How to claim for a broken window on your insurance

By Glazing London, 3 November 2026

Insurance · Guide

By Glazing London, 24/7 emergency glaziers Published 3 November 2026 6 min read

On this page

Quick answer
Whose insurance pays?
What is usually covered, and what isn't
Is it worth claiming?
The paperwork insurers want
If your claim is refused
FAQs

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Quick answer

Glass broken by a break-in, vandalism, a storm or an impact is usually claimable, normally on buildings insurance, because windows and doors are part of the building. Get a crime reference number if it was a crime, photograph everything before it is moved, make the property safe, keep every invoice, then call your insurer. Misted units and worn-out frames are wear and tear, and not normally covered.

If it has only just happened, start with our first-hour checklist after a break-in. This guide picks up from there: who pays, what is covered, and how to get the claim through.

Whose insurance pays?

Glass in windows and doors is part of the building, so the first question is who insures the building. In London that is often not the person who lives there.

Homeowner: your buildings insurance covers windows, doors, fixed glass and skylights. Your contents policy may cover glass in furniture and mirrors, depending on the wording.
Leaseholder in a flat: usually the block's buildings policy, arranged by the freeholder or managing agent. Your lease says who is responsible for which windows. Report it to the managing agent the same day.
Tenant: usually the landlord's policy. Tell your landlord or letting agent straight away, in writing. Damage you cause yourself can be treated differently, so check your tenancy agreement.
Shop or business: shopfronts are often covered by a commercial property policy or specialist glass cover. Loss of trading while you are boarded up is only covered if your policy includes business interruption. See shopfront glazing.

What is usually covered, and what isn't

Every policy is worded differently, so treat this as a guide to what to look for in yours, not a promise of what it says.

Usually covered: break-ins and attempted break-ins.
Usually covered: vandalism and malicious damage by outsiders.
Usually covered: storm damage, wind-blown debris and impacts such as falling branches.
Covered only with accidental damage cover or a glass section: breakage you caused by accident.

Often excluded:

Misted or failed double glazed units. A failed seal is wear and tear; see misted double glazing repair.
Rotten, warped or worn-out frames.
Damage while the property has been empty for longer than the policy allows.
Damage by tenants, lodgers or guests, under some policies.

Is it worth claiming?

Compare the repair price with your excess before you claim. A claim can also affect your premium or no-claims discount, depending on your insurer. Typical London ranges from our glazier cost guide:

Single pane replaced: £90-£180
Emergency glazing out of hours: £180-£400
Boarding up, per opening: £120-£250
Toughened shopfront pane: £350-£900+

If your excess is close to the repair price, paying directly is often simpler. Report a crime to the police either way: the crime reference matters if more damage turns up later. A large shopfront pane, or several windows from one break-in, is where a claim usually earns its keep.

Make-safe and the permanent repair are two different jobs. Insurers generally accept that you cannot wait for approval to stop rain and intruders getting in; the permanent repair is where they may want a say. Ask before you book it.

The paperwork insurers want

A claims handler should be able to read your glazier's paperwork without phoning anyone. A good report and invoice include:

The date and time of attendance, and the property address.
The cause, as observed on site: forced entry, impact or storm debris.
Each pane's size and glass spec, for example 4mm float, 6.4mm laminated or a 28mm double glazed unit.
Make-safe work and the permanent repair shown as separate lines.
Time-stamped photos of the damage, the making-safe and the finished repair.
An itemised VAT invoice.

Whoever does the work, the replacement has to meet current Building Regulations: glass in and around doors and in low-level panes must be toughened or laminated, even if the old pane was not, and replacing a whole window or door frame needs a FENSA certificate. Every emergency glazing job from us comes with photos, a written damage report and an itemised VAT invoice, and on request we deal with your insurer, landlord or managing agent directly.

If your claim is refused

Ask the insurer to put the reason in writing and to name the policy clause it relies on, then check that clause against what happened. If you disagree, make a formal complaint to the insurer. If you are still unhappy with their final response, or have not had one within eight weeks, you can take it to the Financial Ombudsman Service, which is free to use.

Glass broken tonight?

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Call 07915 903485 Emergency glazing →

What to do after a break-in

The first-hour checklist: police, photos, making safe.

Emergency boarding up in London

Professional make-safe for homes, landlords and shopfronts, day or night.

How much does a glazier cost in London?

Typical London prices for panes, sealed units, boarding up and emergency work.

Glass insurance claims, answered

Does home insurance cover a broken window?

Usually, if the glass was broken by a break-in, vandalism, a storm or an impact. Windows and doors are part of the building, so it is normally a buildings insurance claim. Accidental breakage is often only covered if you have accidental damage cover or a glass section in your policy. Misted units and worn-out frames count as wear and tear and are not normally covered.

Can I get the window made safe before my insurer agrees the claim?

Most policies expect you to take reasonable steps to stop further damage, so emergency boarding up or temporary glazing can normally go ahead straight away. Keep the invoice and photos, and check with your insurer before arranging the permanent repair, because some insurers use their own repairers or want to approve the quote first.

Is misted double glazing covered by insurance?

Not normally. A misted unit means the seal has failed with age, which insurers treat as wear and tear. It may still be under the installer's guarantee, and replacing just the sealed unit is usually far cheaper than a new window.

I rent my flat. Whose insurance pays for a broken window?

Usually the landlord's buildings insurance, because the windows are part of the building. Tell your landlord or letting agent straight away, in writing. Your own contents policy covers your belongings, and damage you cause yourself can be treated differently, so check your tenancy agreement.

Will Glazing London deal with my insurer?

Yes. We photograph the damage before and after, provide a written damage report and an itemised VAT invoice, and can liaise with your insurer, landlord or managing agent directly on request. Call 07915 903485, 24/7.