Quick answer
Usually yes: standard homeowners policies generally cover rooftop panels as part of the house. Tell your insurer when they're installed, since panels raise your rebuild cost and you may need a higher dwelling limit. Ground mounts fall under other-structures coverage, which is often only 10% of the dwelling limit. Illinois ranked third nationally for State Farm hail claims in 2025, so check your hail deductible.
Does homeowners insurance cover solar panels?
| Setup | Usually covered under | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Rooftop panels you own | Dwelling coverage | Whether your dwelling limit covers the added rebuild cost |
| Ground-mounted panels | Other structures coverage | Often capped at 10% of the dwelling limit, shared with sheds and fences |
| Leased panels | Often the leasing company | Your lease: some require you to insure the panels yourself |
Policies differ, and some exclude damage to attachments from specific causes such as wind. Ask your agent for the answer in writing.
Will my insurance premium go up with solar?
It can, slightly. Panels raise your home's rebuild cost, and if you increase your dwelling limit to cover them, the premium usually rises with it. That's better than being underinsured: if the panels aren't counted in your limit, a total loss could leave you short. Call your insurer when the system is installed, with the installed cost in hand.
How often does hail damage solar panels in Illinois?
Illinois gets a lot of hail. State Farm ranked Illinois third in the nation for hail claims in 2025, after ranking it second in 2024, and the state recorded 142 tornadoes in 2024, a record, per State Farm's data.
Panels are built for it: standard IEC 61215 certification requires surviving 1-inch ice balls at about 51 mph, and many panels are tested to more. Damage is uncommon but possible in large hail. See solar in Illinois winters, snow and hail.
What should I ask my insurer before going solar?
- 1
Is rooftop solar covered under dwelling coverage?
And are there any exclusions for wind or hail damage to attachments?
- 2
Do I need to raise my dwelling limit?
Give them the installed cost of the system.
- 3
What's my wind and hail deductible?
Many policies use a separate, higher deductible for these claims.
- 4
How are ground mounts covered?
Check that your other-structures limit is high enough.
Damage caused during installation is the installer's responsibility, so confirm they carry liability insurance. The Illinois Department of Insurance takes complaints about insurers if a claim goes wrong.
Sources
- Experian: Does homeowners insurance cover solar panels?
- Nationwide: Solar panel insurance
- MoneyGeek: Homeowners insurance coverage of solar panels
- State Farm: Hail claims in 2025
- State Farm: Illinois severe weather trend is accelerating
- U.S. Department of Energy: Evaluation of hail grain production methods (IEC 61215 hail test)
- Illinois Department of Insurance: Property insurance consumer guide
This guide is general information, not tax, legal or financial advice. Incentive programs change, so confirm current terms with your installer, your utility and a tax professional.