Difference between a retainer and pet insurance

The arrival of a dog or cat at home is always a joyful occasion. A new member of the family! However, having a pet involves looking after their well-being and health. To do that, there are two options: pay a veterinary retainer or take out The arrival of a dog or cat at home is always a joyful occasion. A new member of the family! However, having a pet involves looking after their well-being and health. To do that, there are two options: pay a veterinary retainer or take out The arrival of a dog or cat at home is always a joyful occasion. A new member of the family! However, having a pet involves looking after their well-being and health. To do that, there are two options: pay a veterinary retainer or take out 

The arrival of a dog or cat at home is always a joyful occasion. A new member of the family! However, having a pet involves looking after their well-being and health. To do that, there are two options: pay a veterinary retainer or take out pet insurance. 

If you are unfamiliar with these, we explain the differences between the two options in this guide. This way, you can choose whichever one best suits your needs and those of your dog or cat. Keep reading!

What is a retainer and what does it cover?

Conditions

A retainer, or health plan, is a service that some veterinary clinics offer. And it consists of paying regular or annual fees that allow you to access veterinary services such as:

• Nutritional advice.
• Ordinary consultations (not including treatments).
• Nail cutting.
• Wound treatment (with and without a dressing).
• Internal deworming.
• Stool culture.
• Check-ups.
• Leishmania test.
• Vaccinations (generally, rabies vaccine and polyvalent vaccine).

Benefits

A retainer also allows you to enjoy discounts on other services and treatments such as blood tests, surgeries, ultrasounds, sterilisations, endoscopies, medication, other vaccines, x-rays, emergencies, etc.

The prices, services, treatments and discounts vary from one veterinary clinic to another. That’s why it is a good idea to find out about different medical retainers and compare them before starting to pay for a health plan for your pet.

What is veterinary insurance and what does it include?

Veterinary insurance is a policy taken out with an insurance company which, as with retainers, includes a series of services and treatments. However, unlike retainers, pet insurance gives dog and cat owners added value as it includes civil liability insurance.

• Also included in SegurCaixa Adeslas home insurance policies, the civil liability insurance for pets covers personal and material damage caused by a dog or cat to third parties, as well as the legal costs associated with the court proceedings in which a pet may be involved.
• Until recently, civil liability insurance was only compulsory for potentially dangerous dogs (PPP).
• The law passed in 2023 did not regulate the obligatory nature of Civil Liability insurance for all dogs, so for the time being the previous law is still in force, which requires Potentially Dangerous Dog (PPP) owners to hold civil liability insurance, with the exception of some Autonomous Communities such as Madrid or the Basque Country, which do require it for all dogs. 

Imagine the situation: your dog accidentally gets free from their lead and runs in front of a cyclist in a park. And causes damage to the cyclist and their bicycle. Now:

• Having taken out civil liability insurance for dogs, you’ll have more peace of mind knowing that the company will take responsibility for paying the cyclist’s medical expenses and compensating the damage caused to their bicycle.
• The insurance company will also provide legal assistance if the cyclist decides to sue you and it will pay the trial costs in the event that it reaches that point.

Main differences between a veterinary retainer and pet insurance

Civil Liability

So, the first difference between a retainer and pet insurance is that the latter, through the civil liability coverage, covers damages that your pet may cause to third parties. And through this guarantee, in the case of dogs, it is able to comply with the provisions of the Animal Welfare Law, avoiding penalties.

Complete Scheme

Our pet insurance Complete Scheme includes the following provisions and services that are not included in veterinary retainers:

• Civil liability. As we mentioned above, this guarantee is compulsory in insurance for dogs. And it covers up to €200,000 capital.
• Death due to accident. Our health insurance for dogs and cats also covers up to €1,000 capital if the animal dies due to an accident (collision with a vehicle, fight with other animals, ingestion of foreign bodies etc.).
• Theft. And it also includes up to €800 capital if the pet is stolen.
• Death due to illness. Up to €1,000 capital (with a 6-month waiting period).
• Access to a broad veterinary team. Unlike a retainer, our pet insurance allows you to access over 400 veterinary clinics spread over the country.

The Complete Scheme also includes free visits and consultations, digital and telephone veterinary care, free rabies vaccine (except official fees), 24-hour veterinary emergencies and reduced prices for other services.

Without a waiting period

All this without a waiting period. This means that the insurance coverage is applied from the effective date specified in the policy’s general terms and conditions, and there is no set time period before which you can be covered by a guarantee.

Broad differences

With the following table you can see at a glance what the differences are between a veterinary retainer and pet insurance:

Which is the best option for you and your pet?

The choice between a veterinary retainer and pet insurance will depend on your circumstances and the needs of your dog or cat.

Basic care

If are you content with basic care and routine visits to the vet, a retainer may be enough to cover ordinary consultations, essential vaccinations and deworming. However, according to the Animal Welfare Law, in future, civil liability insurance will be required for all dogs and a retainer does not provide that coverage.

More coverage

If you want to be better protected, pet insurance is the best option. Especially if you have a dog. Remember: according to the Animal Welfare Law, dog owners must take out civil liability insurance that covers personal and material damage that the pet may cause to third parties.

The best possible care

Also, an insurance policy covers your pet in the event of theft, illness or accident. And it guarantees that your dog or cat always receives the best care no matter where you are. You choose the veterinary centre!

A much more comprehensive insurance

In short, even though veterinary retainers are useful and include many services and treatments, pet insurance is a much more comprehensive option. And in regard to dogs, it is compulsory. Don't forget!