Plug-in solar kits went on sale in Great Britain at the end of August 2026, and the insurance industry has started to set out what it expects of the people using them.
What they said
Zurich UK published a safety release on 1 September. It says some properties are not ready for plug-in solar: older wiring, inadequate electrical protection and incorrectly installed equipment can increase the risk of overheating, electric shock and, in the worst cases, fire. Its tips are to have older wiring checked (an Electrical Installation Condition Report), to buy equipment that meets UK requirements from reputable suppliers and take extra care on online marketplaces, to plug directly into a wall socket, to inspect the system regularly, and to get permission from a landlord or freeholder where needed.
RiskSTOP, a risk-assessment firm that works with insurers, told Claims Media on 21 September that plug-in systems should not be considered risk-free. It says they bring many of the electrical, fire and structural hazards of conventional solar, along with risks from user installation, product compliance, mounting and interaction with existing circuits, and that insurers and brokers will want to know what has been installed and where.
In Homebuilding & Renovating on 17 September, experts from Go.Compare and Tesco Insurance said a plug-in kit will usually be covered as contents rather than buildings, that you should tell your insurer about it, and that using a product that does not meet the new specification, or not following the manufacturer’s guidance, could affect a claim. They also flagged theft: many policies treat items kept outside differently.
The government’s Interim Product Specification makes the same point. It requires manufacturers’ instructions to say that users are responsible for checking, before installation, whether the product may affect their insurance, including any insurance covering the building.
What it means for you
- Tell your insurer before you install, and ask whether the kit is covered as contents, what the terms are for items kept outdoors, and whether any single-item limit applies.
- Buy a kit listed as compliant on the ENA Type Test Register and keep the receipt, the serial number, a photo and the register reference. See every kit the register lists.
- Check your electrics first if your wiring is old or you are unsure of it, and plug straight into a wall socket.
- Renters and leaseholders need permission from the landlord or freeholder before installing. See landlord and freeholder permission.
Our home insurance guide covers contents and buildings cover, theft and what to tell your insurer in more detail. This is general information, not financial advice.