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Al Dhafra Insurance vs Thiqa

UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026

Al Dhafra Insurance

private

3,187 providers

2 plans

Est. 1979

DOH regulated

Thiqa

premium

7,999 providers

1 plan

Est. 2005

DOH regulated

Al Dhafra Insurance has 2 plans from AED 2,000 a year and 3,187 in-network providers in 8 cities. Thiqa has 1 plan and 7,999 in-network providers in 8 cities. Al Dhafra Insurance has the most providers in Abu Dhabi while Thiqa has the most in Dubai. Network counts are providers in the UAE Open Healthcare Directory that list each insurer; premiums are indicative.

Al Dhafra Insurance vs Thiqa — At a Glance

AttributeAl Dhafra InsuranceThiqa
Typeprivatepremium
Founded19792005
HeadquartersAbu DhabiAbu Dhabi
RegulatorsDOHDOH
Number of Plans21
Premium RangeAED 2,000 – 9,000AED 0 – 0
Total Network Size3,1877,999
Cities Covered88
DentalYesYes
OpticalYesYes
MaternityYesYes
Mental HealthNoYes
InternationalNoYes
Co-pay Range20%0%
Phone (from the insurer's website)+971 2 694 9444800 4 80000

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

Network Comparison by City

CityAl Dhafra InsurancevsThiqa
Dubai
1,103
vs
3,083
Abu Dhabi
1,274
vs
2,440
Sharjah
264
vs
913
Al Ain
316
vs
798
Ajman
95
vs
315
Ras Al Khaimah
87
vs
234
Fujairah
38
vs
170
Umm Al Quwain
10
vs
46

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

Al Dhafra Insurance Plans

Al Dhafra Insurance

Al Dhafra Basic Health

Basic

Employees in Abu Dhabi and Western Region

AED 2,000 – 3,800/yr

Annual limit: AED 200,000 · shared room · 20% co-pay

Dental
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Strong Western Region coverageCompetitive Abu Dhabi rates

3,187 providers

View details →

Al Dhafra Insurance

Al Dhafra Enhanced Health

Enhanced

Corporate employees and families in Abu Dhabi

AED 4,500 – 9,000/yr

Annual limit: AED 400,000 · semi-private room · 20% co-pay

Dental (AED 2,500)
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Dental and optical includedAbu Dhabi private hospital accessSemi-private room

3,187 providers

View details →

Thiqa Plans

Thiqa

Thiqa

VIP

UAE nationals and their dependants in Abu Dhabi

Government-funded

Annual limit: Unlimited · private room · 0% co-pay

Dental
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Unlimited annual coverageZero co-pay across all servicesInternational treatment coverage (with approval)

7,999 providers

View details →

Verdict

Choose Al Dhafra Insurance if you need more plan tiers to choose from. Choose Thiqa if you prioritise a larger provider network. 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.

Al Dhafra Insurance vs Thiqa — FAQ

Which is better, Al Dhafra Insurance or Thiqa?

It depends on your needs. Al Dhafra Insurance has 3,187 providers across 8 cities and offers 2 plans starting from AED 2,000/yr. Thiqa has 7,999 providers across 8 cities with 1 plans from AED 0/yr. Choose Al Dhafra Insurance if you need more plan tiers to choose from. Choose Thiqa if you prioritise a larger provider network.

Is Al Dhafra Insurance cheaper than Thiqa?

No, Thiqa's entry-level plan starts from AED 0/yr, while Al Dhafra Insurance's cheapest plan begins at AED 2,000/yr. Pricing varies significantly by age, nationality, and plan tier, so obtain personalised quotes from both insurers.

Which has a bigger network in Dubai, Al Dhafra Insurance or Thiqa?

Thiqa has a larger Dubai network with 3,083 providers, compared to Al Dhafra Insurance's 1,103 providers. Network sizes are based on the UAE Open Healthcare Directory data.

Does Al Dhafra Insurance or Thiqa cover dental?

Both insurers offer dental coverage on their enhanced and premium plans. Al Dhafra Insurance's dental sub-limit goes up to AED 2,500/yr, while Thiqa offers up to AED 0/yr. Basic plans from both insurers typically exclude dental.

Can I switch from Al Dhafra Insurance to Thiqa?

Yes, you can switch insurers during your policy renewal period. In the UAE, health insurance is typically renewed annually. When switching from Al Dhafra Insurance to Thiqa (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 Al Dhafra Insurance and Thiqa have dedicated claims and onboarding teams to facilitate the transition.

How do I compare Al Dhafra Insurance and Thiqa plans?

Use the UAE Health Insurance Navigator on this page to compare Al Dhafra Insurance and Thiqa side-by-side. Key factors to compare: (1) Annual premium — Al Dhafra Insurance starts from AED 2,000/yr, Thiqa from AED 0/yr, (2) Network size — 3,187 vs 7,999 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 Al Dhafra Insurance and Thiqa or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.