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Solar panels – are they worth it?
How much can you really save?
Updated 28 November 2024
There are now 1.5 million solar panels on homes across the UK. As well as saving you money on energy bills, solar panels can earn you cash. And don't worry, they can still generate electricity on gloomy days, vital when the weather's as dull as dishwater. But they cost an average of £7,000, so you need to understand how to work out if the sums add up.
1-min read: Solar panels – key need-to-knows and how to buy
Whether you're looking to save on electricity bills, generate your own energy, reduce your carbon footprint, or all of the above, there's a lot to consider when getting solar panels installed. Here, we've a brief summary and quick links to get you started. Or read the full guide below for detailed info.
- Solar panels could help you save £100s a year on your electricity bills. Using the energy you generate can mean big savings for some households.
- You can get paid to export electricity you generate but don't use through the smart export guarantee (SEG). An average home could earn up to £320/year.
- Hefty upfront costs means it could take 13 years to break even. Try the Energy Saving Trust's calculator to get an estimate of how long it'll take to recoup costs.
- Ready to buy? Find MCS certified installers and get quotes. Make sure to find a reputable, MCS certified installer and aim to get at least three quotes. There's a handy tool from the Federation of Master Builders to help put you in contact with nationwide installers it has vetted, or you can find your own.
This guide doesn't constitute legal advice tailored to your individual circumstances. If you act on it, you do so at your own risk. Thanks to trade association Solar Energy UK, and solar specialists GB Solar and The Eco Experts, for their feedback on this guide.
How do solar panels work?
Put simply, solar panels turn the sun's energy into usable electricity. Solar panels – also known as photovoltaics (PV) – contain electrons, which start moving when hit with direct sunlight. The moving electrons create an electric current, kind of like a stream of energy, which is then channelled and turned into usable electricity.
The electricity is then sent out of the solar panel through wires, ready to power your gadgets, lights or even your electric vehicle, or it can be sent back to the grid, with suppliers paying you for that energy.
Solar panel jargon explained
If you're looking to get solar panels, you'll likely come across lots of unfamiliar terms. To help, we've explained some of the key terms you might hear...
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Thinking of getting solar panels? Here's what you need to know
Whether you're looking to save on electricity bills, generate your own energy, reduce your carbon footprint, or all of the above, there's a lot to consider when getting solar panels installed. Here are the main points that you need to know.
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The solar panel maths is getting better
As the price of energy has rocketed, generating solar energy and using it yourself can mean big savings. Under the smart export guarantee (SEG) scheme, which launched in January 2020, households in Great Britain get paid for solar energy they 'export'. This is electricity you generate, but don't use yourself, which is then pumped back into the national energy grid. The prior feed-in tariff scheme (which closed to new applications in March 2019) was far more generous, as you got paid for generating solar energy, even if you used it yourself.
However, if you've got savings you can use to pay for the panels, it's worth doing the numbers for yourself as the SEG scheme can work out well for some (we've full analysis of how much you're likely to save, and how much you're likely to get paid, below).
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The biggest gain comes from using what you generate – you could save up to £340 a year on your bills
First and foremost, you can use the electricity your panels generate, and so reduce your bills. Savings depend on system size, electricity use, whether you're at home during the day to use the energy you're producing and other factors.
But based on Energy Saving Trust estimates, a typical household with a 3.5 kilowatt-peak system can knock between £140 and £340 a year off bills at current Energy Price Cap rates.
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You could get paid up to £400 a year for any excess energy you generate, but SEG tariffs differ widely (though you're free to switch between 'em)
The smart export guarantee (SEG) scheme works by requiring energy suppliers with 150,000+ customers to offer 'tariffs' to households in England, Scotland and Wales, which pay a set rate for each kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity you generate from solar panels, but DON'T use yourself.
Crucially, the amount you get back depends on the company and ranges from just 1p per kWh to 40p per kWh (Octopus Outgoing Agile can pay more than this, but the rates fluctuate every half an hour) – so make sure you go for the best paying tariff you can.
You don't have to go with the same firm that supplies your energy (use our Cheap Energy Club to do a comparison), but some offer a better rate if you are a customer already. And keep an eye on the rate you're getting as many are variable (so could change at anytime).
The Energy Saving Trust estimates a typical household based roughly in the middle of the country could make between £270 and £400 a year based on a rate of 15p per kWh (though of course, the better the rate, the more you'll make).
If you had solar panels installed before 31 March 2019, it's likely you'll be on a feed-in tariff (FIT). If so, you might already be getting paid more than what's below, but if you're currently on a variable SEG tariff, you're free to switch to another provider that'll pay you more.
What you get paid under the Smart Export Guarantee by supplier
Supplier Tariff name Tariff rate (p/kWh) Payment frequency Must be an electricity supply customer? BENCHMARK: You pay about 24.5p/kWh for electricity under the Price Cap.
Octopus
VariableOutgoing Agile Varies (1) Monthly Yes Good Energy
Fixed for 12 monthsSolar Savings Exclusive 40p 3 months Yes, plus solar panels and battery installed by Good Energy E.on Next
Fixed for 24 monthsNext Export Premium v2 21p 12 months (2) Yes, plus solar panels and battery installed by E.on Next since 1 October 2024 Ovo Energy
VariableSolar & Battery Install SEG 20p 3 months Yes, plus solar panels and battery installed by Ovo So Energy
Fixed for 12 monthsSo Bright 20p Monthly Yes, plus solar panels and battery installed by E.on Next since 1 September 2023 E.on Next
Fixed for 12 monthsNext Export Exclusive 16.5p 12 months Yes (or had solar panels and battery installed by E.on Next) British Gas
VariableExport and Earn Plus 15.1p 3 months Yes Octopus
FixedOutgoing Fixed 15p Monthly Yes Good Energy
VariableSolar Savings 15p 3 months Yes Ovo Energy
VariableSolar Install SEG 15p 3 months Yes, pus solar panels installed by Ovo Scottish Power
VariableSmartGen+ 15p 3 months Yes Scottish Power
VariableSmartGen 12p 3 months No EDF
VariableExport Variable Value 5.6p 3 months Yes Utility Warehouse
VariableUW Smart Export Guarantee – Bundle 5.6p (3) 3 months Yes Pozitive Energy
VariableSEG tariff 5.0p 6 months No So Energy
VariableSo Export Flex 4.5p Monthly No Octopus
FixedOctopus SEG Tariff 4.1p Monthly No Ovo Energy
Fixed for 12 monthsOvo SEG Tariff 4.0p 3 months No British Gas
VariableExport and Earn Flex 3.02p 3 months No E.on Next
Fixed for 12 monthsNext Export 3.0p 12 months No EDF
VariableExport Variable 3.0p 3 months No Utilita
FixedUtilita Smart Export Guarantee 3.0p 3 months No Utility Warehouse
VariableUW Smart Export Guarantee – Standard 2.0p 3 months No E
FixedSEG Tariff 1.0p 12 months
No Correct as of November 2024. You should get one month's notice before a variable tariff changes. (1) The rate you get changes every half hour in line with wholesale energy prices. (2) Can request more frequently, maximum of four payments a year. (3) You must have two or more services with Utility Warehouse to get this rate.
Octopus Energy has two tariffs that can beat most of the rates above – but they're complex and you need to have a solar battery
Octopus has two tariffs for existing customers with solar panels – Octopus Flux and Intelligent Octopus Flux. They're both import and export tariffs, meaning you'll pay for any electricity you use above the amount you generate yourself, and it'll pay you for any power you send back to the grid. To get 'em, you'll also need a working smart meter and battery (and a particular kind of battery with Intelligent Octopus Flux).
Important things to understand about the smart export guarantee
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The break-even point is about 13 years
The price of a typical 3.5 kilowatt-peak PV solar panel system is about £7,000. Based on the Energy Saving Trust's figures, it could take someone living in the middle of the country, in a typical home, anywhere between 11 and 14 years to recoup the costs of installing panels, based on current Energy Price Cap rates. This depends on how much electricity you use and when you use it, and what you're paid under the smart export guarantee.
How much do solar panels cost in the UK?
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Energy Saving Trust's solar panel calculator
Plug your details into the Energy Saving Trust's solar panel calculator for a decent estimate of how long it'll take to break even
Note: It is an estimate. The cost of energy can change, as can what you're paid for selling it back to the grid. This calculator is based on the current Energy Price Cap rate of 24.5p/kWh and a smart export guarantee rate of 15p/kWh.
For a rough estimate of how long it'll take to break even, if you lived roughly in the middle of the country, see our table below. Electricity bill savings are based on the October 2024 Price Cap.
How long it will take to break even
TABLE_CELL_STYLE If typical bills fall by 20% (1)
Savings based on the Price Cap from 1 October 2024 If typical bills rise by 20% (1) Bill savings plus Smart export guarantee payment (2) Average: £527
(£512 to £542)Average: £575
(£540 to £610)Average: £623
(£568 to £678)Cost of system (3) £7,000 £7,000 £7,000 Years to break even 14
(13 to 14)13
(12 to 13)12
(11 to 13)Correct as of October 2024. Source: Energy Saving Trust. (1) Electricity bill savings are based on the 1 October Energy Price Cap, in place until 31 December 2024. (2) Savings vary depending on how often you're home, how much electricity you're using and when (we've given the range in brackets above). SEG payments based on a rate of 15p per kilowatt hour. (3) Based on a 3.5 kilowatt-peak system. Many factors affect how much you'll save – such as where you live
A combination of factors will determine how quickly you'll recoup your outlay:
How much you'll make depends on where you live. If you live somewhere in the middle of the country, you could save, on average, £240 a year on your electricity bill (not including any SEG payments you might receive), according to the Energy Saving Trust. If you live further south, in London for example, the bill savings would be about 6% higher, while savings in Scotland would be about 2% lower.
It's all about daylight, not hours of sunshine or temperature. Northern homes get slightly less, so where you live needs to be factored in.
If you're at home all day, it would take you less time to make your money back. You'll recoup the installation costs in about 12 years on average, if you live in the middle of the country. If you're only home during the evenings, it's about 13 years.
This is all about how much electricity you're using. If you're home all day, you're using more electricity while your panels are generating solar energy, so the bill savings will be greater, but you'll export less (as you're using more yourself). Conversely, someone at home only in the evenings could make more from the smart export guarantee (SEG) than the savings on their electricity bill.
However, this is based on the SEG being available for the next 20+ years. While there are no plans for the scheme to end anytime soon, there's also no guarantee the scheme will last this long.
For tons more top tips from solar nerds, read the MSE Forum's Make the most of solar panels thread.
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To max your savings, use most of your electricity while you're generating it
While you currently pay roughly 24.5p per kilowatt hour for electricity on a standard tariff under the October Price Cap, you'll get paid quite a bit less than this for the energy you don't use yourself and export back to the grid. So try to shift as much of your electricity use to when you are generating it as possible (in other words, in daylight hours), as unless you have a solar battery, you're unable to store it to use later.
While it means you'll be exporting less so will get paid less, overall you will be a lot better off as you won't be paying for as much pricey energy.
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Not all homes are suitable for solar panels
To maximise what your panels can make, it's best to make sure your home is right for them:
- North-facing roofs aren't a great option for solar panels. That's because they get very little direct sunlight. You'll get the maximum benefit if you have a south-facing roof, but east or west-facing roofs can also work well and will produce energy for a large portion of the day, but you might not get the maximum savings.
- Your roof should be unshaded between 10am and 4pm. While some early or late shading from other buildings or trees is OK, during the peak period for daylight you want the panels to be out of any shade.
- You need a fair bit of space. Solar panels typically take up two square metres each, so the size of your roof matters.
- Your roof needs to be in good condition. Make sure you've had an inspection carried out to ensure your roof isn't damaged, as this could affect the installation. If you have old tiles, it may be worth getting them replaced before your panels are installed.
- It's best to have a diagonal roof to catch the most rays. If you want to install panels on a flat roof it could cost more, as you may need fixings to hold the panels in place.
- You generally won't need planning permission. In England and Wales, the Government's Planning Portal says that panels are likely to be considered as 'permitted development' – meaning you don't usually need to apply for planning permission. The big exceptions are if your property is listed or is in a conservation area. In these cases, you might need to get approval from your council's building control team, so check with your local authority. Since December 2023, homes with flat roofs are also able to install panels without planning permission.
- North-facing roofs aren't a great option for solar panels. That's because they get very little direct sunlight. You'll get the maximum benefit if you have a south-facing roof, but east or west-facing roofs can also work well and will produce energy for a large portion of the day, but you might not get the maximum savings.
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If you're likely to move home in the next decade, it probably doesn't add up
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As it typically takes about 13 years to recoup your installation costs, if you're considering moving, solar panels probably aren't worth it (though see the point below on whether this could be offset by them pushing up the value of your home).
While you could physically remove the panels from your old home and install them on the new one, this could prove costly. Plus, while you could still use what you generate yourself at your new address, you'd no longer get paid for what you export. To receive payments your panels need to be certified by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme and the organisation told us it wouldn't certify panels that have been moved.
It's also worth noting solar panel installations are tailored to each home – to fit the roof and be positioned to maximise the level of sunlight they receive – so it's likely they wouldn't perform as well if you installed them on a different home anyway.
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Don't assume you'll always recoup the cost of solar panels on your home's value if you sell your house early
Some people assume that a more efficient home generating its own energy would be more attractive to buyers. But others worry that 'ugly' panels plastered all over their roof could push the price of their house down.
Solar panels are a hefty investment and might not be suited to those planning to move in the next few years – certainly you shouldn't expect a big upfront investment to be immediately reflected by a jump in your home's value.
Do solar panels increase home value?
Trade body Solar Energy UK recently published a report which found homeowners who move having had panels installed would claw back some of the value of their investment in a higher sale price. It looked at more than five million property transactions and said a typical home with solar panels could increase in price by up to 2%. And according to The Eco Experts, solar panels could increase a property's value by as much as 14%, on average.
When we asked NAEA Propertymark (the National Association of Estate Agents) for an overview, it was more cagey. It said: "Having such sustainable technologies will become more attractive for homeowners in the future. There are benefits to having solar panels – however, in the short term, they don't provide an increase in house value, with the panels often costing more than they attribute in value. With houses coming on to the market in short supply and other factors, people are being forced to compromise on their preferences, including energy saving measures."
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You can still switch energy supplier
If you have solar panels, don't think this locks you in to your energy provider – you can still switch your supplier, and there are now several options open to new customers that are worth considering. You can see what's available in our Should you fix? guide or do a bespoke comparison against the Price Cap in our Cheap Energy Club tool.
Your energy provider doesn't need to be the same as the supplier that pays you for your solar-generated energy, so you're free to switch. Though with some providers, such as British Gas, EDF Energy and Octopus, you can get better export rates if it also supplies your energy.
Also, with a modern SMETS 2 smart meter, two firms can use the same device, so you don't need to get a new smart meter.
It's just as simple to switch your supplier for the export tariff, and as rates vary wildly between firms, make sure you're always getting the best rate possible – see what each firm pays.
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If you decide solar panels are right for you, find a registered installer and get three quotes
It's important you find a reputable, certified installer and get at least three quotes. As we're MoneySavers, not solar experts, picking solar panel installers isn't our speciality. But a good place to start is the Federation of Master Builders tool below (the FMB is a trade association for the construction industry). It works with selected solar panel installers, which have nationwide coverage, are certified, and are subject to certain customer service and financial security checks.
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Federation of Master Builders quote tool
Just answer five questions about your property and then input some personal details, including your address and phone number. You'll then be shown three companies that best suit your needs, who will contact you directly to arrange a quote.
You could get up to £500 off solar panels via this link
Three of the solar panel installers on the comparison panel are offering discounts when you get quotes via our link. You'll get a regular quote, with the discount then taken off (£4,995 minimum spend) – but do still compare quotes with different installers to ensure you're getting the best price for you.
Glow Green: £500 off premium Perlight panels, £300 off its standard DMEGC panels.
Solar4Good: £500 off all panels.Note: These aren't necessarily the cheapest or best performing providers, and while they have been vetted by the Federation of Master Builders (and all have strong scores on Trustpilot), always do your own research before agreeing to any work (and do let us know how you get on).
Ensure your quote covers everything required
Always get your quotes in writing, so there is no misunderstanding. Some solar panel installers may give an estimated quote over the phone or online, but as solar panel installation is bespoke to each home, they'll often need more details about your property, your energy use and your budget before they can give you a firm cost. Some firms, such as Glow Green and Heatable, will give you a quote over the phone, and then visit your home to carry out a technical surveyor. But generally, firms won't offer a quote until they've visited your property.
When comparing quotes, check the following are included: scaffolding, removal of the existing roof and other roofing works, internal wiring works, sorting out a connection agreement with the energy supplier, electrical connection work, and a generation meter. Fitting the panels themselves is a one or two-day job.
Your solar panel system and installer should be MCS certified
The solar panel system and installer you choose should meet the standards of the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS). And make sure the installer is a member of the Renewable Energy Consumer Code or the Home Insulation and Energy Systems Quality Assured Contractors Scheme (HIES).
Once your solar panel system is fitted, you'll need the MCS certificate to register for smart export guarantee payments with a licensed energy supplier.
Never borrow from solar companies to pay for the panels
Some installers let you buy solar panels on credit. If you don't have the cash upfront, panels aren't for you. The loan's interest could dwarf the savings.
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A solar battery could add years to your break even point
![2057515346]( "2057515346")
A solar battery can store any excess power generated by your solar panels that you don't use at the time, rather than exporting it back to the grid. They can cost as little as £1,000 for a three kilowatt-hour battery. The Eco Experts estimate the average price to be around £4,500.
The price you're paid for each unit of energy you export to the grid is usually much lower than the price you pay your supplier for electricity. So, economically, it makes more sense to store the solar energy and use it yourself.
The battery isn't all about what you generate yourself, either. If you're on a flexible 'time-of-use' energy tariff, with cheaper electricity overnight for example, you can charge the battery at cheaper times from the grid and use it to power your house during more expensive hours. See our Economy 7 and Electric vehicle tariff guides for more on how 'time of use' tariffs work.
But for most, the initial outlay won't be recouped quickly enough. The extra cost can add years to the break-even point – Solar Energy UK says it could typically add anything from an extra five to 13 years, depending on the size of the battery and system.
If your primary motivation for getting a solar battery is to save money, though, it may not be worth it until the price of solar batteries comes down (which it should, as the technology evolves and improves), or if the price of electricity rises steeply. For full info on solar batteries, see our Is solar battery storage worth it? guide.
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There's funding available for some households for solar panels
There's help available to get solar panels installed in your home, but you usually need to be on certain benefits or have a low income to be eligible. What each scheme offers, and its eligibility criteria varies:
- The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme. If you live in England or Wales, under the ECO scheme you can get up to £14,000 towards energy-saving initiatives if your home qualifies, including solar panel systems. To qualify, you'll need to meet specific criteria, including having a household income of less than £31,000 a year or be receiving certain benefits, plus your home must have electric heating.
- Home Upgrade Grant. 45 local authorities in England are offering grants of up to £10,000 to homeowners in their area for improvements, including solar panels. Typically, a local authority will cover the majority (and in many cases, all) of the cost to install. To qualify, you must be off the main gas-grid (so don't use a gas boiler), must have total household income of less than £31,000 a year and your property must have an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of D, E, F or G.
- Warmer Home Nest Scheme Wales. The Welsh Government initiative offers free energy-saving home improvements, including solar panels. You may be eligible if you own or privately rent a home that's expensive to heat, and you or someone you live with receives a means-tested benefit OR has a chronic respiratory, circulatory or mental health condition. You can check full eligibility details on the Nest Scheme website.
There are no grants available for solar panels if you live in Northern Ireland or Scotland.
- The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme. If you live in England or Wales, under the ECO scheme you can get up to £14,000 towards energy-saving initiatives if your home qualifies, including solar panel systems. To qualify, you'll need to meet specific criteria, including having a household income of less than £31,000 a year or be receiving certain benefits, plus your home must have electric heating.
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You can spread solar panel costs with a subscription
If you can't afford to pay for panels upfront, there are a small number of firms offering solar panels on subscription. Before you consider this, you need to be aware of how these services may affect your mortgage, and what happens when it comes to selling your home.
Generally speaking, these subscription services won't affect your ability to get a mortgage, but lenders will take them into account when working out your affordability to make monthly mortgage repayments. If you already have a mortgage in place, you may need to check with your lender before signing up to one of these subscription services.
Solar panel subscriptions may also restrict what you can do with your roof, such as adding skylights or installing a different type of roofing material. Plus selling a property with a long-term subscription may not always be straightforward.
There are two main types of solar panel subscription:- You OWN the solar panels. Under these schemes, you pay for solar panels over a fixed period, say 20 years. There are no upfront costs, and instead you pay a monthly fee, which usually covers the solar panel and battery installation, repairs and maintenance.
This subscription service isn't a lease or rental, meaning you'll own the panels from the outset and can benefit from smart export guarantee payments for any electricity your solar panels generate that you don't use.
Sunsave Plus is an example of such a scheme (though we have no feedback on it). If you decide to move home, it says you're able to pay off the balance early with no early repayment fees or penalties – but this could still be a large sum depending on your installation costs and how much you've left to pay. Alternatively, the new property owner can agree to take over the contract.
- You RENT the solar panels for a fixed period by signing a roof lease agreement. If you rent or lease solar panels from a third party, you'll be required to sign a roof lease so that ownership of the solar panels doesn't pass to you once they're installed. This is because in English property law, unless a roof lease is in place, ownership of the panels would automatically pass to the property owner once installed.
Tomatopia from Tomato Energy is one such scheme (though again we have no feedback on its service). Here, Tomato Energy will install solar panels and/or a battery for free, but you pay a fixed monthly price (based on your annual energy consumption) for 10 years to cover the cost of installation and your electricity use. If you move home within the 10 years, the new owner can take on the contract at the same price, otherwise you'll need to pay for the remainder of the contract. You're also locked in with Tomato Energy as your electricity provider for the 10-year period, meaning you won't be able to switch away during this time, unless you pay off the balance. You'll be able to switch gas supplier though, if you have a gas supply.
After 10 years, you'll own the solar panel system and you're free to switch to a different electricity provider at that point, if you wish. The scheme is currently only available in certain areas in England – you can check these on its website – but the firm has told us it's expanding rapidly.
- You OWN the solar panels. Under these schemes, you pay for solar panels over a fixed period, say 20 years. There are no upfront costs, and instead you pay a monthly fee, which usually covers the solar panel and battery installation, repairs and maintenance.
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If you had solar panels installed before March 2019 and get the feed-in tariff, nothing changes
If you already have solar panels and get the feed-in tariff, the fact the feed-in tariff is now a closed scheme won't affect you. Depending on when your panels were installed and certified, you're guaranteed to get the payments for at least 20 years:
- 25 years if installed and certified before 31 August 2012.
- 20 years if installed and certified between 1 September 2012 and 31 March 2019.
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How long do solar panels last?
Solar panels have a life span of around 25 years or more, but this can vary depending on what they're made from and when they were installed. According to experts, some of the latest models of solar panels that are being installed today could have a useful life of 40 years or more. Either way, their efficiency will begin to slowly decline after around 20 to 25 years.
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You can combine solar panels with a heat pump
If you're eager to reduce your carbon footprint further, you can use your solar panels to power a heat pump - a low carbon alternative to a gas or oil boiler, used to heat your home and hot water. Right now, you could get £7,500 towards the cost of installing one.
An average home in the UK would need an air-source heat pump that requires roughly 4,000kWh of electricity a year to power it - which you can get with a 5.6kW solar panel system. But this will leave little extra energy to power the rest of your home, so you'd still be reliant on the grid to some extent. Plus, in winter, when the days are shorter and there's less direct sunlight, it’s unlikely your solar panels would even be able to fully power your heat pump.
However, if you add a solar storage battery to your heat pump and solar panel system, you'll be able to store some or all of the energy your solar panels have generated during the day, to power your heat pump at night.
Plus, you can save hundreds of pounds a year if you opt for a dedicated heat pump tariff, or other specialist smart tariff, which often give you cheaper rates for powering your heat pump, or for electricity use at certain times of day.
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How to maintain your solar panels
Solar panels are designed to be low maintenance and we get enough rain in the UK to keep them working efficiently without the need for regular cleaning. It's a good idea to keep any nearby trees well-trimmed, to avoid shading your solar panels.
Your installer should leave you with troubleshooting guides and maintenance guidelines. But the Energy Saving Trust says little maintenance is required on a properly installed, well-designed solar PV system, though you'll likely need to replace the inverter – a gadget that is a key part of the mechanism – within about 10 years (costing around £800).
Of course, things can go wrong. If so, check the installer warranty you get – it can cover you for up to 20 years. If the panels are damaged by something unexpected, such as a storm, you may also be covered by buildings insurance – check with your insurer before you have them installed.
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