Best insurance for 5 green home upgrades

Insurance choices for a green home

An energy-efficient home is the superhero of housing, providing homeowners with lower utility bills, reduced risk of fire and other benefits, all while helping to sustain the planet. Federal, state and local energy rebates often pick up part of the expense of "going green."

But before you install that solar panel array, wind turbine or solar water heater, check with your home insurance agent. After all, you don't want to make a dumb insurance move with your energy-smart home.

Insurers are bullish on green homes. Farmers, Fireman's Fund, State Farm, Travelers and others offer: premium rebates for building green; policy endorsements that pay the difference to repair a damaged home with environmentally friendly materials; or both.

Ed Charlebois, vice president of personal insurance for Travelers, says there's a good reason insurers roll out the red carpet for a green home.

"It shows that this homeowner is very into good home maintenance, and I will tell you that better-maintained homes are less risky," he says. "It's not that you have a solar water heater; it's that you care about your home and you're going to maintain it to a higher standard."

Here's a look at some insurance considerations when going green.

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Best insurance for 5 green home upgrades