Travel and international health insurance in Dubai, explained
What do expats need to know about travel and international health insurance in Dubai? How do the DHA rules impact those coming to visit or reside in the Emirate, and what options do they have when it comes to complying with visa regulations? Travel and international health insurance are two different things, and in this article, you’ll find out when you might need these plans, and what other options are available to those planning to visit or move to Dubai.
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What’s the difference between travel and international health insurance?
Travel insurance offers some benefits that are similar to international health insurance, but it is not the same product. The main differences between travel and international health insurance are the length and scope of coverage:
- Travel insurance plans are policies that last less than one year and usually cover only inpatient benefits, and extra travel related ones such as flight delays and lost baggage.
- International health insurance plans are designed for those who relocate to a foreign country for an extended period of time. These policies last for one year, with the possibility of yearly renewals. These plans offer comprehensive health coverage including inpatient and outpatient benefits – sometimes with dental, maternity, and vision cover too.
Dubai’s health insurance requirements
According to the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), all residents, including expats and their dependents must possess health insurance that complies with the DHA requirements. Another point to have in mind is that anyone planning to reside in Dubai must have health insurance obtained from one of the DHA’s approved insurers in Dubai.
Usually, expats that come to the UAE for work have employer-provided health insurance. However, as the law does not require an employee’s dependents to be arranged by employers, individuals might need to organize health coverage for their dependents (e.g., spouse and children), as well as any potential personnel they hire, such as drivers, maids, etc.
Options for expats living in Dubai
When planning a move to Dubai, expatriates will face a choice between local or international health insurance. There are reasons for, and against getting either of those, all of which depends on one’s needs and budget.
Local health insurance
Local plans are usually cheaper because they offer cover exclusively in Dubai. What’s more, local Dubai plans only cover care in the Emirate, and emergency care in the UAE. It’s worth noting here that the price of local plans will go higher the moment you add any extra benefits such as dental or vision insurance.
It’s worth noting here that maternity benefits are covered in even the most basic local health insurance plans in Dubai, but it’s worth looking at the coverage limits and out-of-pocket costs associated with your policy. For example, maternity coverage under the minimal DHA approved plan comes with a 10% co-pay and doesn’t cover the total cost of delivery. The most basic plan in Dubai covers up to 7,000 AED for normal delivery; the cost of a standard delivery in the Emirate starts at around 11,000 AED.
Traveling on a local plan
When going outside of even your Emirate or country, you’ll need extra cover. While local policies will cover emergency treatment in other emirates, that’s about it. It means that every time you need to travel abroad, you would have to purchase a separate travel medical insurance or pay for any treatment you might require out of your pocket. Bear in mind that travel insurance prices tend to go up during summer holiday periods, sometimes even up to 200%!
International health insurance
International health insurance plans usually come with higher premiums, but also with better benefits and coverage limits. With such policies, you will be covered in the whole UAE region as well as abroad. This type of plan will also give you access to the best private hospitals and clinics worldwide.
As an international insurance plan holder, you may still want to consider securing travel-related benefits such as flight delay or lost luggage cover. These are usually already included in the plane ticket price or can be obtained cheaply when booking your flight.
Traveling or moving countries with an international health insurance plan
The greatest thing about international health insurance is that you are covered everywhere in the world. As international plans are globally portable, you can relocate to another country without worrying about obtaining new health coverage. By staying with your current plan wherever you go, this ensures that your pre-existing conditions remain covered.
Ever heard of medical evacuation? Medical evacuation is a common international health insurance benefit that is not usually featured in local plans, and can be quite handy if you need to relocate to the nearest appropriate medical facility if the one you are in is not equipped to address your medical needs. In some cases, the insurer will also cover the price of the ticket to your home country for further treatment.
Travel insurance in Dubai
A recent survey found that 65.4% of UAE residents don’t buy travel insurance at all when going abroad. In fact, 21.1% of respondents cited the cost of travel insurance as the main reason for not getting covered, followed by 31.1% of them saying that they simply forgot to buy it.
Another reason why UAE residents do not buy travel insurance is the fact that they have never experienced any health-related accidents, or issues when traveling abroad. For them, travel insurance is likened to food stains on clothing. Please bear in mind, however, that no matter how careful we are, there is always a possibility that your shirt will get stained, as unforeseen forces or events can occur at any time.
Which option is best for you?
For those of you who have international health insurance, any of the above is not an issue at all. Having the freedom to move around the world knowing that no matter what, you can always get first-class help, is priceless.
Knowing the differences between local, travel, and international health insurance is an excellent way to assess what kind of cover you need. To better understand travel, local, and international policies, and to learn what you can expect to pay for the different plans, contact one of Pacific Prime Dubai’s insurance advisors for a free consultation and plan quote.
When she isn’t writing, you are most likely to find Elwira in search of the perfect plant-based burger or enjoying Hong Kong’s great outdoors either at the beach or from the boat - the closer to the sea, the better!
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