Question 1

Which is better, Al Dhafra Insurance or Thiqa?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your needs. Al Dhafra Insurance has 3,288 providers across 8 cities and offers 2 plans starting from AED 2,000/yr. Thiqa has 8,241 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.

Question 2

Is Al Dhafra Insurance cheaper than Thiqa?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

Thiqa has a larger Dubai network with 3,226 providers, compared to Al Dhafra Insurance's 1,147 providers. Network sizes are based on the UAE Open Healthcare Directory data.

Question 4

Does Al Dhafra Insurance or Thiqa cover dental?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 5

Can I switch from Al Dhafra Insurance to Thiqa?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 6

How do I compare Al Dhafra Insurance and Thiqa plans?

Accepted Answer

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 — 3,288 vs 8,241 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.

Attribute	Al Dhafra Insurance	Thiqa
Type	private	premium
Founded	1979	2005
Headquarters	Abu Dhabi	Abu Dhabi
Regulators	HAAD	HAAD
Number of Plans	2	1
Premium Range	AED 2,000 – 9,000	AED 0 – 0
Total Network Size	3,288	8,241
Cities Covered	8	8
Dental	Yes	Yes
Optical	Yes	Yes
Maternity	Yes	Yes
Mental Health	No	Yes
International	No	Yes
Co-pay Range	20%	0%
Claims Phone	02-622-2212	800-42626

City	Al Dhafra Insurance	vs	Thiqa
Dubai	1,147	vs	3,226
Abu Dhabi	1,305	vs	2,483
Sharjah	273	vs	928
Al Ain	327	vs	821
Ajman	97	vs	324
Ras Al Khaimah	88	vs	241
Fujairah	40	vs	171
Umm Al Quwain	11	vs	47

Al Dhafra Insurance vs Thiqa

Al Dhafra Insurance

Thiqa

Al Dhafra Insurance vs Thiqa — At a Glance

Network Comparison by City

Al Dhafra Insurance Plans

Al Dhafra Basic Health

Al Dhafra Enhanced Health

Thiqa Plans

Thiqa

Verdict

Al Dhafra Insurance vs Thiqa — FAQ

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