Solar Contractor Insurance That Helps Protect Your Business.
From rooftop installations to commercial solar projects, your work brings specialized risks. Our agents compare options from 20+ top-rated carriers to help build insurance solutions around your solar business.
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Power Your Business with the Right Protection
With FirstMark Insurance’s dedicated commercial insurance team, you get experienced agents comparing coverage from over 20 insurance carriers to help protect your solar business, employees, vehicles, equipment, and operations—with strong coverage and competitive pricing.
Solar power installation contractors work with electrical systems, roofing surfaces, specialized equipment, customer property, and construction materials. From residential rooftop solar installations to larger commercial projects, this work can create a unique combination of construction, electrical, property damage, and employee safety exposures.
Solar power installation contractor insurance can help protect your business against certain risks involving property damage, bodily injury, employee accidents, vehicles, tools, equipment, and completed installations. Whether you operate a small residential solar business or manage multiple installation crews, an insurance program can be tailored around your specific operations.
The appropriate coverage may depend on the type of solar systems installed, annual revenue, payroll, number of employees, subcontractor usage, vehicles, equipment, project values, and whether your company performs residential, commercial, or other solar installation work.
What Insurance Does a Solar Installation Contractor Need?
Solar contractor insurance generally isn't a single policy. Instead, an insurance program may combine several types of commercial coverage to address the different exposures associated with solar panel installation and related contracting work.
General Liability Insurance
Solar contractor general liability insurance may help protect your business against certain claims involving bodily injury or property damage arising from your operations.
For example, installation work could accidentally damage a roof, falling materials could damage property below, or a third party could be injured around an active work area. Depending on the circumstances and policy terms, general liability insurance may provide coverage for qualifying claims.
Homeowners, general contractors, commercial property owners, developers, and other customers may also require proof of general liability insurance before allowing solar installation work to begin.
Workers' Compensation Insurance
Solar installation employees can encounter a number of workplace hazards, including heights, ladders, electrical components, power tools, heavy solar panels, and construction materials.
Workers' compensation insurance may provide benefits for qualifying employees who experience work-related injuries or illnesses. Requirements can vary depending on the structure of the business and where the contractor operates.
Commercial Auto Insurance
Solar contractors frequently use vans, pickup trucks, trailers, and other vehicles to transport employees, panels, mounting systems, tools, and equipment between jobsites.
Commercial auto insurance may provide liability and physical damage coverage for qualifying business-owned vehicles. Additional coverage options might be appropriate depending on vehicle ownership and how vehicles are used.
Solar panels, tools, and other property transported in or on a vehicle may require separate coverage, so these exposures should be discussed with an insurance professional.
Tools and Equipment Insurance
Solar installation companies can have a significant investment in tools, testing devices, safety equipment, and other portable property.
Tools and equipment coverage, often provided through inland marine insurance, may help protect qualifying property while it is at a jobsite, being transported, or temporarily stored away from the contractor's primary business location.
Coverage may be available for items such as:
- Power tools
- Electrical testing equipment
- Ladders
- Fall protection equipment
- Generators
- Specialized solar installation tools
- Portable construction equipment
- Other qualifying tools and equipment
Available coverage, limits, deductibles, and eligible property can vary by insurance company and policy.
Commercial Property Insurance
Solar contractors who own or lease an office, warehouse, shop, or storage facility may want to consider commercial property insurance.
Depending on the policy, coverage may help protect buildings, office equipment, supplies, inventory, and other qualifying business property against certain covered losses.
Commercial Umbrella or Excess Liability Insurance
Some solar installation companies may need liability limits beyond those provided by their primary insurance policies.
Commercial umbrella or excess liability insurance may provide additional limits above certain underlying policies. Higher limits might also be required when working for general contractors, developers, municipalities, commercial property owners, or other larger organizations.
Insurance for Different Types of Solar Contractors
Solar contractors can perform a variety of installation and related services. The specific work performed may influence insurance eligibility, coverage options, and pricing.
Insurance options may be available for businesses involved in:
- Residential solar panel installation
- Commercial solar installation
- Rooftop solar systems
- Ground-mounted solar systems
- Solar panel replacement
- Solar system maintenance and repair
- Solar electrical connections
- Solar mounting and racking systems
- Battery storage installation
- Solar system upgrades
Contractors should accurately describe all services they perform when applying for insurance. Electrical work, roofing work, battery storage systems, large commercial projects, ground-mounted installations, or other specialized operations may require different insurance classifications or additional coverage.
Roofing and Property Damage Exposures
Many residential and commercial solar systems are installed directly onto existing roofs. This can create property damage exposures that may be particularly important for solar contractors.
Installation work can involve drilling, mounting hardware, flashing, electrical penetrations, and moving equipment across finished roofing surfaces. An installation problem could potentially contribute to roof damage, water intrusion, or damage to other portions of a building.
General liability insurance may provide protection for certain qualifying property damage claims, but coverage depends on the circumstances and specific policy language. Solar contractors should make sure rooftop installation work is accurately disclosed when obtaining insurance.
Completed Operations Coverage for Solar Contractors
A solar contractor's potential liability may continue after an installation has been completed. Problems involving mounting systems, electrical connections, wiring, or other completed work could potentially result in a claim after the contractor has left the property.
General liability policies may include products-completed operations coverage for certain qualifying claims arising from completed work. Coverage can vary based on policy terms, conditions, exclusions, and applicable limits.
Because solar systems are intended to remain in service for many years, completed operations exposures should be carefully considered when developing an insurance program.
Solar Contractors and Subcontractors
Solar companies may use subcontractors for roofing, electrical work, excavation, installation, or other portions of a project. Insurance companies can have specific requirements regarding subcontracted operations.
Contractors may need to obtain certificates of insurance from subcontractors and verify that appropriate coverage is maintained. Written subcontractor agreements and additional insured requirements might also be appropriate depending on the project.
The amount and type of subcontracted work should be accurately disclosed when obtaining solar contractor insurance.
Protect Your Solar Installation Business
A solar installation business can represent a significant investment in employees, vehicles, tools, equipment, inventory, and professional expertise. Appropriate insurance coverage can help provide financial protection when certain unexpected accidents or losses occur.
The insurance needs of a residential rooftop solar installer may differ considerably from those of a contractor installing larger commercial or ground-mounted systems. Annual revenue, payroll, project size, working heights, electrical operations, equipment values, vehicles, subcontractor usage, and claims history can all influence coverage needs and pricing.
Working with an independent insurance agent can provide access to multiple insurance companies and coverage options, helping you find an insurance program appropriate for your solar installation business.
FAQs
What insurance does a solar installation contractor need?
A solar contractor's insurance program may include general liability, workers' compensation, commercial auto, tools and equipment, and commercial property insurance. Umbrella or excess liability and other specialized coverage may also be appropriate depending on the type and size of solar projects performed.
Does solar contractor insurance cover roof damage?
General liability insurance may provide coverage for certain qualifying property damage claims arising from solar installation work. Whether roof damage or resulting damage is covered can depend on how the loss occurred and the terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions of the policy.
Does solar contractor insurance cover panels, tools, and equipment?
Coverage for qualifying tools and portable equipment may be available through inland marine or contractors equipment insurance. Solar panels and other materials may require different coverage depending on whether they are being stored, transported, or installed at a jobsite. Available coverage can vary by policy.
How much does solar installation contractor insurance cost?
Solar contractor insurance costs can vary based on annual revenue, payroll, number of employees, project size, residential versus commercial work, working heights, electrical operations, vehicles, equipment values, subcontractor usage, claims history, and selected coverage limits. Comparing options from multiple insurance companies can help identify an insurance program appropriate for the business.