Insurance Claims for Boarding Up in Watford (WD1–WD25)

When something goes wrong—burglary, storm damage, a smashed shopfront—your first priority is to make the property safe. The second is often the insurance claim. We handle the securing work and provide the documentation your insurer typically needs, so you can move forward without repeating yourself to multiple people. We work across Watford and the WD area (WD1–WD25), and our team is used to liaising with policyholders, landlords and managing agents.

We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisers. Our role is to make safe and secure, then supply clear evidence of what we did and why. If you need urgent help right now, please see our emergency boarding up page or call 01923 311 082.

How We Support Insurance Claims

  • Make safe and secure: We provide emergency boarding up for windows, doors, shopfronts and roofs using 18mm exterior-grade plywood or suitable OSB, with anti-tamper fixings. Where appropriate, we can fit temporary steel doors.
  • Evidence and documentation: Time-stamped photos before, during and after, itemised invoices, and a short work statement describing the damage, risk and actions taken to secure the property.
  • Practical guidance: We’ll suggest the sequence that typically helps claims progress smoothly—report to the police if a crime occurred, notify your insurer early, and keep reference numbers handy.
  • Clear communication: If an adjuster wants detail on materials or methods, we’ll answer with specifics (e.g., panel thickness, fixings used, whether frame-preserving fix was possible).
  • Transparent limitations: If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive boarding, we’ll explain options before proceeding and note this in the statement for your file.

For a quick overview of what we do on-site, see what boarding up involves, or explore service specifics like window boarding in Watford and door boarding.

Step-by-Step: From Incident to Insurer-Ready

  1. Make it safe

    • If there’s a crime in progress or risk to life, call 999.
    • If safe, take a few photos before anything is moved.
    • Call us to secure the property—we’ll give a realistic ETA based on workload and location.

  2. Notify your insurer

    • Log the claim as early as possible. Ask what documentation they require.
    • If burglary, obtain a police reference number and keep it accessible.

  3. On-site securing

    • We assess the damage, measure openings, choose appropriate materials (often 18mm plywood for larger spans; 12mm OSB may suit smaller internal openings), and use anti-tamper fixings to prevent removal from outside.
    • Where the opening is a primary access point and the lock area is compromised, we can fit a temporary steel door to maintain access and security.

  4. Documentation pack

    • You receive time-stamped photos, an itemised invoice with materials and labour separated, and a brief work statement. On request we can note suspected cause (e.g., forced entry, storm impact) based on visible evidence.

  5. Next steps

    • We can leave boards in place until permanent glazing or door replacement is ready.
    • If you need a follow-up visit to adjust or remove temporary security, we’ll schedule it and update your paperwork accordingly.

What Insurers Typically Ask For

While every policy differs, we regularly see requests for:

  • Proof of incident
    • Police reference number (for burglaries/vandalism)
    • Photos of damage before boarding (your images help—ours supplement them)
  • Evidence of mitigation
    • A description of immediate actions to make safe and prevent further loss
    • Confirmation of materials and fixings used, and why they were appropriate
  • Costs
    • An itemised invoice showing labour, materials, and any call-out/attendance
    • If requested, separate entries for emergency works vs. follow-up adjustments

If your insurer or loss adjuster needs more detail (e.g., board thickness, fix pattern, whether we avoided drilling frames), we provide it. We’re familiar with domestic and commercial policies across Watford and the WD postcodes.

Materials and Methods We Document

  • Boards: 18mm exterior-grade plywood for doors, shopfronts and larger windows; 12mm OSB may be used for smaller internal apertures or non-exposed openings when appropriate.
  • Fixings: Anti-tamper coach screws or security fixings to prevent removal from outside.
  • Framing approach: Where possible, we use existing structure to avoid further damage. If frames are structurally compromised, we’ll explain alternatives (e.g., through-frame fixings, battening) before proceeding.
  • Temporary access: Steel security doors for damaged entrances where ongoing access is needed.
  • Weatherproofing: Edge sealing or additional protection where exposure to rain is a risk, particularly for roof and skylight boarding.

You can read more in our service pages: shopfront boarding, roof boarding, and temporary fencing when an area needs to be cordoned off.

Scenario-Specific Guidance

  • Burglary and vandalism

    • Call the police first. Don’t touch potential evidence if safe to avoid.
    • We’ll make safe after a break-in and provide photos/invoice for your claim.

  • Storm damage

    • Take clear photos of fallen debris and affected openings if safe.
    • We’ll secure storm-damaged openings and note wind exposure or impact points.

  • Fire damage

    • The fire service will usually make the scene safe to enter. We then secure openings.
    • We do not provide smoke/odour remediation. See post-fire securing.

  • Flood damage

    • Frames can swell; non-destructive fixings may not hold. We’ll discuss options first.
    • See flood damage securing.

  • Accidental impact

    • Vehicle strike or glazing failure—photograph the area from multiple angles.
    • We cover accident damage with the same evidence-led approach.

What You Receive From Us

  • Time-stamped photos: Before, during and after images suitable for claim records
  • Itemised invoice: Materials, labour and attendance listed separately
  • Work statement: A short, plain-English summary of the situation and actions taken
  • Optional insurer notes: Material specs and fixings, access constraints, and frame condition if relevant
  • Support for follow-ups: We respond to reasonable queries from your insurer or loss adjuster about our work

For general questions about our business and availability, see our FAQs and pricing guidance.

Who We Work With

  • Homeowners and tenants (domestic claims)
  • Landlords, estate agents and property managers
  • Shops, restaurants and offices needing commercial boarding up
  • Void and vacant properties where longer-term vacant property security is required

All works are carried out by DBS-checked technicians. We’re fully insured and have been trading locally for over 10 years across WD1 to WD25.

Tips To Keep Your Claim Moving

  • Gather the basics early
    • Policy number and insurer contact details
    • Police reference number (for crime-related incidents)
    • Your own photos taken before we arrive, if safe
  • Keep receipts and timelines
    • Note call times, attendance, and any conversations with the insurer
    • Keep our invoice and work statement together for upload
  • Ask your insurer about next steps
    • Do they want quotes for permanent glazing/repairs?
    • Any preferred contractors or forms to complete?

We can coordinate our documentation to match your insurer’s portal requirements where possible (file types, size limits, separate uploads for photos and invoices).

Coverage Across Watford and WD Postcodes

We cover the whole WD area, including Watford town centre and surrounding districts WD1–WD25. If you’re comparing options by location or need to demonstrate local attendance in your claim notes, explore our area pages starting with boarding up in Watford (WD1), North Watford (WD24), or Rickmansworth (WD3). You can also view all areas we cover.

Frequently Asked Questions About Insurance and Boarding Up

Will my insurer cover emergency boarding up in Watford?

Most policies cover emergency measures to secure the property and prevent further loss. Coverage depends on your policy terms and excess. We provide itemised invoices and photos commonly requested by insurers operating in Watford and the WD area.

Can you attend first and I claim later?

Yes. We prioritise making safe. We’ll issue a clear invoice and work statement for your claim. If your insurer needs additional detail (materials, fixings, measurements), we’ll supply it.

Do I need a police crime reference number for a smashed window?

If it’s related to burglary or vandalism, insurers generally expect a police reference number. For storm or accidental damage, it’s usually not required. We’ll still document evidence for your file.

Can you speak to my loss adjuster?

We’re happy to answer questions about the work we performed, materials used and why. We don’t provide valuations for permanent replacements—that’s typically handled by glaziers or builders.

How long can boards stay in place?

Boards can remain until permanent repairs are ready. For shopfronts or main entrances, we often recommend a temporary steel door for secure access. If your insurer requires ongoing photos, we can revisit and update.

What if my WD postcode is outside central Watford?

We cover WD1–WD25 including areas like WD3 and WD24. Typical attendance varies by time and workload. Call us and we’ll give a realistic ETA for your location.

Do you provide quotes before attending?

For emergencies, we explain cost factors and proceed to make safe. For planned works, we can outline likely methods and provide guidance—see our pricing page for how costs are calculated.

Can landlords claim for vacant property boarding?

Often yes, depending on policy and cause. For longer-term security we can supply steel security options for vacant properties with documentation to support claims.

Next Steps

We’ll secure the property, document the work, and provide the insurer-ready paperwork so you can focus on getting back to normal.