Our insured experienced wind damage to the roof of their home requiring replacement of the roof. The insured has "Leased" solar panels on the roof. To replace the roof surface material, the solar panels will require removal and reinstallation. The contract from the solar company only addresses their responsibility if damage occurs to the solar panels. Would the cost to remove and reset the solar panels be covered under Coverage A, as they are not owned by the insured?

Massachusetts Subscriber

You have a really interesting question. The solar panels aren't damaged, they're just in the way, so whether or not the insured owns them or they are leased makes no difference; they have to be removed in order for the roof to be repaired. I'm looking at the ISO HO 00 03 03 22, and there are no exclusions for the removal of leased property in order to repair the building itself. As solar panels become more popular coverage may change, but at this point I don't see anything that would exclude coverage for removing the solar panels, fixing the roof, and replacing the solar panels. It's all part of the roof repair.