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Aetna International vs Daman

UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026

Aetna International

private

5,920 providers

2 plans

Est. 1853

DHA, HAAD regulated

Daman

mandatory

9,536 providers

3 plans

Est. 2005

HAAD regulated

Aetna International has 2 plans starting from AED 7,000/yr with 5,920 providers across 8 cities. Daman has 3 plans starting from AED 600/yr with 9,536 providers across 8 cities. Both insurers have their strongest presence in Dubai.

Aetna International vs Daman — At a Glance

AttributeAetna InternationalDaman
Typeprivatemandatory
Founded18532005
HeadquartersDubaiAbu Dhabi
RegulatorsDHA, HAADHAAD
Number of Plans23
Premium RangeAED 7,000 – 36,000AED 600 – 25,000
Total Network Size5,9209,536
Cities Covered88
DentalYesYes
OpticalYesYes
MaternityYesYes
Mental HealthYesYes
InternationalYesNo
Co-pay Range0% – 20%0% – 20%
Claims Phone800-423862800-42626

Coverage columns reflect whether at least one plan from the insurer includes that benefit. Premiums are indicative annual ranges.

Network Comparison by City

CityAetna InternationalvsDaman
Dubai
3,714
vs
4,076
Abu Dhabi
1,250
vs
2,489
Sharjah
387
vs
1,343
Al Ain
218
vs
801
Ajman
146
vs
364
Ras Al Khaimah
112
vs
244
Fujairah
76
vs
168
Umm Al Quwain
17
vs
51

Provider counts from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory. Green highlights the city leader.

Aetna International Plans

Aetna International

Aetna Core Health

Enhanced

Expat professionals and families in the UAE

AED 7,000 – 13,000/yr

Annual limit: AED 1.0M · semi-private room · 20% co-pay

Dental (AED 4,000)
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
International coverage includedCVS Health global networkMental health and EAP support

5,920 providers

View details →

Aetna International

Aetna Premier

Premium

Senior executives and HNW expats requiring global coverage

AED 19,000 – 36,000/yr

Annual limit: AED 2.0M · private room · 0% co-pay

Dental (AED 12,000)
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Zero co-payPrivate roomWorldwide coverage including USA

5,920 providers

View details →

Daman Plans

Daman

Daman Basic

Basic

Low-income workers and dependants in Abu Dhabi (mandatory scheme)

AED 600 – 750/yr

Annual limit: AED 250,000 · shared room · 20% co-pay

Dental
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Mandatory scheme — lowest cost in Abu DhabiGovernment-subsidised for low-income workersWide Abu Dhabi public hospital network

9,536 providers

View details →

Daman

Daman Enhanced

Enhanced

Mid-salary employees and families in Abu Dhabi

AED 3,500 – 7,500/yr

Annual limit: AED 500,000 · semi-private room · 20% co-pay

Dental (AED 3,000)
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Wide network including private hospitalsDental and optical includedMaternity coverage after 12-month wait

9,536 providers

View details →

Daman

Daman Premium

Premium

Senior employees and executives in Abu Dhabi

AED 12,000 – 25,000/yr

Annual limit: AED 1.0M · private room · 0% co-pay

Dental (AED 7,500)
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Zero co-pay outpatientPrivate roomComprehensive dental and optical

9,536 providers

View details →

Verdict

Choose Aetna International if you need strong coverage and established reputation. Choose Daman if you prioritise a larger provider network, lower entry-level premiums, more plan tiers to choose from, more comprehensive coverage options. Both are established insurers in the UAE market. The best choice depends on your employer's plan options, budget, required coverage, and preferred hospital network in your city.

Aetna International vs Daman — FAQ

Which is better, Aetna International or Daman?

It depends on your needs. Aetna International has 5,920 providers across 8 cities and offers 2 plans starting from AED 7,000/yr. Daman has 9,536 providers across 8 cities with 3 plans from AED 600/yr. Choose Aetna International if you need strong coverage and established reputation. Choose Daman if you prioritise a larger provider network, lower entry-level premiums, more plan tiers to choose from, more comprehensive coverage options.

Is Aetna International cheaper than Daman?

No, Daman's entry-level plan starts from AED 600/yr, while Aetna International's cheapest plan begins at AED 7,000/yr. Pricing varies significantly by age, nationality, and plan tier, so obtain personalised quotes from both insurers.

Which has a bigger network in Dubai, Aetna International or Daman?

Daman has a larger Dubai network with 4,076 providers, compared to Aetna International's 3,714 providers. Network sizes are based on the UAE Open Healthcare Directory data.

Does Aetna International or Daman cover dental?

Both insurers offer dental coverage on their enhanced and premium plans. Aetna International's dental sub-limit goes up to AED 12,000/yr, while Daman offers up to AED 7,500/yr. Basic plans from both insurers typically exclude dental.

Can I switch from Aetna International to Daman?

Yes, you can switch insurers during your policy renewal period. In the UAE, health insurance is typically renewed annually. When switching from Aetna International to Daman (or vice versa), be aware of: (1) Pre-existing condition waiting periods may restart — check the new insurer's policy, (2) Maternity waiting periods usually reset, (3) Any ongoing treatment authorisations need to be re-submitted. Coordinate with your employer's HR department if on a group plan. Both Aetna International and Daman have dedicated claims and onboarding teams to facilitate the transition.

How do I compare Aetna International and Daman plans?

Use the UAE Health Insurance Navigator on this page to compare Aetna International and Daman side-by-side. Key factors to compare: (1) Annual premium — Aetna International starts from AED 7,000/yr, Daman from AED 600/yr, (2) Network size — 5,920 vs 9,536 providers, (3) Coverage — dental, optical, maternity, and mental health inclusion, (4) Co-pay percentages, and (5) Provider availability in your city. Scroll down for the full comparison table.

Disclaimer: Plan details, premiums, and network sizes are indicative, based on publicly available UAE insurance market data. Obtain personalised quotes from Aetna International and Daman or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory, last verified March 2026.