Insurance Claims Support for Boarding Up in Hemel Hempstead (HP)

If you’re dealing with a break-in, vandalism, storm damage or an accident, the last thing you need is uncertainty about the insurance side. Our job is to secure your property and leave you with clear, insurer-friendly documentation so you can move your claim forward with less stress.

We provide boarding up across Hemel Hempstead and the wider HP postcode area (HP1–HP27). We’re fully insured, have DBS-checked technicians, and we’ve been trading for 10+ years. For urgent help, use our emergency line and we’ll give you a realistic ETA when you call.

Need urgent help now? Call 01442 502 589
Prefer email? [email protected]

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

We deal with insurers’ requirements every week, and we know what evidence usually helps. However, it’s important to be transparent about roles.

What we do

  • Make safe and secure property after damage (windows, doors, shopfronts, roofs/skylights where accessible).
  • Provide itemised invoices and a clear statement of works describing what was damaged and what was installed.
  • Supply time-stamped photos (before/after where possible and safe).
  • Explain your options if the frame/structure is too damaged for non-destructive boarding methods.
  • If requested, we can provide RAMS (risk assessment/method statement) for commercial sites and facilities management processes.

What we don’t do

  • We’re not loss adjusters and can’t approve or guarantee what your insurer will pay.
  • We don’t carry out full remedial repairs (e.g., glazing replacement, carpentry reinstatement, smoke/odour remediation after fire). We secure the opening and help you stabilise the situation.

If you need urgent securing first, go straight to our emergency boarding up page and call—claims admin can follow once the building is safe.

Is boarding up covered by insurance?

Often, yes—when boarding up is necessary to prevent further loss, protect the public, or comply with policy conditions (for example, not leaving a property “open” after a burglary). Many policies treat this as an emergency mitigation measure.

That said, coverage depends on:

  • The cause of damage (burglary, malicious damage, storm, accidental impact, fire, flood)
  • Your excess and whether the event is covered
  • Whether the cost is considered reasonable and necessary
  • Any vacancy/unoccupancy clauses (common for empty properties)

If you’re unsure, contact your insurer as soon as practical and ask what they require. We can support you with the documentation they usually request.

For incident-specific guidance, you may also find these useful:

What insurers typically need (and what we provide)

Insurance handlers tend to ask for the same set of basics. Here’s what you can usually expect, and what we can supply.

Documentation you’ll receive from us

  • Itemised invoice (materials, labour, call-out as applicable)
  • Statement of works (what was found, what was secured, method used)
  • Time-stamped photos (damage and finished temporary boarding)
  • Company details for your claim file (contact, trading info, insurance on request)

Information you should gather (if safe)

  • Your policy number and insurer contact details
  • A police reference/crime number (especially for burglary/vandalism)
  • Your own photos of damage before anything is moved (only if safe)
  • A short written note of what happened and when (even a timeline in your phone)

If it’s a commercial site (shops, offices, industrial units), also note whether you need the building secured to meet business continuity requirements—insurers often understand urgency when there’s risk of further theft or public hazard.

The practical step-by-step: making a claim after emergency boarding up

This is a straightforward path that helps most people keep control of the situation.

  1. Make the scene safe

    • If there’s immediate danger (intruders, structural risk, fire), call emergency services first.
    • Avoid touching potential evidence after a burglary.

  2. Report the incident

    • Burglary/vandalism: obtain a crime reference number.
    • Vehicle impact or third-party damage: record vehicle details, witnesses if available.

  3. Contact your insurer

    • Tell them the property needs to be secured to prevent further loss.
    • Ask what evidence they want and whether they have preferred suppliers (you can still choose your own, depending on your policy).

  4. Arrange emergency boarding

    • Call us on 01442 502 589. We’ll talk through the opening size, access, and any urgent risks, then provide a realistic ETA.

  5. Keep records

    • Save invoices, photos, emails and the claim reference.
    • If you’re a landlord or facilities manager, store everything centrally—claims often move faster when paperwork is tidy.

If you’re still weighing which method is best, read what boarding up is and when it’s used.

How our boarding methods help your claim (and your security)

Insurers usually want to see that you took reasonable steps to protect the property. The method matters, especially if the building will be unattended.

Windows: plywood vs OSB (what we use and why)

  • 18mm exterior-grade plywood is a common choice for strong, reliable temporary boarding on larger openings.
  • OSB (often 12mm for smaller openings) can be suitable for short-term makesafe where conditions allow.

We select fixings and sheet thickness based on the size of opening, the condition of the surrounding frame, and whether there’s a risk of repeat targeting.

Learn more about window boarding in Hemel Hempstead.

Doors: boarding up vs temporary steel doors

If a door has been kicked in or the lock area is destroyed, boarding can be an immediate barrier. For higher risk sites (or where access is needed by contractors/tenants), a temporary steel door can be a better medium-term option.

See door boarding up options.

Shopfronts: securing larger glazed areas

Retail and commercial glazing often requires larger panels, careful fixing, and consideration of public-facing frontage. We focus on leaving the frontage safe, stable, and resistant to tampering, while keeping the site presentable where possible.

More on shopfront boarded up solutions.

Roofs and skylights: weather risk and safe access

After storm damage, an open rooflight or broken skylight can mean rapid internal damage. Boarding overhead openings requires the right access approach and fixings to hold in wind and rain—where it’s safe to do so.

Read about roof and skylight boarding.

Costs, authorisation and avoiding claim delays

We never publish fixed prices because costs vary by opening size, height/access, material choice, and the condition of the structure. But we can help you avoid the common pitfalls that slow claims down.

Common reasons claims get delayed

  • No crime reference number after a burglary/vandalism
  • Missing photos or unclear description of what was damaged
  • Unitemised invoices (just a single line total)
  • Work carried out without any record of why it was necessary (we include this in our statement of works)

Do you need insurer authorisation before boarding up?

Sometimes insurers prefer authorisation—but in genuine emergencies, making safe is often treated as necessary. If you can, call the insurer first. If you can’t (out of hours, immediate risk), secure the property and notify them as soon as practical.

For more on cost factors, see boarding up pricing.

Special considerations: landlords, vacant properties and commercial sites

Landlords and managing agents

If tenants are frightened or the property is unsecure, you’ll often need to act quickly. We can coordinate access with tenants/agents where available and provide documentation suitable for both insurance and deposit/tenancy records.

Relevant guidance: residential boarding up.

Vacant or void properties

Vacancy clauses can be strict. If the building is empty between tenancies or awaiting sale, it’s important to show you took steps to prevent further loss. Depending on risk, you may want more than basic temporary boarding.

See vacant property security and boarding.

Commercial and facilities management

Shops, offices and industrial units often need fast action out of hours to reduce downtime and public risk. We can provide clear paperwork for FM teams and support site sign-in processes where required.

Read more: commercial boarding up.

What to tell us on the phone (so we can help quickly)

When you call, a few details help us give the right advice and a realistic ETA:

  • Your postcode (e.g., HP1, HP2, HP3 and surrounding HP districts)
  • What’s damaged: smashed window, forced door, cracked shopfront glazing, roof opening
  • Any immediate hazards: loose glass, exposed electrics, unstable frames
  • Whether the property is occupied tonight
  • If police have attended and whether evidence needs preserving

Emergency line: Call 01442 502 589

Frequently asked questions about insurance claims and boarding up

Will my insurer pay you directly?

Sometimes insurers can pay contractors directly, but often the policyholder pays and claims reimbursement. We’ll provide an invoice and supporting documentation either way. If your insurer requests specific wording or a breakdown, tell us early and we’ll accommodate where reasonable.

Do you provide a “make safe certificate”?

Insurers use different terminology. We don’t issue a one-size-fits-all certificate, but we do provide a statement of works confirming the property was made safe and secured, along with photos and an itemised invoice—this is what most claims handlers actually need.

I’m in Hemel Hempstead (HP1/HP2). What should I do first after a break-in?

Prioritise safety and evidence:

  1. Call police if intruders may still be present.
  2. Get a crime reference number.
  3. If the property is exposed, call us to board up broken window or board up door and secure the opening.
    Then contact your insurer with the reference number and our documentation.

If you need immediate help, use 24/7 emergency boarding up in Hemel Hempstead.

Can you board up tonight, out of hours?

Yes—out of hours call-outs are a common part of what we do. We can’t promise a fixed arrival time, but we prioritise urgent situations and will give you a realistic ETA on the phone based on workload and travel.

What if the door/window frame is too damaged to fix boards securely?

It happens after heavy forced entry or impact. If the surrounding structure won’t safely take fixings, we’ll explain the options before proceeding—this might mean bracing, alternative fixing points, or a temporary steel door for stability and security.

Does boarding up affect my burglary claim?

Boarding up is typically viewed as a sensible mitigation step. The key is to keep a clear record: crime reference number, photos, and the invoice/statement of works. Avoid disturbing the scene unnecessarily before police have attended, if possible.

I’ve had storm damage—will boarding up help prevent further internal damage?

Yes. If wind has caused a smashed window or opened up a rooflight/skylight, temporary boarding can reduce water ingress and heat loss until permanent repairs are arranged. If the opening is overhead, we’ll only proceed where access is safe.

What if I’m not the policyholder (tenant/employee)?

You can still call us to secure property and make safe. For payment/claims paperwork, the policyholder (landlord, business owner, managing agent) usually needs to be involved. If you can, loop them in while we’re on our way.

Talk to us about your claim paperwork (and getting the building secured)

If you need emergency boarding up or you’re organising planned temporary boarding for an insurer visit, we’ll guide you through what we can provide and what information is worth collecting.

Ready to get started? Call 01442 502 589 or email us for help with securing your property and producing insurer-friendly documentation.