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Protect Solar Panels from Hail Damage
Solar panels on your roof can be one of the best investments you make in modernizing your home and reducing your energy costs. Your home insurance policy protects solar panels from common risks, including those that impact the rest of your structure such as hail damage. If you have damage to solar panels from hail, it is important to know what steps to take to get the repairs in place and whether your home insurance policy can help you.
Protect Solar Panels for Your Home
If you have solar panels on your home, you likely spent a significant amount of money installing them. Because these are valuable investments, it is important to protect the solar panels on your home. The problem is that this can be difficult to do. One of the biggest risks to solar panels is hail damage.
A good place to start is with the solar panel manufacturer. Most manufacturers will provide clear information about how to properly install and maintain the solar panels. They will also provide insight into how to protect the panels from damage like this including from falling objects like hail. If the system is at risk, they may recommend taking steps to add protective films over the top of the panels. However, this can reduce the overall efficiency of the panels. It is best to work to meet the manufacturer’s recommendations for properly maintaining these.
What you can do, on the other hand, is to have proper home insurance to cover the risks associated with your solar panels. You cannot protect them from all types of risks and hail damage is typically one of those risks. That is why you should have home insurance that provides financial compensation to you for risks associated to your panels.
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Solar Panels and Hail – What to Expect
When there is a risk of hail damage to your solar panels, react as soon as possible. It may be possible to provide some coverage to them during such a storm. If your weather professional tells you that hail is likely, it may be possible to put in place some coverage or tools to shield the panels.
The good news is that most solar panels are designed to be highly resistant to damage from hail. While hail can be very damaging in some situations, including to your home’s roof, solar panels are designed to be even stronger. If you purchase a high-quality panel from a reputable manufacturer, chances are good hail will not damage the exterior of the panels.
How to Repair Solar Panels Hail Damage
If there is damage to your solar panels, it is wise to take the steps required by your manufacturer to fix this. This generally means contacting the manufacturer, determining if there is a warranty in place, and taking steps to find a reputable repair technician to make the update.
Solar panels and hail damage may fall under your home insurance policy, too. Like with your home’s roof, your solar panels are a permanent fixture to your home. As a result, any damage not covered under the panel’s warranty may fall under your home insurance coverage. However, there are a few key limits to this you need to know about before you assume you have coverage.
Will Home Insurance Cover Solar Panels for the Home?
Home insurance is likely to cover solar panels from many types of risks. This includes the same typical risks it would cover for the roof structure of your home. It does not cover maintenance or any tasks that fall under the homeowner’s responsibility for upkeep or normal wear and tear. It may protect against hail damage, windstorm damage, falling objects, such as trees, that cause damage, and some first. Most policies provide coverage for the repairs necessary. If it is not possible to repair the solar panels, your home insurance policy may cover the replacement of those components damaged.
Making Sure Your Solar Panels Cost Is Protected with Insurance
Most importantly, if you have solar panels on your home, you need to let your home insurance agent know about them. Many policies will not outright cover these panels unless they are a consideration and noted on the policy itself. Also, note that there are limits on how much coverage is paid out for these types of damages. Be sure your policy offers enough coverage to minimize your risks. Update your policy to reflect the value of your solar panels cost.
Solar panels and hail damage can be a big concern for you. Your home insurance coverage for solar panels can help you in most cases. Yet, you need to let your home insurance agent know about your investment in new solar panels to ensure your coverage is high enough to limit these types of risks.
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