Insurance Claims Support for Boarding Up in Stevenage (SG1–SG19)

When your property has been broken into, vandalised, or damaged in a storm, the insurance side can feel like a second emergency. If you need boarding up in Stevenage and you’re also trying to keep an insurer happy, we can help with the practical parts: making the building safe, securing openings, and providing clear documentation that insurers typically ask for.

We cover Stevenage and the wider SG area (SG1–SG19). For urgent help, use our emergency line.

Need help now? Call 01438 594 023 for immediate assistance.

What we can (and can’t) do for your insurance claim

We’re a boarding-up and property-securing service. That means we can support your claim with evidence and clear work records—but we’re not loss adjusters, and we can’t tell you what your insurer will or won’t pay.

What we can provide

  • Emergency boarding up / make safe work to reduce further damage and risk.
  • Itemised invoices describing materials and labour (useful for claims and facilities teams).
  • Work statements (what was damaged, what we secured, and how).
  • Time-stamped photos before and after, where safe to do so.
  • Advice on practical next steps (who to call, what to record, and what to avoid).

What we can’t do

  • Decide liability, assess the full value of loss, or negotiate your settlement.
  • Provide legal advice.
  • Carry out specialist remediation (for example, smoke/odour removal after a fire is outside our scope—we focus on securing the property).

If you’re currently dealing with a break-in or damaged doors/windows, you may want to start with our emergency boarding up page.

Why insurers expect “make safe” action (and why boarding up matters)

After damage, insurers often expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent the situation getting worse—especially where an opening could allow:

  • further theft or vandalism
  • water ingress and secondary damage
  • injury risk to occupants or members of the public
  • invalidation concerns if a property is left insecure for too long

Boarding up is a straightforward, widely accepted “make safe” measure because it quickly secures the property and helps demonstrate you acted responsibly.

If you’re unsure what method is right, our overview on what is boarding up explains the basics in plain English.

What to do before you call (if it’s safe)

If you’re in Stevenage or anywhere across the SG postcodes and you’ve had a smashed window, forced door, or shopfront damage, these steps can make the insurance process easier:

  1. Make sure everyone is safe first. If there’s any danger, keep people away from the damaged area.
  2. Call the police if a crime is suspected and ask for a crime reference number.
  3. Take photos/video of the damage before anything is moved (only if safe).
  4. Avoid clearing up glass or debris until you’ve photographed it (again, safety first).
  5. Call your insurer as early as possible to log the incident and ask about emergency works.
  6. Call us to secure the opening so the property isn’t left exposed overnight or out of hours.

If you’re dealing with a residential property, see residential boarding up for what typically matters to insurers and landlords. For shops and offices, commercial boarding up may be more relevant.

How we document boarding-up work for insurance

Insurance paperwork is rarely complicated—it’s often just incomplete. We focus on producing documentation that’s clear enough for a claims handler to understand what happened and why urgent securing work was necessary.

Typical documentation you’ll receive

  • Invoice with a clear scope of work, including the address and date
  • Description of the openings secured (e.g., ground-floor window, rear door, shopfront glazing)
  • Materials used (e.g., 18mm exterior-grade plywood for larger openings, 12mm OSB where appropriate)
  • Fixing method (e.g., anti-tamper fixings to prevent removal from outside)
  • Photos (time-stamped where possible) showing the damage and the completed temporary boarding

If a frame is too damaged for non-destructive fixing, we’ll explain your options before proceeding—especially where we need to prioritise safety or security over preserving damaged timber.

Choosing the right method (and why it affects claims)

Insurers generally care about two things: whether the property is secure, and whether the work is reasonable for the situation. That’s why we choose methods based on risk, access, and how long the property might be unattended.

Window boarding (smashed or vulnerable glazing)

For a smashed window, we usually recommend a solid board solution sized to the opening, fixed to resist tampering. Learn more about window boarding in Stevenage.

Door security (forced entry, broken locks, damaged frames)

Where a door can’t be reliably closed and locked, boarding can be a short-term measure. For higher-risk situations or vacant properties, a temporary steel door may be more appropriate. See door boarding up.

Shopfronts and commercial glazing

Retail and commercial sites often need a more robust approach (larger openings, higher footfall, greater visibility). For details, visit shopfront boarding.

Rooflights and overhead openings

Storms and impact damage can expose rooflights or skylights. Securing overhead openings is as much about weatherproofing as it is about security. Read about roof boarding.

Insurance-friendly tips that can prevent delays

A smooth claim is often about consistency—dates, times, addresses, reference numbers, and a clear timeline.

  • Keep your reference numbers together (crime reference, claim number, call logs).
  • Record when the damage was discovered (not just when it happened—sometimes you don’t know).
  • Tell your insurer if the property will be vacant—it can change what security they expect.
  • Ask if the insurer wants multiple quotes for follow-on repairs. (We secure the property; glazing/lock replacement may be a separate contractor.)
  • Don’t dispose of damaged items until you’ve confirmed what the insurer needs (unless it’s unsafe to keep).

If you want a more general overview of costs without fixed figures, see our pricing guidance.

Common scenarios we attend that often involve insurance

We regularly attend properties across Stevenage and the SG area after incidents where insurance claims are likely, including:

If you need to speak to someone quickly (and what we’ll ask)

When you call, we’ll keep it practical. We don’t quote fixed arrival times because conditions and workload vary—but we’ll give you a realistic ETA on the phone and prioritise urgent jobs where a property is exposed.

We’ll usually ask:

  • the postcode (e.g., SG1, SG2, SG3, etc.)
  • what’s damaged (window, door, shopfront, rooflight)
  • whether the site is occupied or vacant
  • whether there’s any immediate risk (children present, public access, loose glass)
  • whether police or fire service are in attendance (or have just left)

For out-of-hours incidents, you can always start at 24/7 emergency boarding up in Stevenage.

FAQs: Insurance claims and boarding up in Stevenage

Do I need to contact my insurer before I arrange boarding up?

If it’s safe and practical, yes—call your insurer to log the incident and ask about emergency works. But if the property is open to the elements or insecure, making the site safe quickly is usually the priority. Keep records, photos, and reference numbers.

Will my insurance cover emergency boarding up?

Some policies cover it, some treat it as part of emergency mitigation, and some apply limits or excess. We can’t confirm cover, but we’ll provide the documentation insurers typically request so you can submit it with your claim.

What information should I keep for my claim?

At minimum: incident date/time (or discovery time), photos, crime reference number (if applicable), claim number, and our invoice/work statement. If multiple trades are involved later (glazier, locksmith), keep those documents together too.

Can you invoice my insurer directly?

In most cases we invoice the customer or responsible party (owner, landlord, managing agent). If you’re a facilities manager or agent and need a specific PO/invoice format, tell us when you call and we’ll confirm what we can support.

What if the window or door frame is badly damaged?

We’ll assess on arrival. If the frame is too compromised for standard fixings, we’ll explain options before proceeding. The priority is to secure the property safely without creating further hazards.

Should I repair the glass/door first, or board it up first?

If the property is exposed, board first—repairs can follow once parts and contractors are arranged. Boarding helps prevent further damage and shows you took sensible steps. For common methods, see window boarding in Stevenage and door boarding up.

Can you provide photos for my insurer?

Yes, where it’s safe to do so. We can supply photos that show the damage and the completed temporary boarding, which can help your insurer understand why emergency work was needed.

Speak to us about securing your property (and keeping your claim straightforward)

If you need emergency boarding up or you want to plan security for a vacant property while a claim progresses, we’re here to help across Stevenage and SG1–SG19.

Ready to get started? Call 01438 594 023 or email us for a free, no-obligation quote.