photovoltaics

The cantonal buildings insurance covers homeowners in the case of damage resulting from fire, water or natural forces (e.g. flooding, storms or hail). Sometimes the risk to photovoltaic systems from fire and natural forces can/must be insured by the relevant cantonal buildings insurance. You will need to enquire about this directly with the buildings insurance providers.

The Helvetia photovoltaics insurance provides much greater cover though. With our solution, operating risks, theft risk, loss of income and damage to the surface used, as well as dismantling and reassembly in the event of roof damage are all insured in addition. Furthermore, we also cover the loss of income if a fire or natural disaster occurs, which is not covered by the cantonal buildings insurance.

The sum insured for the system corresponds to the contract price (including customs charges, transport, installation and miscellaneous costs).

The insurance begins when the system is set up and ready to begin operation, at the earliest. When concluding the contract, the customer can choose between terms of five and ten years.

Yes. The deductible amounts to CHF 250 as standard. With bigger systems or if specifically requested, a higher deductible is possible.

Naturally older photovoltaic systems can also be insured with us without any difficulty. Get in touch with us, we will be happy to advise you personally.

The insurance covers the costs of restoring the system to the condition it was in before the claim. For the solar modules in the photovoltaic system, compensation of the value as new applies in the first ten years of operation. All other system components are replaced at their value as new within the first five years of operation.

Furthermore, Helvetia covers any interruption losses of three, 12 or 24 months from the occurrence of the damage, whereby the duration of cover can be selected freely upon conclusion of the insurance. The fixed daily remuneration begins from the first day (with no waiting period) and no separate deductible is applied.

Clean-up and salvage costs are also covered up to the equivalent of 10% of the sum insured.

In addition to the sum insured, the following benefits are also covered for each claim:

• 20% of the sum insured for movement and protection costs (maximum CHF 20,000). If the system has to be moved due to an immediate risk, these costs are also covered up to a maximum of CHF 20,000.
• 10% of the sum insured for appreciations in the system's value (provisional coverage). If the costs of the restoring the system to the condition it was in before the claim exceed the agreed sum insured due to the high cost of purchasing solar modules, then these additional costs are also covered up to the equivalent of 10% of the sum insured.
  

Photovoltaic insurance includes all-risk coverage. This means that unforeseen and sudden damage, destruction and losses are always covered if they are not explicitly excluded. The insured events include the following:

• Incorrect use, clumsiness, carelessness
• vandalism
• animal browsing
• Theft and related occurrences
• Failure of measuring, control or safety equipment
• construction, material or manufacturing defects
• Short-circuit, overcurrent or overvoltage
• Effects of water and moisture
• temperature effects
  

In addition to the basic cover and the loss of income (these benefits are outlined under the question above), the Helvetia photovoltaic insurance comprises two further relevant elements that are always included in the insurance:

Damage to the surfaces used

This cover applies for the costs of the surface used (roof) that can be traced back to the operation or maintenance of the system. These costs are insured for the first risk with CHF 5,000.

Dismantling and reassembly costs

This cover includes the costs arising as a consequence of sudden and unforeseen damage to the roof, the repair of which requires dismantling and reassembly. These costs are covered up to an amount of CHF 30,000.

The builder's liability insurance offers supplementary cover that insures against bodily injury and damage to property and assets belonging to third parties during the assembly of the photovoltaic system. During the assembly, there may be risks to nearby persons and property as a result of the building activity, and the property owner is liable for these according to article 679 of the CC. Often these risks are not covered under the property owner’s private liability insurance during the construction and assembly period. With builder’s liability insurance, you can protect yourself from the financial consequences of such damages. The duration of this supplementary cover is based on the duration of the assembly. The sum insured is CHF 3,000,000.

The installation liability insurance offers supplementary cover that insures against bodily injury and damage to property and assets belonging to third parties during the operating phase of the photovoltaic system. The supplementary cover can be concluded either with a sum insured of CHF 5,000,000 or CHF 10,000,000. The deductible is CHF 300.00 This cover is recommended particularly when the installation is situated on a rented roof (contracting) or is particularly exposed (e.g. roof of a school).

The builder's liability and installation liability insurances can be included optionally on very favourable terms.