Insurance Claims for Boarding Up in North West London (NW)

Dealing with an insurance claim after a break-in, vandalism, storm damage or a fire is stressful—especially when you’re also trying to make your property safe. We provide boarding up North West London property owners and managers can rely on, and we’ll also give you the documentation insurers typically ask for.

If you need urgent help securing an opening first, we can prioritise safety and security and then follow up with the paperwork. For out-of-hours issues, see emergency boarding up.

Need to secure the property first? Call 020 4634 7794 or email info@boarding-up-north-west-london.co.uk.

What insurers usually want (and what we can provide)

Every insurer and policy is different, but when you claim for “emergency make-safe” or “temporary security”, you’re commonly asked for clear evidence of what happened and what was done.

After we attend, we can provide:

  • Itemised invoice describing labour, materials and the type of securing work carried out
  • Statement of work (plain-English description of what was unsafe/vulnerable and how it was secured)
  • Time-stamped photos of the damage and the completed boarding (where safe and practical)
  • Material details (e.g., 18mm exterior-grade plywood, anti-tamper fixings, temporary steel door where required)
  • Site notes where access is complex (communal entrances, rear access, scaffolding restrictions, etc.)

We’re not loss adjusters and we can’t tell you what your insurer will pay—but we can make it easier for you to submit a clear, well-documented claim.

If you want to understand the basics of the service itself, read what is boarding up.

Before you call your insurer: quick checklist (5 minutes)

If it’s safe to do so (and you’re not in danger), these steps help later:

  1. Make sure everyone is safe and call emergency services if needed.
  2. If it’s a crime, get a police reference number (you may need it to claim).
  3. Take a few photos of the damage before anything is moved (wide shots + close-ups).
  4. Prevent further damage where safe (e.g., move valuables away from exposed windows).
  5. Avoid throwing anything away that might be relevant (broken locks, damaged hardware), unless it’s hazardous.

If your property can’t be left insecure—common after forced entry—call us and we’ll secure it promptly. For break-ins, see burglary repairs and boarding up.

How our boarding-up work supports your claim

Insurers often look for proof you took reasonable steps to reduce further loss. Boarding up is typically part of that “make safe” response—particularly when there’s exposed glazing, a damaged door, or a void property that’s now vulnerable.

We commonly help customers in North West London with:

  • Emergency window boarding after smashed panes or failed double-glazing
  • Door boarding where the door leaf/frame has been forced or split
  • Shopfront boarding for cracked/smashed commercial glazing
  • Roof and skylight boarding after storm damage or impact
  • Temporary steel doors for repeated break-in risk or when a doorway can’t be secured with timber alone

You can read more about methods on our service pages, including window boarding in North West London and door boarding up.

What to expect from us (step-by-step)

When you call, we’ll keep it practical and focused on getting the site secure.

  1. We ask a few essentials
    What happened, what’s damaged (window/door/shopfront/roof), whether it’s occupied, and if there are any safety concerns (loose glass, fire damage, structural movement).

  2. We talk access and neighbours
    In NW London it’s common to have communal entrances, controlled parking, or rear access via side passages—especially in mansion blocks and terraces around areas like Camden, West Hampstead and Kilburn. If you have a managing agent or concierge, we’ll coordinate.

  3. We attend and assess fixing options
    Where possible we use non-destructive fixing methods that protect frames and surrounding masonry.
    If the frame is too damaged (common after a kick-in or when uPVC has split), we’ll explain the safest option before proceeding.

  4. We secure the opening properly
    Depending on the risk and the opening size, we may use:

    • 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strength and weather resistance
    • 12mm OSB for smaller/low-risk areas (where appropriate)
    • Anti-tamper fixings to reduce the chance of external removal
    • A temporary steel door when a doorway needs medium-term security

  5. We document the work
    Photos and paperwork are prepared so you can forward them to your insurer or managing agent.

If you’re dealing with a commercial incident, see commercial property boarding up. For empty buildings between tenancies, vacant property security may be more appropriate than short-term timber boarding alone.

Situations where insurance claims commonly involve boarding up

After a burglary or attempted break-in

Forced doors, damaged locks, splintered frames and smashed panes can’t be left open—especially overnight. Boarding up is often the quickest way to secure the property while you arrange repairs. See secure property after burglary.

After vandalism

Shattered glass and exposed shopfronts are a common “make safe” callout, particularly for ground-floor premises. See vandalism repair and boarding.

After storm damage

High winds can dislodge panels, crack glazing and lift roof elements. Boarding up helps prevent water ingress and further claims. See storm damage boarding up.

After fire damage

We don’t provide smoke or odour remediation, but we can secure openings once the site is handed over and it’s safe to work—especially if windows have failed from heat or doors have been forced for access. See fire damage securing.

After flooding

Floodwater can swell timber frames and compromise doors and windows. Sometimes the priority is temporary security with ventilation considerations until drying and repairs begin. See flood damage help.

Will my insurance cover boarding up?

It depends on your policy, excess, and the cause of damage. Many policies include some form of cover for:

  • “Emergency make safe” / “temporary repairs”
  • Securing the building to prevent further loss
  • Boarding up after insured events (e.g., burglary, storm, impact)

However, insurers may not cover work if:

  • The damage is classed as wear and tear or pre-existing
  • The property is unoccupied and you haven’t met policy conditions
  • There’s no evidence of the incident (e.g., no police ref for theft where required)

If you’re unsure, submit the claim anyway and ask your insurer how they define “temporary security” and what evidence they require. We’ll supply sensible documentation, but we can’t guarantee insurer acceptance.

For cost factors (without fixed prices), see boarding up pricing.

Information to include when you submit your claim

To reduce back-and-forth, it helps to submit:

  • Policy number and claim reference (if already opened)
  • Police reference number (if relevant)
  • Date/time of incident and when you discovered it
  • Photos of damage (before and after)
  • Our invoice and statement of work
  • Notes about occupancy (tenanted, owner-occupied, vacant, managed block)

If you’re a landlord or managing agent, it can help to keep a short record of:

  • Who attended site and when (warden/concierge/tenant)
  • Any temporary measures taken before we arrived
  • Keys/access arrangements for follow-up repairs

For landlords, managing agents and facilities teams in NW London

North West London has a lot of rented flats, mansion blocks and mixed-use buildings—from busy high roads with retail units at ground level to quieter residential streets. Claims can involve multiple stakeholders: tenants, freeholders, managing agents, insurers and contractors.

We can work with:

  • Landlords needing fast securing to keep tenants safe
  • Managing agents who require clear documentation and controlled access
  • Facilities managers for offices, schools and commercial estates needing RAMS-style site discipline (where applicable)

If your issue is urgent and you need the premises secured out of hours, use our 24/7 emergency boarding up service.

FAQs about insurance claims and boarding up (North West London)

Do you deal with my insurer directly?

We can provide invoices, photos and a work summary that you can forward to your insurer or loss adjuster. If your insurer or managing agent emails questions about what we did, we can respond, but we don’t negotiate settlements or act as a loss adjuster.

Should I call you or my insurer first?

If the property is unsafe or exposed, securing it comes first. Once it’s safe and weather-tight, call your insurer with the incident details and any reference numbers. If you’re unsure, call us and we’ll talk through what’s sensible.

What if the window/door frame is too damaged to board neatly?

We’ll always aim for a secure, tidy install, but severe damage can limit non-destructive options. If we need to fix into sound surrounding structure to make the opening safe, we’ll explain why before we proceed.

Can you help if the property is empty or between tenants?

Yes. Insurers often have stricter requirements for unoccupied buildings. In many cases a stronger, longer-term option is appropriate—see vacant property boarding and security.

Do you provide permanent repairs and glazing replacement?

Our primary role is temporary security and make-safe. We can advise on next steps, but permanent joinery or glazing replacement is usually a separate trade. If you need urgent temporary securing tonight, start with emergency boarding up.

Ready to secure your property and get the paperwork you need?

If your insurer needs evidence of temporary security—or you simply need the building safe before you can think straight—we can help.

Ready to get started? Call 020 4634 7794 or email us for a free, no-obligation quote.