Hail damage to solar systems in the Canton of GraubündenGVG: prevention and policy.

Who insures your solar system in Graubünden

In Graubünden, the Graubünden building insurance (GVG), based in Chur, is the cantonal building insurer. The information platform on protecting buildings from natural hazards lists it as the specialist unit for natural hazard prevention, which also advises on hail protection. Hail is generally counted as natural hazard damage.

Check with the GVG whether and how your system is included in the sum insured and whether a report is needed after construction. Building insurance usually does not cover loss of yield.

What to do after hail

Report the damage to your insurer and photograph the visible damage from the ground. Do not climb onto the roof: damaged modules can be live. We inspect the system on site, check modules, cables and inverter and measure the strings. We document the damage for the insurer and replace defective modules.

For handling the claim you need the module type, number, year of construction and the invoice for the system. We provide the technical findings and the quote for replacing modules. For systems at high altitude, winter access is a further factor. We then arrange the inspection after the snow has melted or when there is safe access to the roof.

Hail protection for new systems

In the mountains, snow and wind come on top of hail. For new systems, we choose modules with tested hail resistance from the Swiss hail register (Hagelregister) and look for a mounting structure that suits the altitude. The GVG unit answers questions on protection against natural hazard damage before you build. We register the system and submit subsidy applications. We put together the details of the system for your insurer so that they are complete if damage occurs later.