Insurance Claims Support for Boarding Up in Dartford (DA1–DA18)

When you’ve had a break-in, vandalism, storm damage or an accident, the last thing you need is extra admin. If your property in Dartford (or anywhere across the DA postcodes) needs securing, we can help you make safe quickly and provide the clear documentation insurers typically ask for.

We’re Boarding Up Dartford—10+ years trading, fully insured, with DBS-checked technicians. We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors, but we do know what an insurer normally needs to process emergency repairs and temporary security.

Need urgent help right now? Use our emergency boarding up service or call 01322 952 450.

What we do (and what we don’t) for insurance claims

Insurance claims can be straightforward—until the property is left exposed. Our role is to secure property and record what we’ve done in a way you can pass on to your insurer or managing agent.

We can help with:

  • Emergency boarding up after burglary, a smashed window, or a forced door
  • Temporary boarding for windows, doors, shopfronts, and vulnerable openings
  • Make safe work to reduce further loss (weather ingress, repeated entry attempts)
  • Evidence you can send to insurers, such as photos and an itemised invoice

You can explore methods in more detail on what boarding up is and our boarding up services in Dartford.

We don’t:

  • Approve claims or decide cover (that’s your insurer)
  • Provide legal advice
  • Carry out specialist restoration (e.g., smoke/odour remediation after fire). After a fire, our focus is to secure the property—see fire damage make-safe.

The paperwork insurers typically ask for (and what we provide)

Different insurers request different things, but most want a clear record of what happened and what was done to prevent further damage.

We typically provide:

  • Time-stamped photos (before and after, where safe to do so)
  • An itemised invoice showing labour, materials, and attendance details
  • A short work statement explaining:
    • what we secured (e.g., “board up broken window” to front elevation)
    • what materials were used (e.g., 18mm exterior-grade plywood, anti-tamper fixings)
    • any site limitations (access, structural damage, unsafe glazing, etc.)

If the frame or surrounding structure is too damaged for a non-destructive fix, we’ll explain the options before proceeding—because “make safe” should never create bigger problems later.

Step-by-step: how to handle an insurance claim after damage

This is a practical checklist we run through with customers across DA1–DA18. Use what applies to your situation.

  1. Make sure everyone is safe

    • If there’s a crime in progress, call 999.
    • If the building is unsafe (fire, structural issues, loose glass), keep back and wait for emergency services.

  2. Report the incident

  3. Take photos if it’s safe

    • A few wide shots plus close-ups can help. Don’t put yourself at risk to get them.

  4. Call us to secure the property

    • If you need out of hours help, use our 24/7 emergency boarding up.
    • We’ll ask a few quick questions (property type, access, opening size, and what’s been damaged) and give you a realistic ETA.

  5. Notify your insurer as early as you can

    • Ask whether they have preferred contractors, and whether emergency “make safe” work is covered.
    • If you’re a tenant, also inform your landlord or managing agent.

  6. Keep all receipts and documents

    • We’ll provide an invoice and photo record to support your claim.

Why “make safe” matters for insurance

Insurers usually expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent further loss. That’s where emergency boarding up and temporary security can help—especially if the property is going to be unattended.

Common examples include:

  • A smashed window allowing rain, wind, or opportunistic entry
  • A forced door that won’t shut securely (often needs a board up door solution or a temporary security option)
  • A shopfront boarded up after impact damage to reduce risk overnight
  • Storm-damaged openings where temporary boarding buys time until glazing or joinery repairs can be arranged

For service options, see:

Materials and methods we use (and why insurers like clear records)

We choose materials based on the opening size, the condition of the surrounding frame, and how long the property needs to remain secure.

Typical approaches include:

  • 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strong, reliable security on larger openings
  • 12mm OSB for smaller/low-risk areas where appropriate
  • Anti-tamper fixings where the board could otherwise be removed from outside (important for vacant or repeat-target properties)
  • Methods designed to be secure while avoiding unnecessary damage—where the substrate allows

If a property will be empty for longer, we may recommend more robust options. For vacant homes and void units, see vacant property boarding solutions.

Common claim scenarios we support in Dartford and the DA postcodes

We regularly attend situations where customers need both urgent security and sensible documentation.

Burglary / forced entry

  • Split door frames, damaged locks, broken panes
  • Often needs a quick “secure property after burglary” approach plus photos/invoice
    Learn more: burglary repairs and boarding up

Vandalism and smashed glazing

  • “Smashed window” call-outs for homes, stairwells, and small commercial fronts
  • Boarding prevents further damage and reduces risk of injury
    Learn more: vandalism repair and make-safe

Storm damage

  • Loose panels, broken windows from debris, or compromised roof openings
  • Priority is weather protection and safe fixing points
    Learn more: storm damage boarding

Fire damage

  • Once the fire service has finished, properties can be vulnerable to entry and weather
  • We secure the site; specialist restoration is separate
    Learn more: fire damage securing

Accidental impact (vehicle strike, collision, site damage)

  • Larger openings and mixed damage (frames, brickwork, glazing)
  • We’ll advise if the structure needs assessment before we can fix securely
    Learn more: accident damage make-safe

Landlords, managing agents & commercial policies

If you manage property across Dartford and the DA area, the key is fast action with tidy paperwork.

We can help with:

  • Communal areas and flats above shops (access and safety considerations)
  • Out-of-hours attendance to secure entrances, stairwells, and shopfronts
  • Clear job notes for maintenance logs and insurer submissions

For tailored guidance by property type:

What to tell us on the phone (to speed things up)

When you call 01322 952 450, it helps if you can share:

  • The postcode (DA1–DA18) and whether it’s residential or commercial
  • What’s damaged (window, door, shopfront, roof/skylight)
  • Whether there are safety issues (loose glass, exposed edges, unstable frame)
  • Whether police or emergency services are attending/finished
  • If the property will be unattended overnight (we may suggest anti-tamper fixing or stronger temporary security)

If you have them, photos sent after the call can help us arrive prepared.

FAQs: Insurance claims and boarding up in Dartford

Do you work with insurance companies directly?

We can provide documentation that insurers commonly request (photos, itemised invoice, work statement). Some customers submit this themselves; others route it via a managing agent. We’re happy to support either way, but we’re not loss adjusters and we can’t approve claims.

Is boarding up covered by insurance in Dartford?

Often, emergency “make safe” work is covered—but cover depends on your policy and circumstances. The best step is to contact your insurer early, explain that the property needs securing, and ask about emergency works and any preferred contractor rules.

Can you board up my window tonight?

If you need out of hours help, use our emergency boarding up service. We prioritise urgent calls and aim to attend as quickly as possible. We can’t guarantee a fixed arrival time, but we’ll give you a realistic ETA on the phone.

What if the frame is too damaged to fix a board securely?

We’ll assess on arrival. If the surrounding frame or structure won’t take fixings safely, we’ll explain options before proceeding. Sometimes a different method, alternative fixing points, or additional temporary security is needed.

Do you provide “before and after” photos for my claim?

Yes—where it’s safe to do so. We typically supply time-stamped photos showing the vulnerable opening and the completed make-safe boarding.

What information should I keep for my insurer after a break-in?

Keep your police reference number, any photos of the damage, and all invoices/receipts. If you’ve had a burglary, our burglary repairs page explains the practical next steps.

Can you secure a shopfront and help with commercial claim paperwork?

Yes. We regularly secure commercial glazing and can provide documentation suitable for commercial claims. See shopfront boarding for how we handle larger openings and busy locations.

I’m a landlord—can I arrange boarding up for my tenant’s property?

Yes. Landlords and agents can instruct us directly. We’ll document the work for your records and for the insurer where relevant. See residential boarding up for common landlord scenarios.

How much does boarding up cost for an insurance claim?

Costs depend on the size of the opening, height/access, materials, and how complex the fixing needs to be. We avoid guesswork—send details and we’ll explain likely options. For a clear overview, see pricing.

Next steps: secure the property and keep your claim moving

If you’re dealing with a smashed window, forced door, shopfront damage or storm impact, securing the opening quickly helps protect the property—and helps keep your insurance claim tidy.

Need help now? Call 01322 952 450 for immediate assistance.
Or email: [email protected]