Urgent please help insurance and solar panels.No insurance after Wednesday!!!!!

teachergirl

Just to let you all know. I picked NFU mutual because they were top of Which magazines best buy list and they were very friendly on the phone. However although a little calmer now I am still very angry about the whole business. I phoned tesco who are installing my panels.They said they had never heard of this before and phoned NFU posing as a customer and sure enough yet again they said they would take them on but when they checked with the underwriters they then declined them on acount of them being a business. Tesco then phoned around for me and also came up with liverpool victoria who specifically mention solar panels in their policy and say that they cover them. I am now the proud owner of a new household insurance policy with LV Which was also a more than a hundred pounds cheaper than my other policy and a which best buy.:D
I am now about to e-mail the Which magazine because I spoke to them on the phone and they said they thought it was ludicrous and they would like to follow it up. If I have anytime after this I might try watchdog........;)
Anyway thank you to everyone who has responded. I knew my friends on here would help. You are all wonderful:A

zeupater

Hi

I can't actually see how they could assume that you would be a business .... you would not be a registered business, you would not be paying business rates, you would not be paying business tax, you would not be issuing invoices, etc, etc ...... NFU obviously need to revisit their definition of 'business' as this could be very costly to their business model in rural areas where businesses and individuals tend to favour their cover.

I know people who have contacted NFU to query solar array insurance cover and the NFU answer has definately not been as you describe, their replies have been generally in line with the positions of other insurers which have been posted on this thread .... perhaps this is peculiar to the NFU branch office you have contacted, or simply miscommunication within the organisation ... did you specifically mention that the payments in question would be inline with the FiT system ?

NFU mutual seem to understand solar pv as they have the following article on their site ... http://www.nfumutual.co.uk/lifestyle/solar-energy-for-your-home.htm .... also, they have provided comment regarding solar pv insurance ... http://www.money-marketuk.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1071:going-green-does-your-home-insurance-cover-you&catid=70:insurance&Itemid=395 ..... I think that you should contact a different branch office to check this out before any panic sets in .... http://www.nfumutual.co.uk/local-offices/index.htm ... and do ensure that, after discussion, their decision is confirmed in writing.

HTH

teachergirl

Wow Zeupater I am totally gobsmacked by that on the website and wish I had read it before talking to them. I was not however talking to a local office but using their own 0800 number to the main offices. The individuals I spoke to all thought I would be covered but it was when they spoke to the underwriters that the problem occurred. My system will be a 3.96kw system and this it seems according to their underwriters to be big enough not to be covered under their policy. They did say that a local rep could come out and to a more specific policy at my house for businesses. I asked them twice to please check again that this was the case and each time I was told that the underwriters would not budge. Given that I only had two days before my panals were being fitted and they were going to end my policy I did not have time to make an appointment for someone to come around and assess me. LV actually mention specifically solar panals so I went with them

Equaliser123

Just to confirm, I am assuming that the solar panels are noted on the Buildings insurance (and not contents)?

teachergirl

Hi equaliser123 . Yes they are noted on the buildings insurance. My solar panels are going up as I write this now. I feel really sorry for the men, it is FREEZING here.:)

gjpountain

Just to add my experience,
I'm insured with Aviva for both contents and building.
Phoned them and said that I had now got £12,000 pounds worth of Solar panels on the roof was I insured?
The lady said she thought I was but would check with the underwriters. I was left hanging on the phone for a few minutes and when she returned she said Yes I it was definitely included on the building side of the insurance. I asked how was I to know that I was insured other than by the telephone conversation.
She said that all phone calls were recorded and that she would make a note of the change on my policy details.
So there you have it - hope this is helpful for those insured with Aviva.
Regards to all.

John_Gasston

I have had hot water solar panels on my roof from december 2008. During this winter I have found that there may be burst pipes inside the units due to frost. Insured with Direct Line I have been told that they are classed as outside plumbing and not covered by there Home and Contents Plus policy.
I a waiting for a Solar Engineer to come, expected 27th January at a call out of £109 + vat for 1st hour. etc etc.
Is anyone aware of this issue or anyone know what I can do - quick to take your money but also quick to come up with exclusions!!!!!

Ms_Chocaholic

John
I think you would be better starting a new thread - you are more likely to get more responses that way
HTH
Ms Choc x

mutley1000

Hi there i have solar panels and had a nightmare with my insurance company saying tht they7 wldnt insure my roof. i found a small company that did. they are a new company called ROOF'IN'SURE and they covered my roof, even though i have solar panels. yipeee. i experienced a leak where my solar panels are two weeks after installation and within two days i had a roofer on my doorstep to fix them even though the damage was accidental. i have searched many insurers and have not found any other company that offers this service. email waynemutley@hotmail.co.uk and i will pass on there details.

suecoo66

Tesco do panels?
I've been sent a contract by Isis to sign but dubious about doing this. Are the Tesco ones free?

teachergirl wrote: »

Just to let you all know. I picked NFU mutual because they were top of Which magazines best buy list and they were very friendly on the phone. However although a little calmer now I am still very angry about the whole business. I phoned tesco who are installing my panels.They said they had never heard of this before and phoned NFU posing as a customer and sure enough yet again they said they would take them on but when they checked with the underwriters they then declined them on acount of them being a business. Tesco then phoned around for me and also came up with liverpool victoria who specifically mention solar panels in their policy and say that they cover them. I am now the proud owner of a new household insurance policy with LV Which was also a more than a hundred pounds cheaper than my other policy and a which best buy.:D
I am now about to e-mail the Which magazine because I spoke to them on the phone and they said they thought it was ludicrous and they would like to follow it up. If I have anytime after this I might try watchdog........;)
Anyway thank you to everyone who has responded. I knew my friends on here would help. You are all wonderful:A