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by ozlikethewizard 156 days ago
Surely it only needs to be signed off if you intend to sell the property with them or sell excess back to the grid. If youre just using the batteries how is anyone going to know?
3 comments

I'd assume your fire insurance covers nothing if illegally installed batteries are found inside after a house fire.
If your house burns down for any reason, not necessarily the DYI batteries, the insurance company will know anyway.
If the DIY work wasn't the cause for the fire it shouldn't matter, but I half-expect someone to inform me that US insurance companies can (legally) deny coverage for reasons unrelated to the accident.
Not so fast. Have you very carefully read the full small print of the insurance policy? Did you review that with a lawyer? Is incredible how different "normal" people vs. lawyers can understand a contract.

I'm pretty sure there is a clause, which states that you have to inform if you have and/or are not allowed to have fire loads, or anything that could cause a fire, or make it worse, or something along the lines in legalese. These formulations are always there because of people hoarding fuel in the basement, for example, or O2 Tank, or whatever. They are formulated in the most generic way possible to catch anything you do "wrong". Failing to follow such clauses, also when not explicitly stated, is dropping your obligations in the contract. And then there will be a clause that of course says, that not following the contract from your side, also exempts the company of paying.

Note also there are clauses that are very softly specified, like "use rooms for the intended purpose" which may be a problem if you store idk, paint in the garage, which may be flammable, in which case a fire in the garage will not be (at least fully) covered.

Ask me how I know...

How are you going to absolutely price that the batteries didn't start the fire or even just make the fire worse?

You can't and you will lose in court.

I wouldn't have to, where I'm from the burden of proof is on the insurance company.
shrug if you can rely on nobody noticing, or non-enforcement, sure, but it is actually a criminal offence not just an administrative requirement.
If is something does happen, and Li Batteries catching fire is not something unheard of, you will be in a world of suffering. Probably having no home, and having to pay damages to the neighbors. All to save what? 2k$... 5k$?