Insurance, Licences and Warranties: The Boring Checks That Matter
Licence, insurance and warranty checks are the three things most homeowners skip before signing an energy installation quote — and the three things that determine what happens if the work is faulty, the installer disappears, or a claim is needed years later. These checks take 15 minutes and cost nothing; skipping them can create expensive warranty, insurance and rework problems.
- Licence verification: check the licence number with your state authority before any work starts — not just when signing, and not based on the installer's verbal assurance.
- Insurance: public liability and workers' compensation should both be checked. Ask for the policy number and Certificate of Currency, not just "yes we're insured."
- Product warranty: confirm it is manufacturer-backed, the Australian contact exists, and how to make a claim — not just the headline years figure.
- Workmanship warranty: get it in writing — duration, what's covered, what's excluded, and how to make a claim. Verbal workmanship warranties are unenforceable.
Licence checks: what to verify and where
Australian electrical work, solar installation, and battery installation all require specific licences. The correct licence depends on the type of work:
| Work type | Required credential | Where to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical wiring (switchboard, circuit, EV charger) | State electrical contractor licence | Service NSW / VBA (VIC) / QBCC (QLD) / Consumer and Business Services (SA) |
| Grid-connected solar installation | Current SAA solar accreditation plus state electrical licence | Solar Accreditation Australia register plus state licensing authority |
| Battery storage installation | Current SAA accreditation/endorsement where relevant plus state electrical licence | Solar Accreditation Australia register plus state licensing authority |
| Roofing work (if separate) | State builder's licence (class varies) | State building authority |
How to verify: ask for the licence number in writing. Go to the relevant authority website and search the licence register. Check that the licence is current, not expired, and covers the category of work being performed. This takes under 5 minutes.
Do not rely on: a copy of a certificate (may be outdated), a badge on a vehicle (decorative), or a reference to old CEC wording or membership. Legacy CEC language is not proof of current SAA accreditation.
Insurance: what to ask for (not just ask about)
An installer saying "we're fully insured" tells you nothing. The two policies you need to confirm:
1. Public liability insurance
- What it covers: property damage or personal injury caused by the installer's work
- Cover level: confirm the dollar amount, policy scope and expiry date on the Certificate of Currency. Larger installers may carry higher cover, but do not rely on a verbal assurance.
- What to ask for: the insurer's name, policy number, and expiry date. A current Certificate of Currency can be provided in minutes — if the installer cannot provide one, that is a red flag.
2. Workers' compensation insurance
- What it covers: any subcontractor or employee injured on your property during the job
- Why it matters to you: if a worker is injured and the installer does not have workers' compensation, a claim may flow to your property owner's insurance
- What to ask for: confirmation of coverage for all workers on site, including subcontractors
Note on home insurance: check with your home insurer whether the battery or solar system affects your policy and what documentation they require. Some insurers want the Certificate of Compliance or similar post-installation document.
Warranties: what the paperwork should say
Product warranty
A panel, inverter, or battery warranty is between you and the manufacturer — not the installer. Key questions:
- Who is the Australian warranty contact? Verify the brand has an Australian office or authorised service network. A 25-year panel warranty with a manufacturer based overseas and no Australian presence is difficult to enforce.
- What triggers a warranty claim? Degradation below a threshold (performance warranty) vs product defect (product warranty) are different claims with different processes.
- What is excluded? Storm damage, vermin, unauthorised modifications, installation errors (separate from product defects) are commonly excluded.
Workmanship warranty
The workmanship warranty is between you and the installing company. Workmanship warranty minimums and scheme requirements should be checked against the current written contract and current accreditation/code documents; do not rely on an old CEC badge or legacy wording. The written warranty should state:
- Duration (start date, end date)
- What is covered (all labour and parts used during installation)
- What is excluded (damage from third-party modifications, storm, etc.)
- How to make a claim (contact details, process)
- What happens if the company closes (check whether warranty is backed by an insurance product)
Before signing any energy installation quote: check the licence number on the state authority register; ask for a Certificate of Currency for public liability insurance; get the product warranty and workmanship warranty in writing; and verify the manufacturer has an Australian contact. These 15 minutes of checking are the best investment in an installation that costs thousands of dollars.
Read our guide on comparing installer quotes before committing to any energy installation.