Boarding Up Insurance Claims in Bracknell
When we board up a property in Bracknell, we also give you the paperwork your insurer is likely to ask for. You get an itemised invoice, time-stamped before and after photographs, and a written statement of the work we did. Your insurer decides what’s covered. Our job is to make the property safe and give you a clear record of how we did it.
If you need boarding now, call 01344 951 955. A person answers the phone 24 hours a day.
What paperwork do insurers need for boarding up?
Every insurer and policy is different, so check with yours first. Most will want to know what was damaged, what was done to make it safe, and what that cost. We provide three documents for this.
An itemised invoice
The invoice lists each part of the job separately. For example:
- the openings we boarded and their rough sizes
- the materials we used, such as exterior-grade plywood or OSB
- the fixing method, including security or anti-tamper fixings if we used them
- any work to secure a damaged door or frame before boarding
- any clearing of broken glass or debris to make the area safe
An itemised invoice shows your insurer exactly what you paid for. A single total with no breakdown gives them less to go on.
Time-stamped before and after photographs
We photograph the openings before we start and again once they’re boarded. Because the photos are time-stamped, they show the condition of the property when we arrived and how we left it.
A written statement of the work done
This is a plain description of the visit. It covers which openings we secured, how we fixed the boards, and anything we noticed that will need a permanent repair. It helps when someone who has never seen the property needs to understand what happened.
Boarding up after a burglary: the insurance steps
After a break-in, the order you do things in matters. This is general, common-sense guidance, not legal advice:
- Report it to the police. Do this before anything else if you can.
- Keep the crime reference number. Your insurer will almost certainly ask for it.
- Contact your insurer. Tell them what happened and ask what they need from you. Some will want to hear from you before any work starts.
- Photograph the damage, but only if it’s safe. Stay away from broken glass, and don’t go into a part of the building that feels unsafe. Our before photographs give you a second record anyway.
- Get the property secured. A forced door or a smashed window leaves the building open, so make it safe.
Our burglary repairs guide explains the practical side in more detail, including securing damaged doors, frames and locks after forced entry.
Property damage photographs: what to take yourself
Your own photos are still useful alongside ours, as long as taking them doesn’t put you at risk. If it’s safe, try to get:
- a wide shot showing where the damage is on the building
- close-ups of broken glass, split frames or damaged locks
- any damage inside, such as water coming through a broken skylight
- anything taken or damaged, if it’s a break-in
Take them before you tidy up, and don’t move debris just to get a better picture. If there’s glass on the ground or part of a roof is damaged, stay clear and leave it to us.
What we can and can’t help with
We’re a boarding-up service, not loss adjusters or legal advisers. That means:
- We can make openings safe, record the work properly, and answer your insurer’s questions about what we did.
- We can’t tell you whether your policy covers the work, negotiate with your insurer for you, or promise how a claim will turn out.
If you’re not sure whether to arrange boarding before your insurer replies, ask them. Many people find the insurer expects the property to be made secure to stop further damage, but that depends on your policy, so check.
How the quote fits into a claim
We give you a free, clear quote on the phone before any work starts. You can pass that to your insurer straight away if they want to see costs first.
The quote depends on the number and size of the openings, the height and access involved, the materials and board thickness, the fixing method, whether a damaged door or frame needs securing first, and any glass or debris to clear. Our pricing page explains each of these factors. Because the quote is agreed before we start, the final invoice matches what was discussed, which keeps things simple for your claim.
Homes, shops and rental properties
The paperwork is the same whatever kind of property it is, but different people tend to need it:
- Householders usually pass it straight to their home insurer.
- Shop and office owners, from Braccan Walk to the offices around Market Street, often need it for a commercial policy, and sometimes for a landlord or managing agent as well.
- Landlords and letting agents may need copies for the insurer, the property owner and the tenant’s file. Just tell us who should receive the documents.
We cover Bracknell, Binfield and the wider area, including Crowthorne, Ascot, Winkfield and Sandhurst, subject to confirming the address on the call.
After the boarding comes the permanent repair
Boarding is a make-safe. It keeps the property secure and weatherproof so you have time to arrange the permanent repair properly, whether that’s new glazing, a replacement door or a roofing repair. Our written statement notes what needs fixing, which can help when your insurer or a repairer looks at the next stage. We don’t replace glass ourselves.
Common questions about boarding and insurance
Will my insurer pay for the boarding? That’s for your insurer to decide under your policy. We give you the documents they’re likely to ask for, but we can’t confirm cover.
Can you send the paperwork straight to my insurer? Tell us where you’d like the documents to go and we’ll send them. Many people prefer to receive them first and forward them on themselves.
Do I need to wait for the insurer before calling you? Not necessarily, but check what your policy expects. If the property is open, getting it secured is often the priority. You can call us at any hour to talk through the job and get a quote.
I can’t get a crime reference number tonight. Can you still board up? Yes. The crime number is between you and the police and insurer. Report the break-in as soon as you can and keep the number with our paperwork.
Talk to us about your property
When you get in touch, please tell us the postcode, the type and size of the openings, and send a few photos if you can take them safely. That helps us discuss access, give you a quote and work out arrival on the call. If it’s urgent, see our 24-hour emergency boarding up page.