Insurance Claims Support for Boarding Up in Luton (LU1–LU7)

If you’ve had a break-in, vandalism, storm damage or an accident and you’re now dealing with insurance, it can feel like you’re doing two stressful jobs at once: keeping the property secure and proving what happened. We help by making the site safe and providing the kind of clear documentation insurers typically ask for—without making promises we can’t keep.

For urgent help, including out of hours call-outs, use our emergency line: Call 01582 377 256.

We work across Luton and the wider LU area (LU1–LU7) and can attend residential and commercial sites where windows, doors or shopfront glazing needs temporary protection.

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

We’re boarding-up specialists, not loss adjusters or legal advisers. That matters, because honest expectations make the whole process smoother.

What we can do

• Make the property safe and secure after damage (broken glazing, forced doors, exposed shopfronts, vulnerable roof openings).
• Reduce further loss by sealing openings and limiting access—often a key part of “reasonable steps” after an incident.
• Provide documentation that helps you submit your claim and answer insurer questions.
• Work with you, your landlord, managing agent or facilities team to arrange access and record what’s been done.

What we can’t do

• Approve claims, confirm policy cover, or negotiate with insurers on your behalf.
• Provide structural sign-off if the building is unsafe (we can secure openings, but structural assessment is for a building professional).
• Carry out specialist restoration work (for example, smoke/odour remediation after a fire is outside our scope—we secure the property and help you protect it from further damage).

If you’re unsure what your insurer needs, call us and we’ll explain what we can supply based on the damage and the type of boarding required.

Why insurers often expect boarding up (and why it helps your claim)

After an incident, many policies require you to take reasonable steps to prevent additional damage or unauthorised access. A smashed window, a kicked-in door, or a broken shopfront panel can quickly turn into a bigger loss—weather ingress, theft, or further vandalism.

By arranging temporary boarding quickly, you can:

• protect the property while repairs are organised,
• reduce the chance of repeat incidents,
• demonstrate that you acted responsibly after the event.

If you need urgent attendance, visit our emergency boarding up page or Call 01582 377 256.

What we provide for your claim (documentation and proof of works)

Different insurers ask for different things, but most claim handlers want a clear record of:

1. what happened,
2. what was damaged, and
3. what immediate steps were taken.

When we board up in Luton and the LU postcodes, we can typically provide:

• Itemised invoice (what was done, materials used, labour and call-out where applicable).
• Work statement / description of temporary works (e.g., window boarded using exterior-grade board with anti-tamper fixings).
• Time-stamped photos (before/after where possible and safe).
• Notes on access and constraints (for example, if frames are too damaged for non-destructive fixing, we’ll explain options before proceeding).
• Materials details where relevant (commonly 18mm exterior-grade plywood for security and weather resistance; 12mm OSB may be used for smaller/low-risk openings depending on circumstances).

If you’re coordinating multiple trades (glazier, locksmith, door engineer), our records can help show that the property was secured while permanent repairs were arranged.

The insurance-friendly boarding up process (what to expect)

People often call us when they’re shaken up, tired, and trying to keep things together. We keep the process straightforward.

1. Call and explain what’s happened
   Tell us what’s damaged (window, door, shopfront, roof/skylight) and whether the property is occupied or vacant.
   Need urgent help? Call 01582 377 256.

2. We give a realistic ETA
   We don’t promise fixed arrival times—traffic, access, and live emergencies vary—but we prioritise urgent calls and will tell you what’s realistic on the phone.

3. Make safe on arrival
   We assess the opening, the surrounding frame, and any immediate hazards (loose glass, unsafe door leaf, exposed edges). If there’s a safer way to secure it, we’ll recommend it.

4. Secure using the right method

   • For windows, this is often boarding fixed securely to the surrounding structure.
   • For doors with severe damage, a temporary steel door may be a better option than timber boarding in some cases (especially for longer-term security).
   • For commercial glazing, we focus on strong fixing, clean lines, and practical access for staff if the premises must reopen.

   Related services: window boarding in Luton and door boarding in Luton.

5. Provide paperwork and photos
   You receive an invoice and supporting details suitable for your insurer. If you tell us it’s for a claim, we’ll make sure the description is clear and complete.

Common claim scenarios we see across Luton and LU postcodes

We regularly help customers after:

• Burglary / attempted break-ins (forced doors, smashed rear windows, side access points). See: burglary repairs and boarding.
• Vandalism (smashed panes, repeated damage on unattended properties). See: vandalism repair boarding.
• Storm damage (blown-in panes, debris impact, damaged rooflights). See: storm damage boarding.
• Accidental impact (vehicle bumps, dropped objects, internal breakage that leaves an external opening). See: accident damage boarding.

In each case, the priority is the same: secure property, document the temporary work, and help you move towards a permanent repair.

What you should do right now (to protect your claim)

If your property has been damaged and you’re planning to claim, these steps usually help:

1. If a crime has occurred, call the police first
   Get a crime reference number if applicable. Don’t touch anything unnecessarily.

2. Take photos if it’s safe
   Wide shots and close-ups help. Focus on the broken area, any tool marks, and the surrounding frame. Don’t put yourself at risk near glass.

3. Call your insurer as early as you can
   Ask what they want you to do about emergency securing and whether they require an approved contractor. (If you’re unsure, we can explain what we’ll provide and you can confirm with the insurer.)

4. Arrange boarding up to prevent further loss
   A boarded opening reduces the chance of weather ingress and opportunistic entry. For urgent attendance: emergency boarding up.

5. Keep all documentation together
   Save emails, reference numbers, photos, invoices, and any notes about times/dates.

If you’re a landlord or managing agent, you can also arrange boarding while the tenant and insurer handle the wider claim—just ensure access is agreed and you have the right contact details on file.

Will my insurance cover boarding up?

It depends on your policy and the circumstances. Many policies cover emergency works after insured events (like burglary or storm damage), but exclusions and excesses vary widely.

What we can do is provide:

• a clear invoice,
• a description of the temporary security work,
• time-stamped images where possible,

so you have what you need to submit the costs to your insurer.

If you want to understand likely cost drivers before you commit, see our guidance on boarding up pricing (we avoid fixed prices because openings and access vary too much).

Can you bill the insurer directly?

Usually, we bill the customer (property owner/tenant/agent) and you then submit to your insurer—this keeps things simple and avoids delays. In some managed or commercial situations, billing arrangements can differ, but we’ll confirm this before work begins.

If you’re handling a claim through a managing agent or facilities management team, tell us at the start so we can issue invoices with the correct site and reference details.

Choosing the right temporary security option (for claim and safety)

Not all “boarding up” is the same. The right choice depends on risk, duration, and the type of opening.

• Plywood boarding (often 18mm exterior-grade)
  Strong, reliable, good for ground-floor windows and doors when properly fixed.

• OSB boarding (often 12mm for smaller openings)
  Can be appropriate for lower-risk or smaller apertures, but we’ll recommend what’s sensible based on the site.

• Anti-tamper fixings
  Important when a property may be left unattended—helps prevent removal from outside.

• Temporary steel doors
  Better when a doorway has been forced and the property needs secure access for days/weeks rather than hours. Learn more about door boarding in Luton.

• Security screens (for longer-term void protection)
  Sometimes used on vacant properties or repeat-target locations. For vacancy considerations, see vacant property boarding.

If you tell us the insurer’s requirements (or what they’ve asked you to provide), we’ll take that into account when choosing a method.

FAQs: Insurance claims and boarding up in Luton

Do you provide photos suitable for insurance?

Yes—where safe and practical, we can provide time-stamped photos showing the damaged opening and the secured result. Tell us at the start that the job is for an insurance claim.

I need to board up a broken window tonight. Is that possible?

If you need to board up a broken window out of hours, call us and we’ll prioritise urgent calls across LU1–LU7. We can’t guarantee fixed arrival times, but we’ll give a realistic ETA on the phone. For urgent help: 24/7 emergency boarding up.

Will boarding up affect my insurer’s decision?

Boarding up generally shows you took reasonable steps to make safe and prevent further damage. The insurer decides cover, but securing the property is usually the sensible next step after a smashed window or forced door.

Can you board up a door as well as windows after a break-in?

Yes. Many burglary incidents involve both. We can board up a door temporarily or discuss stronger temporary security where appropriate. See burglary repairs and boarding and door boarding in Luton.

What details should I give you for the invoice?

If it’s an insurance claim, it helps to provide:

• the policyholder name (if different from the site contact),
• site address and postcode,
• claim or reference number (if you have one),
• a brief description of the incident (burglary, vandalism, storm, impact).

Can you secure commercial premises and provide documentation for facilities teams?

Yes. We regularly help shops, offices and managed sites with temporary boarding and clear paperwork. If you need a shopfront boarded up, we can also document access arrangements and the temporary security method used. See shopfront boarding and commercial boarding up.

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

We’ll assess on arrival. If the frame is too compromised for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain options before proceeding—this might mean fixing to stronger surrounding structure or recommending a different temporary solution.

Do you cover all of Luton and surrounding LU areas?

Yes—our focus is Luton and the LU postcodes. If you’re unsure whether your location is covered, check areas we cover or call 01582 377 256.

Need boarding up paperwork for an insurance claim?

If your window is smashed, a door has been forced, or you need to secure property after an incident, we can help you make the site safe and provide insurer-friendly documentation.

Need help now? Call 01582 377 256 or email us.