Why are deductions applied to medications?
Pet insurance providers have a duty to protect their policyholders from premium increases that would otherwise become unsustainable by including condition limits and caps on variable charges. The costs vets can charge for items such as medication can vary significantly from one practice to the next, as there is no current regulation of these charges. […]
What should I do if my pet passes away?
Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is never easy, but if the worst should happen, Scratch & Patch is here to support you. Whilst insurance may understandably be the last thing on your mind, there are a few things to consider.
What is a continuation claim?
If your pet has ongoing treatment for an illness or injury, this may occur over a period of time. Each time any further treatment or medication is provided, you have the ability to submit a secondary claim for that condition – also known as ‘continuation of treatment’ or a ‘continuation claim’. This means that subsequent […]
What is a pre-existing condition?
A pre-existing condition is any injury or illness that: Happened or first showed clinical signs, Has been identified or investigated by a vet, Has the same diagnosis or clinical signs as an injury, illness, or clinical sign your pet had, Is caused by, relates to, or results from, an injury, illness, or clinical sign your […]
What is a Co-payment?
Alongside paying the compulsory excess on your policy, an additional co-payment is an amount you’re willing to pay towards the cost of a claim. For example, let’s say you have a policy with a £125 compulsory excess alongside a 20% co-payment and you are submitting a claim for a £1,000 vet bill. You would pay […]
What is a claim excess and how does it work when I make a claim?
A compulsory excess is the amount you have to pay towards the cost of your pet’s treatment you are claiming for. This applies to each separate injury or illness you are claiming for. Excesses are applied once per condition, per policy year. Therefore, if you submit further claims for the treatment your pet receives resulting […]
What information do I need to know before I can claim?
The easiest and most efficient way to submit your claim is online here. Please ensure you have the following documentation and information to hand: You will be asked a series of questions to help us establish what has happened, however if any further information is required, we will contact you or your vet directly. Your […]
What happens if my claim amount is below my excess?
If the amount you are claiming is lower than your policy excess (and co-payment, if you have chosen this as part of your policy), we can still process your claim, but we will not be able to make a payment. However, the cost of the first treatment and/or submitted claim, less any applicable deductions (such […]
What documentation do I need to provide for Illness or Injury claims?
The required documentation and information needed to support a claim for either illness or injury will be: Your policy number and Policy Schedule. The full medical history for first claims. An up to date medical history for continuation claims. A fully itemised invoice for each treatment. Full name and address for any treating vets. Details […]
What are my options if my claim is rejected/declined?
We accepted 94% of claims in 2023, so it is rare that a claim will be rejected but, like any insurer, it does happen. If your claim is rejected you will be told the reason for this. If you do not agree with the decision and can provide further evidence to support your claim, we […]