Best Travel Insurance in the UAE: A Provider Comparison

The 5 best travel insurance providers for a trip to the UAE are GIG Gulf, Salama, Orient Insurance Limited, Daman, and SAICO. Each provider has years of experience insuring in the region of the world in and around the United Arab Emirates making their plans uniquely designed for local UAE needs.

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Are you traveling to the UAE soon and need help picking the right travel insurance provider for your trip?

By the end of this article you should feel much more prepared to pick the plan that works for you. We’ll be doing a deep comparison of the 5 best travel insurance providers for travelers in the UAE. We’ll introduce each provider, tell you a little about their company, and detail some of the plans and benefits offered by each.

It may also be helpful for you to better understand how the healthcare system works in the UAE and to read our core article introducing The 5 Best Travel Insurance Companies before you choose.

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The Top 5 Travel Insurance Providers for a UAE Trip

Image of Downtown Dubai Waterfront With A Vibrant City Backdrop with text overlay of "Travel Insurance Providers for a UAE Trip"

Orient Insurance Limited, Salama, GIG Gulf, Daman Insurance, and SAICO are the top 5 best travel insurance providers that offer coverage plans in the United Arab Emirates. Travelers getting ready to head to the UAE, should compare the plans from these providers to find the deal for their needs.

The next sections will introduce each provider and offer a brief summary of the travel insurance policies to the UAE offered by each.

To get a quote for any or all of these plans, or to ask questions about these providers, contact our insurance experts online or via phone at 1-800-868-1451.

Orient Insurance

Orient Insurance Limited offers an Orient Travel Care plan that covers a variety of emergency medical benefits and trip expenses coverage. Orient Travel Care includes the option to cover a travel insurance requirement of an outbound trip for a holiday, business, work, or study.

Benefits included in the Orient Travel Care plan for a trip to the UAE includes:

Emergency medical expenses
Accidental death and disabilities
Lost passport
Luggage delay and losses
Trip cancellation and trip curtailment
Financial emergency assistance due to theft and mugging
Personal liability
Medical and travel assistance
Home away cover
And more!

Orient Insurance Limited is a subsidiary of their parent company Orient Insurance PJSC which was founded in 1982.

Parent company, Orient Insurance PJSC, also offers their own travel insurance options for the UAE. Their plans consist of the following packages:

Whether you’re traveling inbound to the UAE or outbound away from the UAE, Orient offers a travel plan for your needs.

Salama and APRIL International

Salama presents their Travel Takaful travel insurance plan for UAE travelers. This plan covers travelers to the UAE and around the rest of the globe if they select the worldwide coverage option. Travelers can also choose coverage in Europe, Saudi Arabia, and worldwide except for the USA and Canada.

The benefits included in Salama’s Travel Takaful plan include:

Medical and emergency assistance
Emergency medical care
Personal assistance services
Loss and delay of baggage
Delayed departure
Personal accident
Civil liability benefits
Much more!

Salama partnered with April International in 2022, expanding their coverage around the globe. Salama has over 45 years of experience in the industry, received over 50 awards in the last 5 years, and protected over 450,000 customers.

Salama is a leading UAE insurance provider because they are committed to operational excellence, customer focus, collaboration, accountability, and integrity.

GIG Gulf

Gulf Insurance Group, or GIG Gulf, offers several travel insurance options for travelers heading to the UAE, including Travel Smart, Travel Schengen, GCC Inbound Travel, and Annual Multi-Trip. All policies include instant digital policy issuance, 24/7 emergency assistance, and direct billing.

GIG Gulf has over 70 years of experience offering insurance in the Middle East, award-winning customer service reviews, and a mutli-lingual team that supports you 24/7 worldwide. GIG Gulf also includes an offer to save 50% on children’s travel insurance for anyone under 16.

Travel Smart

This plan is GIG’s best travel coverage in the UAE with flexible benefits adaptable to your needs and budget. Some benefits include:

Up to $1,000,000 of emergency medical expenses
Trip cancellation up to $5000
Legal assistance up to $4000
Up to $500 for delayed departure
Baggage or money loss up to $5000

Travel Schengen

This plan is essential for travel to Europe in any Schengen country. This comprehensive travel protection plan meets all consulate requirements. Benefits include:

Cheap travel insurance for Europe
Certificate for visa available in minutes
Up to USD $42,000 for emergency medical expenses
Up to USD $785 for emergency dental care
Up to USD $31,000 for emergency medical transportation

GCC Inbound Travel

This plan is designed for travelers heading into the GCC countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates). It covers your medical emergencies as required by the visa plus additional travel cover. Benefits include:

Up to USD $40,000 for emergency medical treatment
Up to USD $13,000 for emergency transportation
Up to USD $3,000 for baggage and money loss or damage
Loss of passport up to USD $400
Optional adventure sports coverage

Annual Multi-Trip

This plan is ideal for travelers heading to the UAE who know they will travel again within 12 months. This comprehensive travel protection plan can save you money by consolidating all your travel insurance policies into one. Benefits include:

Unlimited trips
Lasts for 12 months
Can be adapted to include the coverage you need
Includes Schengen countries

Daman Insurance

Daman offers 4 Ziyarah inbound travel insurance plans for visitors going to the United Arab Emirates. They provide either 40 days, 70 days, 100 days, or 190 days each for multiple trips of coverage. All Ziyarah plans offer hospitalization benefits and COVID-19 coverage.

Daman is the UAE’s leading health insurance provider. They have set high standards in the health insurance industry and have been awarded a number of international recognitions and honors.

Their company culture includes the values of cultivating a growth mindset, respecting diversity, putting their customers first, building a community of trust, and being part of the solution, not the problem.

All Ziyarah travel insurance plans to the UAE come with the following benefits:

Emergency medical coverage up to USD $41,000 plan limit
Shared hospital room – 100% covered
Hospital accommodation and services – 100% covered
Consultants, surgeon’s and anesthesia services – 100% covered
Emergency ambulance – 100% covered
Pharmaceuticals during hospital stay – 100% covered
Physiotherapy and rehabilitation therapy during inpatient stay – 100% covered
Post-traumatic dental care – 100% covered
Hospitalization for COVID-19 – 100% covered

Pre-existing medical conditions, dental, maternity, and optical care are not covered by these Daman plans.

SAICO Insurance

Saudi Arabian Cooperative Insurance Company, or SAICO, was established in 2006 and offers exceptional travel insurance products to the UAE as well. SAICO is a pioneering insurance company with a focus on constantly improving their strategy and structure and stretching toward their full potential.

SAICO’s travel insurance plans for visitors in the UAE include:

Emergency medical care
Cancelled flights
Delayed baggage
Trip cancellation
Travel delay
Personal liability
Legal expenses

SAICO is one of the best providers to get coverage in the United Arab Emirates because their company strategy includes:

Providing services with speed and quality
Providing excellence and diversity in their products
Exceeding customer expectations
Resolving claims quickly
Maintaining continuous communication with clients
And much more!

How a Broker Can Help Travelers Secure Travel Insurance

Brokers can save travelers time and money by aiding in the research and comparison process and by using their market knowledge to find the best deals available. Travelers heading to the UAE should purchase their insurance plans through a broker instead of directly from the insurance company.

Here are some benefits travelers get from using an insurance broker:

You get access to more insurance choices.
You get experienced insurance experts researching your situation for you.
You get access to the most cost-effective plans available.
You get assistance when submitting claims for reimbursement.
You get expert advice designed to help you find the right plan for you, not to be led to the plan an insurance agent wants you to choose.

There are many more benefits to using a broker, and Pacific Prime is your broker of choice. Let us help you find the right UAE travel insurance plan for your budget and needs. Contact us to learn more!

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for in a travel insurance policy for the UAE?

Choose a travel policy that includes medical coverage, trip cancellations, lost baggage, and emergency evacuation for a trip to the UAE. Since healthcare in the UAE can be expensive, ensure high medical coverage. If you plan to do a safari or adventure sport, confirm coverage for such activities.

Which travel insurance companies offer the best coverage for the UAE?

Top providers for travel insurance in the UAE include Allianz Travel, GIG Gulf, AXA, Daman, and APRIL International. These companies offer strong medical, trip protection, and emergency services. Compare plans based on coverage limits, exclusions, and costs to find the best fit for your plans.

Does travel insurance cover medical emergencies in the UAE?

Most UAE travel insurance policies cover medical emergencies, including hospital stays, doctor visits, and medication costs. However, verify the coverage limit since UAE healthcare can be expensive. Some plans also cover emergency medical evacuation, which is crucial in severe cases.

How much does travel insurance for a trip to the UAE cost?

The cost for travel insurance to the UAE depends on factors such as trip length, traveler’s age, and coverage limits. Basic policies start at around $30-$50 for a week, while comprehensive plans with high medical limits and trip cancellation benefits can range from $80-$200.

How do I file a claim if I need to use my travel insurance in the UAE?

To file a claim on a travel insurance policy to the UAE, notify your insurance provider right away and follow their claim process. Keep all receipts, medical records, and proof of expenses. Many insurers allow online claims. Some insurers offer direct billing with hospitals in the UAE.

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Conclusion

In this article, we’ve now reviewed the 5 top travel insurance providers and their plans that insure travelers visiting the United Arab Emirates, including Dubai. With so many plans available worldwide, hopefully this list has helped narrow down your search and simplify your research process.

If you’re ready to begin comparing travel insurance quotes, we recommend contacting one of our insurance brokers.

If you’re not set on traveling to the UAE or want to tour other countries while abroad, read our articles A Complete Guide to Travel Insurance in Germany and Travel Insurance in China: Coverage and Considerations.

If you’re interested, you may also want to read these articles:

Author
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Serena Fung

Head of Content at Pacific Prime

Serena Fung is the Head of Content at Pacific Prime, a global insurance brokerage and employee specialist serving over 1.5 million clients in 15 offices across the world. With 6+ years of experience writing about the subject, she aims to demystify the world of insurance for readers with the latest updates, guides and articles on the blog.

Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).

Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.