Boarding Up Insurance Claims in Epsom
If you’re claiming on your insurance after a break-in, fire or storm, the boarding-up is often the first cost on the file. Boarding Up Epsom provides three documents your insurer can review: 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 your property safe and give you clear records of that work.
This page explains what we provide, what you’ll usually need to do yourself, and how to keep the paperwork straight while the property is boarded.
What paperwork insurers usually ask for after boarding up
Every insurer and policy is different, so check with yours. For emergency make-safe work, they generally want to know what was damaged, what was done about it and what it cost. We cover those three points with:
An itemised invoice
Your invoice lists the work in parts, not as one lump sum. Depending on the job, it covers:
- each opening boarded and its approximate size
- the materials used, such as exterior-grade plywood (typically 18mm) or OSB for smaller openings
- the fixing method, including any security or anti-tamper fixings
- any work to secure a damaged door, frame or lock before boarding
- clearing loose glass or debris to make the area safe
- any access the job needed, such as upper-floor windows, roofs or skylights
An itemised invoice lets your insurer see what each part of the work was. It’s also easier to match against your claim form.
Time-stamped before and after photographs
We photograph the damaged openings when we arrive and again once they’re boarded. The time stamps show the state of the property before and after we worked. These photos support your own records. They don’t replace any photos your insurer asks you to take.
A written statement of the work done
This is a plain account of the visit. It records what we found, what we secured, how we fixed the boards and anything we noticed that needs a permanent repair. If a frame was too damaged to take fixings in the usual way, the statement says so and explains what we agreed with you on site.
Boarding up after a burglary: insurance steps
After a break-in, the order you do things in matters. As a general guide:
- Report it to the police and keep the crime reference number. Insurers usually ask for it.
- Contact your insurer to report the claim and ask what they need from you.
- Photograph the damage if it’s safe to do so. Stay clear of broken glass and don’t force a damaged door to get a better picture.
- Get the openings made safe so the property is secure while the claim progresses.
Steps 1 and 2 are for you to do, and we can’t do them for you. We can board the property while you deal with the police and your insurer. Our burglary repairs guide covers the first few hours after a break-in in more detail. If the door was forced, our door boarding and securing service explains how we deal with damaged frames and locks.
Property damage photographs: taking your own safely
Your photos and ours do different jobs, so take your own if you can. A few pointers:
- Take wide shots first to show which window, door or shopfront is affected, then close-ups of the damage.
- Keep your phone’s date and time settings switched on.
- Photograph from a safe distance. Don’t lean over broken glass, climb a ladder or go onto a roof.
- After a fire, wait until the fire service hands the site back. Don’t go inside to take pictures before then.
- After a storm, photograph roof or skylight damage from ground level or from inside a safe room. Don’t go up for a closer look.
If you can safely send us a couple of these when you call, they help us understand the openings and access before we arrive.
Business premises, landlords and agents
For shops, offices, restaurants and other commercial premises, the same paperwork applies. It goes to the business’s insurer or the managing agent instead. Many shopfronts in Epsom town centre, along the High Street, Waterloo Road and South Street, sit within the conservation area. Some buildings there are listed. On older frames like these, we use non-destructive fixing where the frame allows. The written statement records how the boards were fixed, which can help when the permanent repairer or your insurer looks at the property later. Our shopfront and commercial boarding page explains the method in more detail.
Landlords and letting agents often need the paperwork sent to more than one person. Tell us on the call who should receive the invoice, photos and statement, and we’ll address the documents correctly.
What we don’t do
We’re a boarding-up service. We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisers. We can’t tell you whether a claim will succeed, negotiate with your insurer or interpret your policy wording. We aren’t on any insurer’s approved list, and we won’t claim to be. What we can do is board up your property properly and give you clear, accurate records of it.
From boarding to permanent repair
Boarding is a make-safe. It keeps the weather and intruders out while your insurer reviews the claim and you arrange the glazier, joiner or roofer for the permanent repair. Our written statement notes which openings need that follow-on work, which helps when you get quotes.
Getting a quote before work starts
We give you the quote on the phone, free and clear, before any work starts, so you know the cost of the make-safe before you tell your insurer. The quote depends on:
- the number and size of the openings
- height and access, including upper floors, roofs and skylights
- the materials and board thickness
- the fixing method
- whether a damaged door or frame needs securing first
- any glass or debris to make safe
Our pricing page explains each of these factors.
Talk to us about boarding and insurance paperwork
A person answers our phone 24 hours a day, including nights, weekends and bank holidays. When you call, have ready:
- your postcode, so we can work out arrival time and access
- the type and size of each damaged opening
- your crime reference number, if it was a break-in
- who should receive the paperwork
- a few safe photographs, if you have them
Call 01372 656234 or Email us to discuss the work and get a free quote.