Do I need to tell my home insurer about solar panels or a battery, and what is an insurance-backed guarantee?

In more detail

• Insurers generally treat roof panels as part of the buildings sum insured; the sum insured may need increasing (insurer guidance).
• Non-disclosure of a material change can let an insurer reduce or refuse a claim; disclose batteries and their location.
• RECC: all members must insure deposits and stage payments and the workmanship warranties they issue; the insurer may be named on the MCS certificate.
• RECC-listed providers: deposit cover 35-120+ days; insurance-backed guarantees of 1-12 years; many require defects to be reported within 30 days of discovery and some require the consumer to register the policy.
• Manufacturer warranties (panels, inverter, battery) are separate from the workmanship warranty and the IBG.

The facts, dated

1. 01
   RECC members must insure deposits, advance payments and workmanship warranties

   regulation · UK · checked 24 September 2026 · recc.org.uk

2. 02
   RECC-listed IBG providers offer cover of 1-12 years; CPA/HIP/IWA/QANW require defects reported within 30 days of discovery — 1-12 years

   market_data · UK · checked 24 September 2026 · recc.org.uk

What we saw in the field

[QA review 2026-09-24] C2-6 ADDS (40.5 kWh bank is a material change for insurers). | Earlier notes: Adds a point missing from field evidence: none of the videos mention insurer disclosure; Customer 2's 40.5 kWh battery bank is exactly the kind of change insurers want to know about.

Sources

• recc.org.uk — www.recc.org.uk/consumers/about-deposit-and-workmanship-warranty-protection

Last checked: 24 September 2026