I am with Tesco Insurance and when I rang to check that they covered a Heat pump they said they do. I went on to tell them my install dates which were noted and just before the install they refunded me £28! No explanation as to why but I'm happy.

@jancold To take the heat out of the situation? (Sorry!) Toodles.

WHY YOU MUST NOTIFY YOUR BUILDING INSURER

I'm posting this triggered by a group member's Comment question, from another forum, in view of it being a crucial and often overlooked part of the installation process

As the UK accelerates its shift towards cleaner energy, air source heat pumps (ASHPs) are becoming increasingly popular as an efficient, low-carbon alternative to traditional gas boilers. But if you’ve recently installed one—or plan to—you may be unaware of a key obligation: informing your building insurer.

Why Notification Is Essential

Your building insurance is based on an understanding of the risks and rebuild costs associated with your property as it stands. Installing an air source heat pump represents a material change to the property, and insurers expect to be kept informed. Failing to notify your insurer could potentially invalidate your policy or lead to complications in the event of a claim.

Moreover, ASHPs involve outdoor units fixed to the exterior of your home, which changes the risk profile in several ways—particularly in relation to damage, theft, and weather exposure.

Will an ASHP Be Covered Under Standard Buildings Insurance?

Increasingly, mainstream UK building insurance policies cover “standard perils,” which typically include (BUT CHECK):

• Fire, lightning, explosion

• Storm and flood

• Theft and attempted theft

• Vandalism or malicious damage

• Escape of water (e.g. burst pipes)

• Subsidence

• Impact by vehicles or falling trees

In general, once you notify your insurer, an air source heat pump should be covered under your policy for these perils—though not all policies handle ASHPs in the same way.

Some insurers may automatically include the pump under buildings insurance as it is a fixed, permanent installation. Others may treat it as an “add-on” or even require specific wording to be added to the schedule. It’s best to seek written confirmation that the ASHP is fully covered.

Theft and Vandalism: A Grey Area?

ASHPs are expensive with the Outdoor Units installed outside—making them an attractive target for theft or vandalism. This introduces a new risk that wasn’t present before, and coverage here can be less clear-cut.

While many insurers will cover theft or malicious damage to fixed outdoor fixtures, some may exclude or limit this for items deemed particularly vulnerable. They may specify the installation of anti-theft cages or motion-detection lighting/cameras to meet policy conditions.

Always check:

• Whether theft of an external ASHP unit is explicitly covered

• Any security requirements imposed

• Whether there is a separate excess or lower limit of indemnity

Repairs and Breakdowns: Where Things Get Complicated

A standard buildings policy typically does NOT cover mechanical or electrical breakdown of appliances. If your ASHP stops working due to a component fault or general wear and tear, this would usually be excluded. To bridge that gap, you might consider:

• A home emergency policy that includes heat pump failure

• A manufacturer warranty or extended cover

• Specialist renewable technology insurance

Some insurers are starting to offer products specifically for green tech (including solar panels and heat pumps), but this is still a niche area with limited providers.

Installation and Certification: Insurance Implications

Insurers may ask for evidence that the ASHP has been installed by an MCS-accredited installer to ensure the system meets regulatory and safety benchmarks including evidence the system met Part L, G and P of the building regulations, with the appropriate certification for electrical and the all important Building Regulations Compliance Certificate. Poor or unregulated installation could not only void warranties but might also lead to rejection of future claims related to damage or faults.

Also, if your heat pump installation significantly increases the rebuild value of your home (for example, due to extensive retrofitting), this may warrant a review of your overall buildings sum insured.

Key Takeaways

• Always notify your insurer after installing an air source heat pump; failure to do so could affect claims.

• Most standard perils are likely to be covered, but theft or malicious damage to outdoor units may have conditions or exclusions.

• Breakdowns are generally not covered by standard policies—consider supplementary cover or warranties.

• Ensure professional, certified installation to protect both your warranty and insurance eligibility.

As air source heat pumps become more widespread, insurers are gradually adapting—but for now, proactive communication and clear documentation are essential to stay protected.

https://sfearnplumbing.co.uk/which-insurance-providers-provide-home-emergency-cover-or-breakdown-cover-for-heat-pumps/

Posted by: @kevinpotts

↑

But if you’ve recently installed one—or plan to—you may be unaware of a key obligation: informing your building insurer

But would you need to let your insurance know you had just installed an external oil boiler - no, why a different rule for a heat pump?

Posted by: @kevinpotts

↑

WHY YOU MUST NOTIFY YOUR BUILDING INSURER

I'm posting this triggered by a group member's Comment question, from another forum, in view of it being a crucial and often overlooked part of the installation process

As the UK accelerates its shift towards cleaner energy, air source heat pumps (ASHPs) are becoming increasingly popular as an efficient, low-carbon alternative to traditional gas boilers. But if you’ve recently installed one—or plan to—you may be unaware of a key obligation: informing your building insurer.

Why Notification Is Essential

Your building insurance is based on an understanding of the risks and rebuild costs associated with your property as it stands. Installing an air source heat pump represents a material change to the property, and insurers expect to be kept informed. Failing to notify your insurer could potentially invalidate your policy or lead to complications in the event of a claim.

Moreover, ASHPs involve outdoor units fixed to the exterior of your home, which changes the risk profile in several ways—particularly in relation to damage, theft, and weather exposure.

Will an ASHP Be Covered Under Standard Buildings Insurance?

Increasingly, mainstream UK building insurance policies cover “standard perils,” which typically include (BUT CHECK):

• Fire, lightning, explosion

• Storm and flood

• Theft and attempted theft

• Vandalism or malicious damage

• Escape of water (e.g. burst pipes)

• Subsidence

• Impact by vehicles or falling trees

In general, once you notify your insurer, an air source heat pump should be covered under your policy for these perils—though not all policies handle ASHPs in the same way.

Some insurers may automatically include the pump under buildings insurance as it is a fixed, permanent installation. Others may treat it as an “add-on” or even require specific wording to be added to the schedule. It’s best to seek written confirmation that the ASHP is fully covered.

Theft and Vandalism: A Grey Area?

ASHPs are expensive with the Outdoor Units installed outside—making them an attractive target for theft or vandalism. This introduces a new risk that wasn’t present before, and coverage here can be less clear-cut.

While many insurers will cover theft or malicious damage to fixed outdoor fixtures, some may exclude or limit this for items deemed particularly vulnerable. They may specify the installation of anti-theft cages or motion-detection lighting/cameras to meet policy conditions.

Always check:

• Whether theft of an external ASHP unit is explicitly covered

• Any security requirements imposed

• Whether there is a separate excess or lower limit of indemnity

Repairs and Breakdowns: Where Things Get Complicated

A standard buildings policy typically does NOT cover mechanical or electrical breakdown of appliances. If your ASHP stops working due to a component fault or general wear and tear, this would usually be excluded. To bridge that gap, you might consider:

• A home emergency policy that includes heat pump failure

• A manufacturer warranty or extended cover

• Specialist renewable technology insurance

Some insurers are starting to offer products specifically for green tech (including solar panels and heat pumps), but this is still a niche area with limited providers.

Installation and Certification: Insurance Implications

Insurers may ask for evidence that the ASHP has been installed by an MCS-accredited installer to ensure the system meets regulatory and safety benchmarks including evidence the system met Part L, G and P of the building regulations, with the appropriate certification for electrical and the all important Building Regulations Compliance Certificate. Poor or unregulated installation could not only void warranties but might also lead to rejection of future claims related to damage or faults.

Also, if your heat pump installation significantly increases the rebuild value of your home (for example, due to extensive retrofitting), this may warrant a review of your overall buildings sum insured.

Key Takeaways

• Always notify your insurer after installing an air source heat pump; failure to do so could affect claims.

• Most standard perils are likely to be covered, but theft or malicious damage to outdoor units may have conditions or exclusions.

• Breakdowns are generally not covered by standard policies—consider supplementary cover or warranties.

• Ensure professional, certified installation to protect both your warranty and insurance eligibility.

As air source heat pumps become more widespread, insurers are gradually adapting—but for now, proactive communication and clear documentation are essential to stay protected.

https://sfearnplumbing.co.uk/which-insurance-providers-provide-home-emergency-cover-or-breakdown-cover-for-heat-pumps/

Sorry this whole cut and paste just sounds like a sales pitch!

@johnmo any substantive work on your home, it’s worth informing them and confirming with an email. I have dealt with numerous claims over many years, where the more unethical insurers will use any opportunity to repudiate a claim.

@johnmo sorry it comes across like that. The post is authored by me and I have nothing to do with the linked service provider, but I do think they have some useful insight. I’m just a heat pump owner who contributes extensively on a Facebook group for owners of my hp brand and I come from an industry before I retired where legal issues were my bag.

Posted by: @johnmo

↑

Posted by: @kevinpotts

↑

But if you’ve recently installed one—or plan to—you may be unaware of a key obligation: informing your building insurer

But would you need to let your insurance know you had just installed an external oil boiler - no, why a different rule for a heat pump?

When I informed our previous insurer (policyexpert) of our install and queried whether it was insured, they said I should have notified them BEFORE any works as any plumbing work constituted notifiable building work. They advised that my insurance was no longer valid until I sent them my installers indemnity policy. 

@benson fairly typical of some insurers.

My insurer just asks the question: "Is your home heated by" and available options are "a gas boiler" and "a heat pump".  Changing to the latter incurred no additional fee and they are now informed.  TBH, adding a SiggenStore battery to the house was more difficult as they have options for solar panels but nothing for a battery.  It was added as an "Item that leaves the home and valued at more than £1500".