Solar Installers Coverage Guide
Solar combines two of the highest-loss trades — roofing and electrical. Roof damage, electrical fires, and panel performance warranties create overlapping GL, completed-ops, and professional liability exposure.
Critical Coverage
General Liability
Covers third-party bodily injury and property damage claims
What it covers
Roof leaks from penetrations, electrical fires from inverters/wiring, panel falls, and damage to existing roofing during install.
Common misconception
Solar installers think they're 'electrical contractors with panels.' Carriers see solar as roofing + electrical — combining the two highest-loss trades. Underwriting is more conservative than either alone.
What it does NOT cover
Damage to your work. Pollution from chemical spills. Performance/output warranties (separate professional/warranty product).
The gap — what happens without it
An array on a residential roof leaks 14 months later — water damage to interior $42K. GL completed-ops pays third-party damage; you eat the leak repair.
What drives your premium
Annual revenue, residential vs. commercial vs. utility, height, claims
Endorsements to ask about
Per-project aggregate. Additional insured for property owners. Roof leak coverage explicitly granted.
Workers' Compensation
Covers employee injuries and illnesses on the job
What it covers
Falls from rooftops (heights make solar one of the higher WC rates in installation), electrical injuries, lifting injuries from heavy panels.
Common misconception
Solar firms think class code 5538 (sheet metal) covers them — most carriers want a roofing-rated 5551 exposure for solar.
What it does NOT cover
Owner exclusion. Valid 1099. Drug/alcohol.
The gap — what happens without it
Installer falls 22 ft from a 2-story residential roof. Compound fracture, surgery, 5 months out — $160K medical, $30K wages. WC pays.
What drives your premium
Payroll, class code, fall-protection program, state, claims
Endorsements to ask about
Voluntary comp. All-states. Higher EL.
Commercial Auto
Covers vehicles used for business purposes
What it covers
Box trucks and vans hauling panels, inverters, racking, and tools. Panel breakage in transit is a frequent claim.
Common misconception
Operators think panel cargo is covered under auto. Cargo coverage is a separate motor-truck-cargo policy or inland-marine endorsement.
What it does NOT cover
Cargo (need MTC/inland marine). Vehicles off-policy.
The gap — what happens without it
An accident damages 24 panels in transit ($28K) plus injuries — $90K total. Auto liability pays the injury portion; cargo coverage handles panels.
What drives your premium
Vehicles, MVRs, radius
Endorsements to ask about
Hired/non-owned. Cargo on policy or separate.
Commercial Umbrella
Extends limits above your primary policies
What it covers
Excess over GL/auto/EL. Roof + electrical severity makes umbrella necessary.
Common misconception
Most utility/commercial solar contracts require $5M+.
What it does NOT cover
Pollution unless follow. Punitive (some).
The gap — what happens without it
Electrical fire from an installation destroys $1.6M of commercial building. Primary GL + $2M umbrella pays.
What drives your premium
Underlying, commercial work %, claims
Endorsements to ask about
Follow-form.
Important Coverage
Professional Liability (E&O)
Covers claims of negligence or mistakes in professional services
What it covers
Performance/output warranties, system-design errors, undersizing claims, financial-savings claims from sales misrepresentation.
Common misconception
Solar firms think 'we just install — manufacturer covers panels.' Sales reps' performance promises and system-design choices are professional services exposure standard GL excludes.
What it does NOT cover
BI/PD (CGL). Faulty workmanship. Manufacturer's product liability.
The gap — what happens without it
A residential customer's actual production is 30% below your sales rep's projection. They sue for refund + financing differential — $42K. E&O pays.
What drives your premium
Sales practices, contract terms, warranty claims
Endorsements to ask about
Contractors' professional liability. Warranty claims sub-limit.
Inland Marine (Tools & Equipment)
Covers tools, equipment, and materials in transit or at job sites
What it covers
Panels in transit and on site (high theft target), inverters, racking inventory, lift equipment, hand tools.
Common misconception
Panel theft is a real and growing problem — especially commercial sites with sub-arrays staged before install.
What it does NOT cover
Wear, breakdown, mysterious disappearance.
The gap — what happens without it
A staged commercial install loses 18 panels overnight — $24K. Inland marine pays.
What drives your premium
Inventory value, site security, claims
Endorsements to ask about
Installation floater (covers materials at site until accepted). Newly acquired.
Not sure what you need?
Text us your trade and state — we'll tell you exactly what coverages apply to your business and shop the market for the best rate.