Solar Panel Contractor & Installer Insurance
Specialist insurance for solar panel contractors from £19 a month*.
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Levels of cover to suit you
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With demand for renewable energy rising, it’s an exciting time to be a solar panel installer. Whether you specialise in fitting photovoltaic systems or solar thermal heating panels, the future may look very bright for your business.
However, your work comes with significant risks. Handling large solar panels, often at height, can lead to accidents. From injuring members of the public to damaging customers’ property, a lot can go wrong. And if the worst should happen, you could face significant costs. This means it’s imperative that you get suitable insurance.
At Markel Direct, we offer tailored solar contractor insurance that can help you to protect your business and provide added peace of mind.
What is solar panel contractor and installer insurance?
Solar panel installer insurance covers you for the specific financial risks you face in your profession. It can include a number of forms of financial protection. For example, public liability cover is often considered to be an essential element of these policies. Other important forms of protection for solar panel fitters can include tools insurance, employers’ liability protection and occupational personal accident, among others.
At Markel Direct, we offer a full range of cover options designed to help you safeguard your solar panel installation business.
Public liability insurance for solar panel contractors and installers
When you’re installing solar panels, whether it’s on customers’ homes or commercial premises, you are in contact with members of the public. This means there is always a risk that you will be subject to a liability claim for personal injury or property damage caused by your business.
For example, as you’re fitting panels to a roof, one may fall and damage your client’s fencing. Or a piece of equipment may slide off a platform you’re working on and hit a member of the public who is passing by, resulting in serious or even fatal injuries.
In cases like these, you could find yourself facing major compensation costs and legal fees. Public liability insurance is there to cover these expenses.
Do I need solar panel contractor and installer insurance?
As a solar panel contractor, it is likely that you will need certain types of financial protection. Handling large solar panels and other equipment at height poses an obvious risk to the public, yourself and any workers you may have. If you lack suitable cover, your business could face severe financial consequences.
For example, what if you fit a solar panel incorrectly, meaning it blows off in high winds and causes significant property damage? Could your finances cope with the fallout of such an event? Or what if a ladder you are leaning against a house goes through a window? Would you be able to pay to repair the damage? If situations like these would jeopardise your finances, it’s important to make sure you have appropriate solar panel fitter insurance in place. Some clients may even require you to have solar panel installation insurance before they’ll agree to use your services.
If you have employees, you will need insurance to cover them too. No matter how careful you and your workers are, there is always a chance of injury. For example, an employee might fall from height and suffer major injuries, meaning you face large compensation costs and legal fees. Employers’ liability insurance isn’t optional. If you have people working for your business, you are legally required to take this cover out.
Also consider the equipment you rely on to do your job. Having suitable tools insurance in place will mean that if this equipment is stolen, lost or damaged, you won’t have to foot the bill to replace or repair it yourself.
Why choose Markel Direct for solar panel contractor and installer insurance?
At Markel Direct, we pride ourselves on offering solar panel contractor and installer insurance that you can rely on. Below are some of the reasons to choose us as your cover provider.
✔ Get a quote without delay
There’s no need to hang around when you want a solar panel installer quote from us. Simply complete our online form and we’ll provide a quote in under two minutes.
✔ No need to worry about hidden fees
In the past, you might have been hit by unexpected fees when arranging insurance. Thanks to our transparent pricing, you can rest assured this won’t happen when you get cover from us.
✔ Tailored solar panel contractor insurance
We know that no two solar panel contractors are exactly the same. That’s why we offer tailored cover to match your exact requirements.
✔ Legal advice available 24/7
You don’t have to wait to get expert legal advice if you have insurance with Markel Direct. We operate a round-the-clock legal advice helpline run by experienced solicitors.
✔ Customer reviews that speak for themselves
To find out what our customers think about our tradesperson insurance, take a look at our impressive ratings on Feefo.com.
How to buy solar panel contractor and installer insurance
Purchasing solar panel installer insurance from us couldn’t be easier. Simply complete our online quote form and we’ll provide you with a quote there and then.
You can opt for your cover to start straight away or arrange it up to 30 days in advance.
How much does solar panel contractor and installer insurance cost?
The amount you pay in premiums for your solar panel contractor insurance will depend on a number of factors, such as the types of cover you’re looking for, how large your business is and the level of protection you need.
Get a quote from us today to see how much your premium will be.
*Price based on a solar panel installer requiring £1 million of public liability insurance.
Cover starting from £19 a month
Build a solar panel contractor and installer insurance policy to suit you
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Public liability insurance
Public liability insurance is there to cover the compensation costs and legal fees if a customer or member of the public sues you over an injury or property damage caused by your business. Our policies are available with cover limits of between £1 million and £5 million.
Example of a claim:
While installing panels on a roof, one falls down and lands on your customer’s garden shed, causing major damage. The client seeks compensation to cover the cost of rebuilding the shed. -
Employers' liability insurance
Employers’ liability insurance protects you if a worker suffers an injury or illness because of their work and sues you as a result. You’re required by law to have a minimum of £5 million of this type of protection in place if you have employees. Our cover has a limit of £10 million.
Example of a claim:
A ladder collapses as one of your workers is climbing it to get onto a roof, causing them to suffer serious injuries. They take legal action against you over the accident. -
Tool insurance
Tools insurance protects the equipment you rely on as a solar panel installer if it is stolen, damaged or lost. Our policies are available with cover limits ranging from £1,000 to £5,000. You can choose between protecting your tools 24/7 or only during working hours (8am – 8pm).
Example of a claim:
A crucial piece of equipment falls from height while you are working on a job. You need to buy a replacement. -
Occupational personal accident insurance
Occupational personal accident insurance supports your income if you’re unable to work due to an injury you sustain because of your job. It can provide either a lump sum or weekly payments, depending on the nature of your injury.
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Owned plant insurance
Owned plant insurance is there to cover the cost of replacing or repairing plant machinery you own if it is stolen or damaged. We provide policies with cover limits of between £10,000 and £50,000.
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Hired in plant insurance
Hired in plant insurance provides protection if plant machinery you have hired from a third party is stolen or damaged. Choose from cover limits ranging from £10,000 to £50,000.
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Contract works insurance
Contract works insurance protects your finances if you have to pay to redo or repair work you have completed on a construction site in the event of a fire, theft, flood or act of malicious damage.
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Goods in transit insurance
Goods in transit insurance is designed to protect you if your goods are damaged or lost while being moved from one place to another. It covers items being transported in your own vehicles or by a courier.
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Professional indemnity insurance
Professional indemnity insurance covers you if you make a mistake in the advice or service you provide.
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SupportCover starting from £19 a month
Frequently asked questions
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Is business insurance a legal requirement for solar panel contractors and installers?
No, most forms of insurance are not a legal requirement for solar panel installers. The exception to this is if you have people working for your business, in which case you are required by law to take out employers’ liability insurance.
Although the law doesn’t demand that you take out other types of cover, it’s important to consider the possible financial implications if you lack the relevant protection. -
Can I just cover my most expensive tools?
When you purchase tools insurance from us, you must cover all your equipment. This means you’re fully protected in the event of a claim. If you don’t cover all your tools, this could mean your claim is not covered, or it could result in you getting a smaller sum in compensation.
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What should I do if a client asks me for proof of insurance?
If a client asks you for proof of insurance, you can show them the 'Confirmation of Liability Insurance' we send you by email when you buy cover from us.
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How is Markel regulated?
Markel is regulated by the Prudential Regulation Authority and the Financial Conduct Authority. If you would like more information, you can visit the Financial Services Register.
Access free legal services for your solar panel installing business when you arrange cover with Markel, including:
24/7 access to a legal advice helpline manned by qualified solicitors
Access legal templates and resources with the Markel Business Hub
Receive discounted IR35 contract reviews with your policy
Expert management of public relations crises with The Counsel House