Question 1

Is health insurance mandatory in the UAE?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Health insurance is a legal requirement for residents in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and since 2025 it is also required for residents of the Northern Emirates. Employers must cover employees, and sponsors must cover their dependants.

Question 2

How much does health insurance cost in the UAE?

Accepted Answer

Basic mandatory plans typically start from around AED 600–1,000 per person per year, while comprehensive individual plans usually range from AED 3,500 to AED 15,000+ depending on age, network and copayment. Final pricing is confirmed by the insurer at quotation.

Question 3

What is the difference between Basic and Comprehensive medical insurance?

Accepted Answer

Basic (Essential Benefits) plans meet the legal minimum with a restricted hospital network and lower annual limits. Comprehensive plans offer wider networks, higher limits, better maternity and dental options, and often regional or worldwide cover.

Question 4

Which hospitals and clinics can I use with my plan?

Accepted Answer

Your access depends on the TPA network attached to your plan — Nextcare, NAS, Mednet or GlobeMed. You can browse every facility by TPA, plan and emirate in our Hospital & Clinic Network directory before you buy.

Question 5

Is car insurance mandatory in the UAE?

Accepted Answer

Yes. At minimum, every registered vehicle must carry third-party liability insurance. Comprehensive cover, which also protects your own vehicle against damage, theft and fire, is optional but strongly recommended.

Question 6

What documents do I need for motor insurance in the UAE?

Accepted Answer

For an individual policy: Mulkiya (vehicle registration card), UAE driving licence and Emirates ID. For a company vehicle: Mulkiya, trade licence and VAT certificate where applicable.

Question 7

What is Workmen's Compensation insurance and is it required?

Accepted Answer

Workmen's Compensation covers your legal liability for employee death or injury sustained while performing work duties. It is mandatory for UAE employers under Federal labour law and is often checked at licence renewal.

Question 8

What does Contractors All Risk (CAR) insurance cover?

Accepted Answer

CAR covers physical loss or damage to construction works, materials and plant on site, plus third-party liability arising from the project. It is required by most UAE principals and government authorities before works begin.

Question 9

Do I need Public Liability insurance for my UAE business?

Accepted Answer

Public Liability covers third-party bodily injury or property damage caused by your business operations. Many UAE free zones, malls, landlords and government tenders require proof of cover before you can trade.

Question 10

What is Professional Indemnity insurance?

Accepted Answer

Professional Indemnity protects consultants, engineers, clinics, agencies and other professionals against claims of negligence, error or omission in the services they provide, including defence costs.

Question 11

How does group medical insurance work for UAE companies?

Accepted Answer

Group medical covers all employees (and optionally dependants) under one policy. Premiums depend on group size, age profile, salary bands and the chosen network. Groups usually get wider benefits and more flexibility than individual plans.

Question 12

How long does it take to get an insurance quote?

Accepted Answer

Most quotations are returned within one working day once we have your completed requirements and documents. Straightforward motor and basic medical quotes are often same-day.

Question 13

Do you charge for insurance advice?

Accepted Answer

No. Our advisory service is free to you — we are remunerated by the insurer or TPA when a policy is placed, so you pay the same premium as going direct while getting comparison and claims support.

UAE insurance questions, answered