Insurance Claims Support for Boarding Up in Tonbridge (TN Postcodes)

If you’re dealing with a break-in, vandalism, storm damage or an accident, the insurance side can feel like a second emergency. We provide practical, insurer-friendly documentation alongside our boarding-up work across Tonbridge and the wider TN postcode area (TN1–TN40), so you can focus on getting the property secure and safe.

We’re fully insured, have DBS-checked technicians, and have been trading 10+ years. We’re not loss adjusters and we can’t approve claims—but we can make the property safe and give you the evidence insurers typically ask for.

Need urgent help now? Call 01732 900 178 (or email [email protected]).

What we can (and can’t) do for insurance claims

What we can do

  • Secure the property quickly to prevent further damage or unauthorised access (broken windows, damaged doors, compromised shopfront glazing, roof openings).
  • Provide time-stamped photos (before, during and after) when possible.
  • Provide an itemised invoice and a clear statement of works describing what we did and why.
  • Explain the options and trade-offs (e.g., plywood vs OSB, temporary steel door vs boarding) so you can choose a method that fits the risk and likely claim process.
  • Help you document “make safe” actions that insurers commonly expect after an incident.

Relevant services you may want to read about:

What we can’t do

  • We are not your insurer, broker, or loss adjuster, and we can’t confirm what your policy will cover.
  • We don’t provide structural engineering sign-off.
  • We don’t provide fire restoration or smoke/odour remediation—after a fire, our role is to secure the building and reduce exposure to further risk. (See fire damage support for what we can do.)

Why “make safe” matters to insurers (and to your property)

After an incident, your policy often expects you to take reasonable steps to secure property and reduce further loss. That can include boarding up a smashed window, boarding up a door after forced entry, or securing a damaged shopfront.

Even if you’re unsure about claiming, it’s usually sensible to:

  • Prevent further weather ingress (rain/wind)
  • Reduce theft and trespass risk
  • Keep the site safe for occupants, neighbours, staff, or customers

If you need urgent attendance, start here: 24/7 boarding up in Tonbridge.

What you’ll receive from us (useful for claims)

Most insurers want a clear paper trail that shows what happened, what was done immediately, and what it cost. We aim to supply documentation that’s easy to forward to your insurer or managing agent.

You can typically expect:

  • Photos of the damage and the completed boarding/securement
    • Where possible we take “before/after” images; if access is unsafe we’ll explain what we can and can’t photograph.
  • Itemised invoice
    • Materials, labour, and any additional requirements (for example, out-of-hours attendance where applicable).
  • Statement of works
    • A plain-English description of what we did: sizes covered, fixing method used, and why that method was appropriate.
  • Notes on limitations
    • If frames are too damaged for non-destructive fixing methods, we’ll talk you through the options before proceeding.

If you also need a general overview of what boarding up involves, see: what is boarding up?

Our approach: practical documentation, not guesswork

We’ve found that claims go more smoothly when the work is described clearly and backed up with visuals. When we attend, we focus on:

  • Accurate descriptions of openings
    • e.g., ground-floor window, first-floor window, rear door, shopfront panel.
  • Appropriate materials
    • Commonly 18mm exterior-grade plywood for robust protection; 12mm OSB can suit smaller or lower-risk openings depending on the situation.
  • Secure fixings
    • We use methods designed to reduce outside removal. Anti-tamper approaches matter particularly for vacant properties or premises that will be unattended.
  • Weather resistance
    • Boarding is primarily for security and safety, but we consider exposure and water ingress risk as part of making the property safe.

If the incident is linked to a specific event, these guides can help:

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

When you’re dealing with a smashed window or forced door, you might be juggling police, neighbours, alarms, and family or staff. If you can do the following safely, it often helps your insurer later:

  1. Make sure everyone is safe
    Don’t touch broken glass, and don’t enter if there’s structural risk.
  2. If it’s a crime, contact the police
    Keep your crime reference number.
  3. Take a few photos (from a safe distance)
    Capture the overall scene and the damaged opening.
  4. Contact your insurer early
    Ask what they need from you and whether they have preferred contractors. (You can still use a local boarding-up service—just keep the paperwork clear.)
  5. Call us to secure the property
    We’ll ask a few quick questions (property type, what’s damaged, whether it’s occupied, and access).

For urgent attendance, go straight to: emergency boarding up in Tonbridge

What happens when you call us

We keep the call straightforward—especially out of hours.

  1. We confirm the risk and the opening(s) to secure
    For example: board up broken window, board up door, shopfront boarded up, or roof opening.
  2. We give a realistic ETA
    We don’t quote fixed arrival times—traffic, access, and existing call-outs vary—but we’ll be honest about likely attendance.
  3. We attend, make safe, and document the work
    We’ll secure the opening using an appropriate method, then provide the paperwork and photos you need.

If you’re unsure whether you need a full emergency call-out or planned securing, our pricing guidance explains what affects cost without quoting fixed figures.

We cover residential, commercial and vacant properties across Tonbridge and TN1–TN40. Typical call-outs that often involve insurance include:

  • Smashed window after vandalism or attempted entry (temporary boarding to secure the opening)
  • Forced door where the lock area or frame has been damaged (boarding or a stronger temporary option)
  • Shopfront glazing damaged after impact or vandalism (larger sheets, commercial access considerations)
  • Storm damage where an opening is exposed and needs weather protection and security
  • Fire-damaged premises where doors/windows are compromised and need securing (we secure; remediation is separate)

If your property will be unoccupied, you may also want to look at solutions beyond timber boarding:

Occupied vs vacant properties: what insurers often look for

The right make-safe method depends on risk level and how long the property will be exposed.

Occupied properties (homes, flats, trading premises)

  • Boarding may be short-term while glazing/door repairs are arranged.
  • We aim for a secure solution that keeps the property safe and reduces draughts and weather ingress where possible.

Vacant or void properties

  • Risk is usually higher—insurers may expect a more robust approach.
  • Depending on the opening and duration, options can include temporary steel doors or steel security screens where appropriate (we’ll advise on what’s suitable for the situation).

Explore relevant property pages:

Will insurance cover boarding up?

It depends on your policy and the circumstances, but boarding up is often considered an emergency “make safe” measure after events like burglary, vandalism, storm damage, fire, or accidental impact.

What helps most is having:

  • A clear description of the incident (and a police reference number if relevant)
  • Photos of damage and the secured result
  • An itemised invoice and statement of works

We can’t guarantee your insurer will reimburse costs, but we can provide the documentation they typically request.

FAQs: Insurance claims and boarding up

Can you deal directly with my insurer?

We can provide documentation you can forward to your insurer or managing agent. We’re not loss adjusters, so we can’t negotiate the claim decision—but we can answer practical questions about what we did and why.

Do I need to call my insurer before you attend?

If it’s safe and practical, yes—especially if your policy has a claims hotline. But if there’s an urgent security risk (for example, a smashed window or open door), securing the property comes first. You can notify the insurer as soon as possible after.

What paperwork will you provide for my claim?

Typically: time-stamped photos (where possible), an itemised invoice, and a statement of works. If there are constraints (unsafe access, unstable frames), we’ll note that clearly.

I’ve had a break-in—what should I do right now?

If you’re in immediate danger, call emergency services. If it’s safe: don’t touch anything, get a crime reference number, take photos, and then arrange to secure property quickly. Our burglary repairs guide explains the usual steps.

Can you board up tonight or out of hours?

We prioritise urgent calls and aim to attend as quickly as possible. We don’t promise fixed arrival times, but if you call we’ll give you a realistic ETA. See 24 hour emergency boarding up in Tonbridge.

Will boarding damage my frames or brickwork?

We use fixing methods appropriate to the material and condition of the opening. If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain the options and risks before proceeding. The priority is a safe and secure temporary solution.

My shopfront is damaged—can you secure it for insurance purposes?

Yes. Shopfronts often need larger panels and careful fixing due to public-facing risk. We can make safe and provide documentation suited to commercial claims. Read more about shopfront boarding in Tonbridge.

Can you secure a property after storm damage even if repairs are delayed?

Yes—temporary boarding is commonly used to keep an opening secure while you arrange longer-term repairs. See storm damage support.

Do you cover my area, or only Tonbridge?

We cover Tonbridge and TN postcodes (TN1–TN40). If you’re unsure, check areas we cover or call us and we’ll confirm.

Need documentation-friendly boarding up for an insurance claim?

If you need to board up a broken window, secure a door after a break-in, or get a shopfront boarded up following damage, we’ll help you stabilise the situation and produce clear documentation for your insurer.

Need help now? Call 01732 900 178 for immediate assistance.
Or email: [email protected]