Scratch & Patch
UK pet insurer with straightforward Lifetime and time-limited policies. Evidence is being verified.
Not yet researched11 of 11 comparison topics researchedReviewed 9 July 2026
At a glance
- Vet-fee limit
- Product-specific. Premier Plus Lifetime up to £8,000 each policy year; Premier Lifetime up to £4,000 each policy year; Prime Lifetime up to £2,500 each policy year; Gold Maximum Benefit up to £4,000 per injury/illness; Silver Time Limited up to £3,000 per injury/illness for a maximum of 12 months; Bronze Accident Only up to £2,250 per accident/injury for a maximum of 12 months
- Excess and co-payment
- Excess: Compulsory excess is £125 for dogs under 8 and cats under 10; £275 for dogs over 8 and cats over 10. It applies to each separate illness or injury, per policy year · Co-payment: Optional co-payment / voluntary excess choice of 0% or 20% across all cover levels. Scratch & Patch describes co-payment as a percentage contribution selected at purchase or renewal that applies on every claim after other deductions
- Waiting periods
- 14-day waiting period for new illnesses; no waiting period for accidents or injuries. If a customer switches from another insurer and can evidence continuous prior cover, Scratch & Patch says it will not enforce the 14-day illness waiting period
- Pre-existing conditions
- Not covered across all current cover levels. Pre-existing conditions are defined broadly to include prior clinical signs, investigation, diagnosis, related conditions, or anything otherwise known before inception or before a cover increase
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Things to check before choosing
What you may pay
ExcessCompulsory excess is £125 for dogs under 8 and cats under 10; £275 for dogs over 8 and cats over 10. It applies to each separate illness or injury, per policy year
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- Details
- Compulsory excess is £125 for dogs under 8 and cats under 10; £275 for dogs over 8 and cats over 10. It applies to each separate illness or injury, per policy year
“An excess is a compulsory contribution you are required to pay... and applies to each separate illness or injury (condition), per policy year.”
Official source: Scratch & Patch Policies Compared | April 2025; Our Plans · reviewed 2026-07-09
Compare all insurersCo-paymentOptional co-payment / voluntary excess choice of 0% or 20% across all cover levels. Scratch & Patch describes co-payment as a percentage contribution selected at purchase or renewal that applies on every claim after other deductions
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- Details
- Optional co-payment / voluntary excess choice of 0% or 20% across all cover levels. Scratch & Patch describes co-payment as a percentage contribution selected at purchase or renewal that applies on every claim after other deductions
“A co-payment is what you have chosen to include... It is applicable to every claim you make and is calculated as a percentage... of your claim after other deductions.”
Official source: Scratch & Patch Policies Compared | April 2025; Our Plans · reviewed 2026-07-09
Compare all insurersWhat the policy may limit
Vet Fee LimitsProduct-specific. Premier Plus Lifetime up to £8,000 each policy year; Premier Lifetime up to £4,000 each policy year; Prime Lifetime up to £2,500 each policy year; Gold Maximum Benefit up to £4,000 per injury/illness; Silver Time Limited up to £3,000 per injury/illness for a maximum of 12 months; Bronze Accident Only up to £2,250 per accident/injury for a maximum of 12 months
Being checked
- Details
- Product-specific. Premier Plus Lifetime up to £8,000 each policy year; Premier Lifetime up to £4,000 each policy year; Prime Lifetime up to £2,500 each policy year; Gold Maximum Benefit up to £4,000 per injury/illness; Silver Time Limited up to £3,000 per injury/illness for a maximum of 12 months; Bronze Accident Only up to £2,250 per accident/injury for a maximum of 12 months
“Vet fee limit *Inner limits may apply.”
Official source: Scratch & Patch Policies Compared | April 2025; Prime Cover IPID; Premier Plus Cover IPID · reviewed 2026-07-09
Compare all insurersDental CoverAccident/injury-related dental treatment only. Dental illness is excluded across all cover levels
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- Accident/injury-related dental treatment only. Dental illness is excluded across all cover levels
“We do not provide cover for the cost of dental or gum treatment which is not directly resulting from an accident or injury.”
Official source: Our Plans; Scratch & Patch Policies Compared | April 2025; Prime and Premier Plus IPIDs · reviewed 2026-07-09
Compare all insurersBehavioural TreatmentCovered on lifetime products only; excluded on Gold Maximum Benefit, Silver Time Limited, and Bronze Accident Only
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- Covered on lifetime products only; excluded on Gold Maximum Benefit, Silver Time Limited, and Bronze Accident Only
“Treating a change to your pet’s normal behaviour that is caused by a mental or emotional disorder which could not have been prevented by training and / or spaying / castration.”
Official source: Scratch & Patch Policies Compared | April 2025 · reviewed 2026-07-09
Compare all insurersWhen and how cover applies
Waiting Periods14-day waiting period for new illnesses; no waiting period for accidents or injuries. If a customer switches from another insurer and can evidence continuous prior cover, Scratch & Patch says it will not enforce the 14-day illness waiting period
Being checked
- Details
- 14-day waiting period for new illnesses; no waiting period for accidents or injuries. If a customer switches from another insurer and can evidence continuous prior cover, Scratch & Patch says it will not enforce the 14-day illness waiting period
“Any new illnesses starting within the first 14 days of your policy are not covered... We don’t have a waiting period for accidents or injuries.”
Official source: Our Plans; Scratch & Patch Pet Insurance policy document · reviewed 2026-07-09
Compare all insurersPre-existing ConditionsNot covered across all current cover levels. Pre-existing conditions are defined broadly to include prior clinical signs, investigation, diagnosis, related conditions, or anything otherwise known before inception or before a cover increase
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- Details
- Not covered across all current cover levels. Pre-existing conditions are defined broadly to include prior clinical signs, investigation, diagnosis, related conditions, or anything otherwise known before inception or before a cover increase
“Our current policies and cover levels (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Prime, Premier and Premier Plus) do not cover pre-existing medical conditions.”
Official source: Our Plans; Scratch & Patch Pet Insurance policy document · reviewed 2026-07-09
Compare all insurersClaimsOnline claims are presented as the quickest and easiest route. Manual claims are also supported by email request, and the form must be signed by the customer and vet, stamped by the practice, and include medical history and supporting documents. Scratch & Patch says it updates customers by email during the claim
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- Online claims are presented as the quickest and easiest route. Manual claims are also supported by email request, and the form must be signed by the customer and vet, stamped by the practice, and include medical history and supporting documents. Scratch & Patch says it updates customers by email during the claim
“The quickest and easiest way to submit your claim is by using our online claims system.”
Official source: Make a Claim; claims FAQ pages · reviewed 2026-07-09
Compare all insurersRenewalsLifetime products reset their annual cover each policy year if the policy continues. Treatment costs after the period of insurance are not covered unless Scratch & Patch agrees to continue the policy. Not published in official documents reviewed for a fuller public auto-renewal process explanation
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- Lifetime products reset their annual cover each policy year if the policy continues. Treatment costs after the period of insurance are not covered unless Scratch & Patch agrees to continue the policy. Not published in official documents reviewed for a fuller public auto-renewal process explanation
“Enjoy full coverage every year—your cover limit resets annually for all included conditions.”
Official source: Our Plans; Prime and Premier Plus IPIDs · reviewed 2026-07-09
Compare all insurersProvider Features24/7 vet careline. 10% multi-pet discount. Cover in UK / EU PETS scheme area for UK residents. Loss and recovery, emergency boarding, holiday cancellation, accidental damage, and third-party liability features on relevant products. Customer portal and digital claims support
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- 24/7 vet careline. 10% multi-pet discount. Cover in UK / EU PETS scheme area for UK residents. Loss and recovery, emergency boarding, holiday cancellation, accidental damage, and third-party liability features on relevant products. Customer portal and digital claims support
Not published in official documents reviewed
Official source: Not published in official documents reviewed · reviewed 2026-07-09
Compare all insurersPolicy change history
- Knowledge Platform updated2026-07-01
Framework updated to v1.4 — Evidence Layer expanded across every Knowledge Product.
- Guide refreshed2026-06-15
Claims and Pre-existing Conditions explainers updated with clearer plain-English wording.
Official information
Underwriter / administrator: Stonebridge International Insurance Ltd via Only Pets Cover Ltd
Knowledge Platform v1.4 · checked 2026-07-09. Every answer records the official information it came from, and many link straight to the insurer's own page or document. Where an answer names a document but we have not yet linked it, we say so on the answer instead of implying a direct link.