Does home insurance cover solar panels in Perth?

Solar panels are a permanent fixture of your home — attached to the roof, wired into the electrical system. For insurance purposes, this typically makes them part of the building (home/structure) section of your home insurance policy.

But before you rely on this assumption, there are some details worth verifying with your specific insurer.

How solar panels fit into home insurance

Building vs contents coverage: Home insurance typically has two components:

• Building: covers the physical structure (walls, roof, fixtures permanently attached to the structure)
• Contents: covers removable items inside the home

Solar panels are generally treated as part of the building. Panels mounted on the roof, an inverter fixed to the wall, a battery cabinet bolted to the garage — these are typically building items. The monitoring gateway and any disconnectable accessories might be contents.

Replacement value: Building insurance generally covers the cost of repairing or replacing damaged solar components with equivalent new components. This is the relevant coverage for the most common damage scenarios.

What Perth weather events are covered

Hailstorms: Perth does experience hail, most commonly from October–April. A hailstorm significant enough to crack solar panels is the most common weather-related solar insurance claim in WA.

Most home insurance policies cover hail damage to buildings. Check whether your policy covers the full panel replacement cost or applies a betterment deduction (reducing the payout because new panels are better than the damaged old ones).

High winds: Strong winds can dislodge panels from their mounting if installation is substandard. Most policies cover wind damage, but insurers may investigate whether the installation met Australian Standards (AS/NZS 1170.2 wind load requirements). If the installation was defective, coverage may be disputed.

Lightning: Direct lightning strike can damage panels, inverters, and associated wiring. Coverage is typically included under most policies.

Fire: House fires involving the solar system or battery storage are covered under fire clauses. Battery storage fires are increasingly referenced in policy underwriting; some insurers ask whether you have a home battery when providing a quote.

Theft: Panels are bolted to rooftops — theft is rare, but possible during periods when properties are vacant. Coverage for theft of building fixtures varies; check your policy.

What's typically excluded or disputed

Wear and tear and gradual degradation: Panel degradation (0.4%/yr) is normal and expected — not an insurable event. If your panels produce 15% less power after 10 years, that's degradation, not damage.

Power surge damage: Inverter damage from grid power surges may or may not be covered, depending on whether your policy includes electrical/mechanical breakdown or surge coverage. Standard "listed events" policies may exclude this; "accidental damage" or "all risks" endorsements typically include it.

Battery storage — check specifically: Home battery insurance varies by insurer. Some insurers include battery systems as a standard building item. Others have specific exclusions or loading for battery storage due to fire risk. If you have or are planning a home battery, specifically ask your insurer:

• Is the battery covered under the building section?
• Is there any exclusion for battery thermal events?
• Does the premium change with a battery?

Cosmetic damage: If a hailstorm cracks the glass on two panels but they still generate power, the panels are technically damaged but functional. Some insurers will only pay to restore function, not appearance.

Checking your policy coverage

Read the product disclosure statement (PDS): Look for how the policy defines "building" — solar panels should be mentioned explicitly or fall under fixtures/fittings.

Check the sum insured: Your building sum insured should reflect the full cost of rebuilding your home, including the solar system. If you added solar after initially setting your sum insured, update the figure to include the system cost (approximately $8,000–$20,000+ depending on system size).

Notify your insurer: When you install solar, notify your insurer. Some policies require material changes to the property to be disclosed. Failure to notify doesn't automatically void coverage, but it avoids any question about non-disclosure if you need to claim.

Making a claim for storm-damaged panels

Step 1: Document the damage with photographs immediately.

Step 2: Contact your insurer to report the damage. They will ask for photos, the installation date, and the installer's details.

Step 3: An assessor (the insurer's loss adjuster) may inspect the panels. For significant damage, they typically send a qualified person.

Step 4: The insurer will arrange repair or replacement via their preferred suppliers, or agree to a cash settlement.

Timing note: after a major Perth hailstorm, solar panel claims surge simultaneously. Panel supply and installers can be in high demand — repairs may take weeks.

Insurance coverage is determined by your specific policy. Read your product disclosure statement and contact your insurer with specific questions. This information is general in nature and not financial advice.