Insurance Claims for Boarding Up in Crawley (RH10 & RH11)
If you’re dealing with a break-in, smashed window, storm or fire damage in Crawley, it’s likely your insurer will want the property made safe before they assess repairs. We handle the emergency boarding up and provide the documentation insurers typically ask for—clearly, promptly, and without fuss. We’re local to RH10 and RH11, fully insured, and our technicians are DBS-checked.
This page explains how insurance claims usually work with boarding up, what we provide, and what to do next. If you need help now, please call 01293 699 986. For urgent situations, go straight to emergency boarding up.
How We Support Your Insurance Claim
We’re not loss adjusters and we don’t decide what’s covered—that’s between you and your insurer. What we do is secure your property safely and supply the evidence you need to progress your claim. Typically, you’ll receive:
- Time-stamped before-and-after photos of damage and our temporary works
- A clear, itemised invoice noting cause (as reported), location, and materials used
- A work statement detailing the emergency measures taken to make safe
- If requested, a brief attendance note with arrival/departure times
- Optional contact with your insurer or loss adjuster to confirm scope of emergency works
Insurers usually want the property made safe quickly. Our emergency works focus on “make safe” only. Permanent repairs are often handled later by your insurer’s network or a contractor of your choice.
For what’s included in emergency works, see what boarding up involves and our service pages for window boarding, door boarding, and shopfront boarding.
What to Do After Damage (Step by Step)
- Stay safe. If there’s an active break-in or unsafe structure, call the police or fire service first.
- Take quick photos (if safe) showing the damage from inside and out.
- Call us on 01293 699 986 to arrange emergency boarding up.
- Note key details for insurance: time/date discovered, suspected cause, police incident number (if applicable).
- Contact your insurer as soon as you can. Tell them emergency make-safe works are required.
- Keep any crime reference or incident numbers to share with us and your insurer.
- Save receipts and documentation—we’ll provide an itemised invoice and photo record.
If you’re unsure what to say to your insurer, tell them you’re arranging emergency “make safe” boarding up. Many policies expect quick action to secure the property and prevent further loss.
What We Do on Attendance
- Assess the opening(s) and any structural risks
- Agree and explain the emergency scope before starting
- Cut and fit boards (typically 18mm exterior-grade plywood; 12mm OSB for smaller internal panels where appropriate)
- Use anti-tamper fixings and, where required, internal baton systems to avoid further frame damage
- Install temporary steel doors or security screens if the door is beyond basic boarding or the property will be vacant for a period
- Weatherproof external openings where possible
- Photograph works and issue documentation
Why these methods? Anti-tamper fixings prevent removal from outside—important if the property will be unattended. Exterior-grade materials resist moisture. Internal bracing spreads load without over-stressing damaged frames.
For more detail on methods and materials, see services and our FAQs.
Evidence Insurers Typically Expect
While every policy is different, most insurers will accept:
- Itemised emergency make-safe invoice with address, date, and works description
- Photos of the damage and temporary works
- Confirmation of cause (as reported) such as burglary, vandalism, storm, fire, flood, or accidental impact
- Police incident or crime reference number for theft/vandalism cases
- If commercial, risk assessment/method statement (RAMS) when requested in advance
We can send documents directly to you, your broker, or adjuster. If your insurer needs specific wording, let us know before we issue the invoice, and we’ll include it where accurate.
Situations Covered Under Insurance (Common Cases)
Policies vary, but we’re regularly called for:
- Burglary/break-in: forced entries, snapped locks, pried doors, smashed glass
See: post-burglary repairs - Vandalism: smashed shopfronts, repeated glass breakage
See: vandalism repair - Storm damage: wind-thrown debris, fallen branches, dislodged glazing
See: storm damage - Fire damage: blown-out windows from heat/pressure, fire service access points
See: fire damage - Flood damage: swollen frames, compromised openings needing temporary security
See: flood damage - Accidental impact: vehicle strikes, warehouse forklift impacts, sports-related breakage
See: accident damage
We secure properties across residential, commercial, and vacant sites. Learn more on our property types pages, including residential, commercial, and vacant property.
Costs, Excesses, and Payment
- We’re transparent about cost factors but don’t quote fixed prices online because every job differs by size, access, time of call (out of hours), and materials needed.
- Many customers pay us directly and reclaim from their insurer. Others have authorisation from their insurer to invoice them instead. We’re happy to discuss what’s typical for your situation.
- Your policy excess may apply. If your excess is higher than our emergency fee, you might choose to self-fund and skip a claim—only your insurer can advise on implications.
- For cost guidance, see our pricing page. We’ll give a realistic estimate on the phone once we know the details.
We can take payment by standard methods. Itemised invoices are issued promptly. If your insurer requires a purchase order or reference, please tell us before attendance where possible.
Documentation You’ll Receive
After we’ve made the property safe, you can expect:
- PDF invoice with itemised materials and labour
- Time-stamped photo pack (damage and finished boarding)
- Short written work statement explaining the emergency measures
- If agreed, RAMS for commercial sites (typically supplied when booked during business hours)
- On request, attendance confirmation for your records
Keep all documentation together with any police/incident references and your policy number. This helps your claim proceed smoothly.
Limitations and What We Don’t Do
- We can’t confirm insurance coverage or advise on policy terms—please speak to your insurer or broker.
- We don’t provide loss adjusting or legal advice.
- We don’t guarantee specific attendance times; workload and conditions vary. We prioritise urgent calls and will give a realistic ETA when you ring.
- We secure and make safe after fire, but smoke/odour remediation is outside our scope.
For urgent attendance, visit 24/7 emergency boarding up in Crawley.
Frequently Asked Questions: Insurance and Boarding Up in Crawley
Will my insurer cover emergency boarding up in Crawley?
Many policies do cover emergency “make safe” after events like burglary, vandalism or storm damage. Coverage depends on your policy and excess—please check with your insurer. We’ll provide an itemised invoice and photos to support your claim.
Can you invoice my insurer directly?
Sometimes, yes—if your insurer or adjuster confirms authorisation in advance. Otherwise, most customers pay us and reclaim. Tell us how your insurer prefers to handle it when you call.
What documents do you provide for claims?
You’ll get an itemised invoice, time-stamped photos, and a short work statement. For commercial jobs booked in hours, we can supply RAMS on request. We can also add your claim or incident reference to our paperwork.
Do I need a crime reference number in RH10 or RH11?
If the damage relates to burglary or vandalism in RH10 or RH11, most insurers will ask for a police reference. Call 101 (or 999 in an emergency) to report, then share the reference with us and your insurer.
How fast can you attend my property in Crawley?
We prioritise urgent calls and aim to attend as quickly as possible. Exact times vary by time of day and workload. Call 01293 699 986 for a realistic ETA.
Will boarding up affect my claim approval?
Boarding up is typically considered necessary to prevent further damage and keep the property secure. Insurers expect you to “mitigate loss.” We document everything so you can show the emergency works were appropriate.
Can you help with shopfront insurance claims in Crawley Town Centre?
Yes. We regularly secure commercial shopfronts out of hours and provide photo evidence and itemised invoices. See shopfront boarding and our commercial page.
What if my frame is too damaged for simple boarding?
We’ll explain options on site—this may include internal baton systems, temporary steel doors, or security screens for voids. We’ll only proceed with your agreement and document why the chosen method was required.
Our Local Coverage
We cover the whole of Crawley and surrounding RH10 and RH11 postcodes—homes, shops, offices, and industrial units. From Three Bridges and Maidenbower to Ifield, Broadfield and Manor Royal, we secure properties day and night. For area-specific guidance, see areas we cover.
Next Steps
- Need urgent help? Call 01293 699 986 for immediate assistance.
- Prefer to plan or have claim questions? Email us with your policy and incident details, and we’ll outline what we can provide.
We’re here to help you secure your property quickly and keep your claim moving with clear documentation.