A roof-mounted solar system is generally part of the building and thus usually covered by the building insurance – including important natural hazard damage such as storm and hail. Nevertheless, you should report the new system to the insurance company so that the coverage amount is correct. Added to this are liability for damage to third parties and, depending on requirements, coverage for loss of yield. The information provided by your insurer is always binding. (As of: July 2026)
Key points in brief
- An on-roof system is usually considered part of the building and is often co-insured via the building insurance.
- Natural hazard coverage – storm, hail, snow pressure – is the most important component and is broadly established in Switzerland.
- Report the new system: only when the value of the system is recorded will the compensation be correct in the event of a claim.
- Liability comes into play if the system causes damage to third parties.
- Whether additional loss of yield or all-risk coverage makes sense depends on the system and the situation.
Is my solar system automatically insured?
Often, but not guaranteed – and that is the crucial point. A system permanently mounted on the roof is usually considered part of the building in Switzerland. Thus, it generally falls under the building insurance, which insures the house anyway. However, automatic does not mean that the insurance company knows about the new system.
Therefore, reporting it to the building insurer is part of the completion of every project. The reason is simple: the sum insured is based on the value of the building. If a solar system is added, this value increases. If this is not updated, a gap can arise in the event of a claim – the system is generally covered, but not for its full value. A short call or a letter after commissioning takes care of this.
In Switzerland, building insurance is regulated via a cantonal building insurance in many cantons, in others privately. Exactly how a solar system is included therefore differs depending on the canton and policy. This cannot be answered generally – your insurer provides the binding information.
What damage does the insurance cover?
The most important risks for a solar system are weather events – and exactly these are broadly covered by natural hazard coverage.
Natural hazard damage. This includes storm, hail, snow pressure and other natural events. For a system on the roof, this is the central component, because wind and weather act directly here. What hail classes mean and how robustly modules are built today can be found in the article on solar modules and hail; if something breaks despite everything, the handling of hail damage is a separate topic.
Fire and lightning. Fire and lightning damage are also part of the standard scope of building insurance. The article on fire risk during operation provides information on the subject of fire and how small the risk is with professional installation.
Other events. Depending on the policy and additional coverage, damage caused by theft, vandalism or – via extended coverage – technical defects are also included. It is worth taking a look at the small print here, because these points are not automatically included everywhere.
What is included in your specific policy is stated in the insurance conditions. This article categorises the components; it does not replace insurance advice.
When do I need liability insurance – and what about the loss of yield?
Two questions that go beyond pure property insurance.
Liability comes into effect if your system causes damage to others – for example, if a part comes loose during a storm and falls onto a neighbouring property or a parked car. Such cases are rare, but can be expensive. Usually, private or building liability is the right framework for this; whether your existing coverage includes the system is best clarified directly with the insurer.
Loss of yield is the softer point. If the system fails for weeks after a damage event, you miss out on your own solar power and the feed-in during this time. For a single-family home, this amount is manageable, which is why many do without it. For larger systems, where the feed-in carries more economic weight, loss of yield coverage can make sense. This is a trade-off, not a requirement.
| Component | Covers | Especially relevant for whom |
|---|---|---|
| Building/natural hazard | Storm, hail, snow, fire, lightning | every roof-mounted system |
| Liability | Damage to third parties caused by the system | every owner |
| Loss of yield | lost electricity/yield after damage | rather larger systems |
| All-risk/technology | additional technical defects | depending on requirements, optional |
Guidance, as of: July 2026. Your policy and the conditions of your insurer are binding.
The most common gap we encounter is not a lack of insurance – but an unreported system. Many assume that everything is automatically covered with the installation, and forget to inform the building insurer. We therefore point this out when handing over every project: a short letter with the value of the system, and the coverage amount is correct. The second point we often raise: after a storm, document and report first before anyone climbs onto the roof. What applies to the procedure in the event of a claim is stated separately – what matters most here is that the system is recorded at all.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to take out separate solar insurance?
Usually not. A roof-mounted system is generally co-insured via the building insurance. It is important to report the new system so that its value is included in the sum insured. A separate policy is only necessary in special cases – your insurer will clarify this.
Is hail damage to the solar system insured?
Generally yes, via the natural hazard coverage, which includes hail. Modern modules are also built to be robust against hail. If damage nevertheless occurs, the rule is: first document, then report to the insurer. The processing is described in the article on hail damage.
Does the insurance also pay if the inverter simply fails?
A normal technical defect without an external cause usually falls under the manufacturer's warranty, not the building insurance. Only extended technology or all-risk coverage sometimes includes such cases. In the event of a failure, it is worth looking at the warranty and guarantee first.
What happens in terms of insurance when the house is sold?
The system remains part of the building and is transferred with it. The building insurance usually transfers to the new owner. It is important that the system is correctly recorded in the policy – this should be documented anyway during the sale.
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Sources: General basics of building, natural hazard and liability insurance in Switzerland (cantonal building insurances or private insurers); empirical values from the project practice of ecoEn GmbH, Zurich region. This article does not replace insurance advice – your policy and the information provided by your insurer are binding.
Last updated: 9 July 2026 · Author: ecoEn editorial team
