reliably includes risks such as theft, short circuits, and loss of income.

In practice, standalone policies are most commonly chosen for larger and more expensive systems, commercially operated installations, or where the building insurer either limits coverage to systems below a certain size or does not cover PV systems at all.

Our practical recommendation: Address insurance considerations during the planning phase of your system—not after commissioning. This helps prevent coverage gaps from the outset.

What Does Photovoltaic Insurance Cost?

Premiums depend on factors such as location, system size, and the desired scope of coverage. The following figures are non-binding estimates as of 2026 and do not constitute pricing commitments or guarantees.

Option	Approximate Annual Cost
Standalone PV insurance	approx. €70–110
PV extension within building insurance	approx. €35–120 additional
Operator’s liability insurance (if separately required)	approx. €30–70

Actual costs can vary significantly depending on the insurer and the specific installation. Individual quotations can only be obtained directly from an insurance provider.

For privately used systems, separate operator’s liability insurance is often unnecessary. Damage caused by falling components can frequently be included in a standard personal liability policy at no additional cost, provided the system has been professionally installed in accordance with applicable regulations.

The Decisive Factor: Professional Installation Safeguards Your Insurance Coverage

This is where an aspect often overlooked in many guides becomes critically important for maintaining insurance protection:

Self-installed PV systems are generally excluded by photovoltaic insurers. Moreover, if a system has been installed improperly, insurers may reduce benefits or deny coverage altogether—for example, if damage results from faulty electrical wiring.

Studies examining damage to PV systems indicate that wiring and installation defects are among the most common causes of losses.

In other words, even the best insurance policy is of little value if the installation itself provides grounds for denying a claim. Professional installation and compliant electrical connection—documented and carried out in accordance with the applicable Technical Connection Conditions (TAB) and VDE standards—are prerequisites for ensuring that your insurance coverage remains valid when you need it most.

This is precisely where PVPro Solar comes in. As a certified master installation company, we plan and install your photovoltaic system in full compliance with applicable standards and provide complete documentation—from module installation and battery storage integration to final grid connection.

This ensures that your system remains not only technically safe but also secure from an insurance perspective.

Conclusion

Although photovoltaic insurance is not legally mandatory, it is strongly recommended given the scale of the investment involved. Whether you choose to include the system under your building insurance policy or take out a standalone policy depends on the size of the installation, how it is used, and the extent of coverage you require.

More important than any individual policy decision, however, is the foundation on which your protection rests: a professionally installed system is essential to ensuring that your insurance coverage actually applies when a loss occurs.

Are you planning a new PV installation or looking to secure insurance coverage for an existing system? Schedule a no-obligation consultation with PVPro Solar. We ensure standards-compliant installation that does not jeopardize your insurance protection.

Is photovoltaic insurance mandatory?

No. There is no legal requirement to insure photovoltaic systems. Nevertheless, consumer organizations and industry experts recommend coverage because of the high investment costs and the increasing frequency of severe weather events.

Is battery storage covered?

Generally, yes—provided the battery forms part of the insured system and is explicitly listed in the policy. Make sure the storage unit is specifically named in the contract to avoid coverage gaps.

Is hail damage covered?

Yes. Hail is considered a natural hazard and is covered under photovoltaic insurance, provided the damage results from an insured event

What happens if the system is self-installed?

Most insurers exclude self-installed systems from coverage. Installation by a qualified specialist contractor is therefore a prerequisite for comprehensive insurance protection.

Does my building insurance automatically cover my PV system?

Not necessarily. In many cases, a separate coverage extension must be added for an additional premium. Be sure to notify your insurer before installation takes place.