Insurance Claims Support for Boarding Up in East London (E Postcodes)

If you’ve had a break-in, vandalism, storm damage or an accident, dealing with the insurer can feel like a second emergency—especially when you’re trying to secure the property and stop things getting worse.

At Boarding Up East London, we’ve been trading for 10+ years and we’re fully insured, with DBS-checked technicians working across the E postcode area (E1–E77). We’re not loss adjusters and we can’t tell you what your policy will pay, but we can help in the ways that usually matter most: we make safe, board up damaged openings, and provide clear documentation insurers typically request.

If you need urgent help first, go straight to our emergency boarding up page or call 020 4634 6384.

What insurers usually expect after damage (and what we can provide)

Most policies are concerned with two things straight away:

1. Preventing further loss (often called “mitigating loss”)
2. Evidence and paperwork to support what happened and what was done

When we attend for emergency boarding up East London, we can normally provide:

• Itemised invoice showing labour, materials, and any additional work needed to secure safely
• Work statement describing what was damaged and what we installed (e.g., 18mm exterior-grade plywood to a window opening, anti-tamper fixings, temporary boarding method)
• Time-stamped photos of the damage and the completed boarding (where access and safety allow)
• Notes on access issues or safety constraints (e.g., unsafe glass, compromised frames, police presence, fire service restrictions)

If something is too damaged for non-destructive fixing methods, we’ll explain the options before proceeding so you can make an informed decision.

The practical order of events: what to do first

If you’re unsure what comes first—police, insurer, boarding—this is a sensible, real-world order for most East London incidents.

1. Make it safe (people first)

   • If there are intruders or a crime in progress, call 999.
   • If there’s exposed glass, sharp edges, or structural risk, keep people away from the area.

2. Get a crime or incident reference (where applicable)

   • After a burglary or malicious damage, a police reference number is often helpful.
   • After a vehicle impact, note any incident number and third-party details if safe to do so.

3. Take photos (only if safe)

   • Wide shots and close-ups help: broken glazing, damaged locks/frames, mess left behind, and the general scene.

4. Arrange emergency boarding / make safe

   • If there’s an open door, smashed window, or exposed shopfront, don’t wait until morning—especially if the property may be unattended.
   • We can board up broken windows and doors and provide temporary boarding to secure the site. See what boarding up is if you want a quick overview.

5. Contact your insurer as soon as practical

   • Many insurers have a 24-hour claims line.
   • Ask what they need from you and whether they require specific documentation.

If you need urgent attendance, use 24/7 boarding up East London and we’ll give you a realistic ETA over the phone based on workload and time of day.

What “make safe” and “temporary boarding” mean for a claim

Insurers usually understand that boarding up is temporary security, not a permanent repair. The aim is to:

• Prevent unauthorised entry
• Reduce weather exposure (rain, wind, cold)
• Stabilise the site so proper repairs can be planned

Depending on the opening and risk level, the temporary solution might be:

• Exterior-grade plywood (often 18mm for larger or higher-risk openings)
• OSB (commonly 12mm for smaller or lower-risk applications)
• Anti-tamper fixings to reduce the chance of removal from outside
• A temporary steel door where a doorway is compromised and the property needs a safer medium-term option (particularly on vacant or repeatedly targeted sites)

If you’re comparing options, you can read more about window boarding in East London and door boarding up.

Common claim scenarios we see across East London

While every incident is different, these are the situations that frequently trigger insurance calls in the E postcode area:

Burglary or attempted break-in

A forced door, damaged lock area, or a smashed window can leave the property vulnerable overnight. We’ll secure the opening and document what was done so you can forward it to your insurer.
Related guidance: burglary repairs and boarding up.

Vandalism and smashed glazing

Shopfronts and ground-floor windows can’t be left open—especially if the premises holds stock or sensitive equipment. We can make safe and board up quickly, then you can arrange glazing replacement through your chosen contractor.
Related guidance: vandalism repair and boarding.

Storm damage and wind-blown debris

Loose panels, broken windows, or damaged roof openings can lead to rapid water ingress. Emergency boarding is often about weatherproofing as much as security.
Related guidance: storm damage boarding.

Fire damage (post-incident security)

After the fire service has finished, properties can be left exposed (missing doors/windows, broken glazing, compromised frames). We secure the property; smoke and odour remediation is outside our scope, but we can help you protect the site while the claim progresses.
Related guidance: fire damage make safe.

Will my insurance cover boarding up?

It depends on your policy, excess, and the circumstances. Many policies do cover emergency security measures after a covered event—particularly where you’re preventing further damage or theft.

What we can say (honestly) is:

• Boarding up is commonly treated as an emergency measure to secure property and reduce risk
• Insurers often request invoices and photos as supporting evidence
• You may need to pay upfront and reclaim—some insurers do not pay contractors directly

If you’re uncertain, call your insurer and ask:

• “Is emergency boarding up covered under my policy for this incident?”
• “Do you need me to use an approved contractor?”
• “What documents do you require to process reimbursement?”

If you’re dealing with multiple contractors (glazier, locksmith, builder), keep everything in one folder—insurers usually respond better to clear timelines and paperwork.

What you’ll receive from us for your claim

After we attend, we can provide documentation suitable for most claim files, including:

• Itemised invoice (materials, labour, call-out where applicable)
• Description of works (what was secured, method used, any constraints)
• Photo evidence (before/after where possible)
• Date/time record of attendance and completion

If you’re a landlord, managing agent, or facilities manager, we can also tailor the description to match your internal reporting and compliance needs (within reason).

For general cost guidance, see our pricing information (we don’t publish fixed prices because openings, access, and risk vary widely).

If the property is vacant, in probate, or between tenancies

Insurance and securing needs often become more strict when a property is unoccupied. If the building will be left empty, it may need more than a single sheet of ply on a window.

We’ll talk you through practical options such as stronger boarding methods and, where appropriate, a temporary steel door to reduce repeated break-in risk. You may also find this helpful: vacant property boarding and security.

Working with police, building management, and site rules

In East London it’s common for boarding jobs to involve:

• Flats with communal entrances (access needs arranging)
• Shops and commercial units with shutters, alarm procedures, or keyholders
• Managed buildings where you may need permission to drill/fix into certain frames or facades

If you’re not on site, we can still often help, but we’ll need:

• A keyholder or access method
• Permission to proceed (email/text confirmation is usually fine)
• Any site restrictions you’re aware of

We’ll always prioritise safety. If an opening is structurally unsafe or access is high-risk without proper equipment, we’ll explain what’s possible and what isn’t.

How long does boarding up take (and does that affect claims)?

Most boarding work is completed the same visit, but the time depends on:

• Size and number of openings
• Whether frames are intact enough for standard fixing methods
• Access (upper floors, restricted entry, busy frontages)
• Whether the area needs extra make safe work first (clearing loose glass, stabilising a damaged door)

Insurers generally care that the property was secured promptly and reasonably. If you can’t safely take photos beforehand, don’t worry—we can usually record the damage on arrival.

Tips that genuinely help your claim (without overcomplicating it)

• Keep all reference numbers (police, incident, claim)
• Write a short timeline (what happened, when discovered, when reported, when secured)
• Don’t throw away damaged parts (locks, broken hardware) unless they’re hazardous—insurers sometimes ask
• Take “context” photos (show the whole elevation/room, not only the broken pane)
• Ask for written confirmation from your insurer if they give approval over the phone

If you need more general answers, our FAQs can help, and if you’d like to see feedback from customers who’ve been in similar situations, visit our reviews.

Questions we’re often asked about insurance claims

Do you deal directly with my insurer?

We can provide documentation and answer practical questions about what we did on site, but we don’t act as a loss adjuster and we can’t negotiate claim outcomes. In most cases, you’ll submit our invoice and photos to your insurer.

Can you quote before you attend?

Sometimes—if you can send clear photos and measurements, we can give guidance. But for emergency jobs, the safest approach is often to secure first, then provide an itemised invoice for the actual works completed. If you want to discuss options, use our contact page.

What if the frame is too damaged to board neatly?

If the surrounding frame or masonry is compromised, we may need a different fixing approach to keep the boarding safe and effective. We’ll explain the options before proceeding, especially if it involves additional fixings or a more robust method.

Will you remove the boards later?

We can discuss return visits, but removal is usually arranged once glazing/repairs are ready to proceed. If you need a longer-term solution, we’ll advise at the time rather than leaving you with something unsuitable.

I’m a tenant—should I call you or my landlord?

If the property is insecure (open door, smashed window), getting it secured quickly matters. If you can, notify the landlord/agent immediately. Where authorisation is needed, we can work with the responsible party, but we’ll be transparent about what we require before attending.

Ready to secure the property and keep your claim moving?

If you need documentation-friendly emergency boarding up and a clear work record for your insurer, we can help across East London (E1–E77).

Ready to get started? Call 020 4634 6384 or email us for a free, no-obligation quote.