Home Insurance, Solar Panels, and You: Florida Edition

[Bill]

https://flvoicenews.com/patronis-war...installations/

Florida’s chief financial officer warns solar panels can worsen insurance costs

Florida News
By Owen Girard
Published May. 10, 2024, 3:02 p.m. ET | Updated May. 10, 2024


TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis warned of potential increased home insurance costs and pitfalls for some surrounding an increase in solar panel installation prevalence.

“I’m concerned policy promoting putting solar on roofs makes homes MORE vulnerable to storms, impacting premiums,” Patronis said on social media. “The Governor and Legislature are doing amazing work calming Florida’s insurance market.”

“We need to scrutinize things that make homes more vulnerable – like solar,” he said.

Patronis also highlighted in a press release some of the “serious red flags” that consumers need to be aware of when purchasing solar panels.

“In the Florida market, there are only certain insurance companies that cover homes with solar panels, limiting the options of these households right off the bat,” he said. “Reports show that these homeowners could also see higher premiums over time, due to a need for specialized coverage, or for the replacement of a solar panel because they are outside and are more vulnerable to the elements.”

Patronis’ office explained how many states have implemented incentives for residents to install solar panels on their homes. The push has resulted in a 1,106% increase in residential solar panel installations across the country.

“Aside from insurance, the weight of a solar panel could potentially cause structural damage to your roof over time and cause complications when you decide to sell your home,” he continued. “If you already have solar panels, it’s recommended to have a professional roof inspection every few years to ensure that the integrity of your roof is not being impacted.”

“Every Floridian should do their research, inform themselves on all aspects of these products, and be aware of the potential pitfalls of solar panels so you can decide what’s best for your biggest investment – your home,” Patronis said.

The office advised Floridians to do their research and make sure that if they install solar panels, they know if the panels are covered by insurance and how it would effect their premiums.

Additionally, the office emphasized the importance of getting the right panels for your roof, as well as what your responsibilities are in regards to the panels if you choose to ultimately sell your house.

Progressive activist and former state lawmaker Carlos Guillermo Smith pushed back on Patronis’ arguments on social media, mocking the chief financial officer’s position.

“The elected ‘CFO’ of the Sunshine State is now openly opposing to solar energy (while making absolutely no sense),” Smith said. “I w$nder why he w$uld want t$ keep Fl$rida dependent $n f$ssil fuels. What’s his m$tive?”

One instance of solar coming in handy during natural disasters is Babcock Ranch, a solar powered planned community in southwestern Florida.

One report detailed how the community purportedly never lost power, or at least had minimal issues, even during the extremely destructive Hurricane Ian that destroyed several parts of southwestern Florida in 2022. The community is located slightly north of Fort Myers.

[DJ_Critterus]

My parents looked into adding solar to their house, but when all was said and done, they would barely break even on the cost with the amount of electricity they generated and didn't pay for. where they would've lost money was on the increased home owners insurance premium. Not worth it unless doing a new build.

[jw38]

I...briefly...looked into solar, but quickly learned that it would cost me more to have them installed than if I just kept paying the electric cooperative. Solar is a scam.

[Big bob]

Just not a viable option at this time.

[Tikiman]

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[Bill]

I've looked into it occasionally as well. There are just too many uncertainties, the least of which is our deregulated electric market. You guys just pay FPL, easy. Most Texans choose their own power provider, although the "wires companies" that deliver the power are still regulated.

So, what's the interconnectivity and buyback agreement to sell power to the grid? What will that be next year? 5 years from now? 20 years from now?

Add on the unknown repair costs, which will be on you when your solar installer goes bankrupt. Add in the extra insurance costs, and the cost of a battery backup, if you actually want benefits during extended power outages, assuming your panels weren't damaged during a hurricane, and you have a lot of uncertainty.

[DDSLT5]

Too damn pricey, & the cells don’t last. Efficiency drops off like a stone fairly quickly. You’d think this could be addressed but apparently not easily.

[LATB]

Anyone who puts that crap on their roof is an idiot.

[SurfnSun]

I looked at it as well…no ROI.

[Onebadcad]

Yep, I have stated in other threads that adding panels will increase weight on roof structure, and many insurers will not offer coverage.

And, not sure if anyone can prove the panels will not fly off in Cat 4 or 5 storm, which if they do, the owner's insurance company would have to pay the claims from others.

I see no need for this crap, especially when a socialist-driven objective.

If GOD wanted us to have solar panels, he would have attached them to roofing tiles!!

[DAB]

the harder the sales pitch, and the more complicated the financing, the worse the product.

[Bill]

Originally Posted by Onebadcad

Yep, I have stated in other threads that adding panels will increase weight on roof structure, and many insurers will not offer coverage.

And, not sure if anyone can prove the panels will not fly off in Cat 4 or 5 storm, which if they do, the owner's insurance company would have to pay the claims from others.

I see no need for this crap, especially when a socialist-driven objective.

If GOD wanted us to have solar panels, he would have attached them to roofing tiles!!

Unless there was a substandard installation, which would be hard to prove after a hurricane rips through, then the panel's owner wouldn't have any liability, just as if a live, healthy tree goes down and crushes the neighbor's car.

You and your insurer aren't responsible for acts of God. If the tree was dead, and you knew it was dead, and didn't take care of it, then it hit the neighbor's car, THEN you have liability. Same with improperly attached solar panels.

[LATB]

If the cost wasn’t prohibitive I’d consider a small solar field but never on the roof. Structure and mechanics aside, the aesthetics are horrible.

Friend of mine has a new field. Cost him 40 grand (with a 30% = $12K tax benefit) so about 28K. His electric bill is never over $25.00 a month and some months it’s negative. He believes that the break even for him is 8 years.
It’s really not about the money to him as he’s well off financially. I guess it just feels good to see those low electric bills.

[Onebadcad]

Originally Posted by Tikiman

:

A horse would be jealous of them teetheses!!

[Onebadcad]

Originally Posted by Bill

Unless there was a substandard installation, which would be hard to prove after a hurricane rips through, then the panel's owner wouldn't have any liability, just as if a live, healthy tree goes down and crushes the neighbor's car.

You and your insurer aren't responsible for acts of God. If the tree was dead, and you knew it was dead, and didn't take care of it, then it hit the neighbor's car, THEN you have liability. Same with improperly attached solar panels.

This is FLORIDA, with way more lawyers per square mile than doctors.
Trust me, some lawyer would pursue this for you.
Proof is that probably more than 20% of roof in FLORIDA that need replacing are being handled by lawyers requesting current insurer pay for it, as although no recent storm damage, over the time of ownership there were storms that contributed.
Of course most of these roofs are nearing the end of their economic life, but that does not matter to the lawyer looking for a payday.

[Bill]

Originally Posted by Onebadcad

This is FLORIDA, with way more lawyers per square mile than doctors.
Trust me, some lawyer would pursue this for you.
Proof is that probably more than 20% of roof in FLORIDA that need replacing are being handled by lawyers requesting current insurer pay for it, as although no recent storm damage, over the time of ownership there were storms that contributed.
Of course most of these roofs are nearing the end of their economic life, but that does not matter to the lawyer looking for a payday.

I get that, and won't disagree. I was referring to the "my solar panels blow off and destroy my neighbor's tomato plants because the gate was locked and I couldn't get in their back yard to pick up the mess" kind of liability claim.

Insureds fighting against their own insurers is not unheard of, even here in Texas.

[Onebadcad]

Originally Posted by Bill

I get that, and won't disagree. I was referring to the "my solar panels blow off and destroy my neighbor's tomato plants because the gate was locked and I couldn't get in their back yard to pick up the mess" kind of liability claim.

Insureds fighting against their own insurers is not unheard of, even here in Texas.

in FLORIDA, I see of no event for which a lawyer with a light case load would not pursue.
I know some idiots, not family, that have blue tarp on their roof for three years, they are now on their third lawyer, they should call it day and pay for their own roof.

Back to your scenario, if a neighbor's flying solar panel crushes my roof, I will ask their insurance company to pay for it, if they refuse I would pay for the repair, AND then lawyer up, as I am not paying for your stupidity.

[Tikiman]

I think that people with EVs should only charge their vehicles using solar. Otherwise, they are just living a lie.

[Onebadcad]

Originally Posted by Tikiman

I think that people with EVs should only charge their vehicles using solar. Otherwise, they are just living a lie.

Very most EXCELLENT point, and they should also pay for all charging stations, and pay 30X registration fees due to not paying gas taxes while driving 2X weighted vehicle on our roads.
And if they drive a cybertruck, a $50,000 fine for buying something so hideous, as they are casuing permanent retina damage to all others!!

[mrvette]

I pretty sure I have posted about them, but some long term friends that moved to WAY western Va. just south of W. Va. on a steep Appalachian related hillside they put in a VERY large set of panels to feed power to their 500k bux house......needless to say with that some 20 acres that a/c electric bill was like 900/month....near 5 years ago......

some 60 grand later they loaded that south facing cleared out hillside with panels, and cut that bill to 100 a month today it's up there again but nowhere near what it was only 2-300/month now....

so to say it's a monster size house is an understatement.....