Are you considering going solar? If so, you’re probably excited about saving money on your energy bills and reducing your carbon footprint. But before you sign a contract with a Solar Contractor, there’s one important thing you need to do: make sure they have general liability insurance coverage.
General liability insurance is a type of insurance that protects businesses from lawsuits. If a Solar Contractor damages your property or injures you or someone else on your property, their general liability insurance will cover the costs of the damages or injuries. This is important because solar installation can be a challenging process, and there is always the potential for accidents. Especially as most solar installations occur on rooftops where roof penetrations occur, and the potential of roof leaks can be an issue depending on the age of your roof.
If a Solar Contractor does not have general liability insurance, you could be held liable for any damages or injuries that occur. This could be a financial burden, and it could also damage your property and leave you financially at risk.
To find out if a Solar Contractor has general liability insurance, simply ask them to provide you with a copy of their certificate of insurance. You can also check with your state’s insurance contractor license board to verify that the contractor is properly insured, licensed and bonded.
You can also ask the Solar Contractor to add you as an additional insured on their insurance policy. If you’re an additional insured on the contractor’s policy, you can file a claim to pay for the damages and legal fees rather than relying on your insurance. Most companies include language in their contracts for contractors to indemnify, or pay for, any liability lawsuits that stem from their work.
Checking a Solar Contractor’s general liability insurance is just one of the things you should do to protect yourself before going solar. It’s also important to get multiple quotes from different contractors and to make sure you understand the terms of the contract before you sign it.
All Solar Insure certified partners have the following:
- General Liability Insurance checked annually
- Online Reputation Checked Monthly
- OSHA Violation Checks
- Credit History Checks and Audits Quarterly
By taking these steps and working with a Solar Insure Certified Partner, you can be sure that you’re making a wise investment in your home and your future.