Al Wathba National Insurance vs AXA
UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026
Al Wathba National Insurance
private4,205 providers
2 plans
Est. 1996
DOH regulated
AXA
private9,190 providers
3 plans
Est. 1985
DHA, DOH, MOHAP regulated
Al Wathba National Insurance has 2 plans from AED 2,100 a year and 4,205 in-network providers in 8 cities. AXA has 3 plans from AED 3,000 a year and 9,190 in-network providers in 8 cities. Al Wathba National Insurance has the most providers in Abu Dhabi while AXA has the most in Dubai. Network counts are providers in the UAE Open Healthcare Directory that list each insurer; premiums are indicative.
Al Wathba National Insurance vs AXA — At a Glance
| Attribute | Al Wathba National Insurance | AXA |
|---|---|---|
| Type | private | private |
| Founded | 1996 | 1985 |
| Headquarters | Abu Dhabi | Dubai (Gulf HQ) |
| Regulators | DOH | DHA, DOH, MOHAP |
| Number of Plans | 2 | 3 |
| Premium Range | AED 2,100 – 9,500 | AED 3,000 – 35,000 |
| Total Network Size | 4,205 | 9,190 |
| Cities Covered | 8 | 8 |
| Dental | Yes | Yes |
| Optical | Yes | Yes |
| Maternity | Yes | Yes |
| Mental Health | Yes | Yes |
| International | No | Yes |
| Co-pay Range | 20% | 0% – 20% |
| Phone (from the insurer's website) | 600 54 40 40 | 800 292 |
Coverage columns reflect whether at least one plan from the insurer includes that benefit. Premiums are indicative annual ranges.
Network Comparison by City
| City | Al Wathba National Insurance | vs | AXA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | 1,458 | vs | 4,900 |
| Abu Dhabi | 1,621 | vs | 2,098 |
| Sharjah | 354 | vs | 1,123 |
| Al Ain | 442 | vs | 427 |
| Ajman | 136 | vs | 266 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | 99 | vs | 216 |
| Fujairah | 73 | vs | 133 |
| Umm Al Quwain | 22 | vs | 27 |
Provider counts from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory. Green highlights the city leader.
Al Wathba National Insurance Plans
Al Wathba National Insurance
Al Wathba Basic Health
SMEs and employees in Abu Dhabi who need the mandatory cover
AED 2,100 – 3,800/yr
Annual limit: AED 200,000 · shared room · 20% co-pay
4,205 providers
View details →Al Wathba National Insurance
Al Wathba Enhanced Health
Corporate employees and families in Abu Dhabi
AED 4,500 – 9,500/yr
Annual limit: AED 400,000 · semi-private room · 20% co-pay
4,205 providers
View details →AXA Plans
AXA
AXA SmartHealth Essential
Individuals and small companies meeting mandatory requirements
AED 3,000 – 5,500/yr
Annual limit: AED 250,000 · shared room · 20% co-pay
9,190 providers
View details →AXA
AXA SmartHealth Gold
Corporate employees and families seeking comprehensive coverage
AED 7,000 – 14,000/yr
Annual limit: AED 750,000 · semi-private room · 20% co-pay
9,190 providers
View details →AXA
AXA SmartHealth Platinum
Senior executives and high-net-worth individuals
AED 18,000 – 35,000/yr
Annual limit: AED 2.0M · private room · 0% co-pay
9,190 providers
View details →Verdict
Choose Al Wathba National Insurance if you need lower entry-level premiums. Choose AXA if you prioritise a larger provider network, 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.
Al Wathba National Insurance vs AXA — FAQ
Which is better, Al Wathba National Insurance or AXA?
It depends on your needs. Al Wathba National Insurance has 4,205 providers across 8 cities and offers 2 plans starting from AED 2,100/yr. AXA has 9,190 providers across 8 cities with 3 plans from AED 3,000/yr. Choose Al Wathba National Insurance if you need lower entry-level premiums. Choose AXA if you prioritise a larger provider network, more plan tiers to choose from, more comprehensive coverage options.
Is Al Wathba National Insurance cheaper than AXA?
Yes, Al Wathba National Insurance's entry-level plan starts from AED 2,100/yr, compared to AXA's cheapest plan at AED 3,000/yr. However, plan pricing varies by age, nationality, visa type, and employer. Enhanced and premium tiers may differ. Always obtain a personalised quote from each insurer.
Which has a bigger network in Dubai, Al Wathba National Insurance or AXA?
AXA has a larger Dubai network with 4,900 providers, compared to Al Wathba National Insurance's 1,458 providers. Network sizes are based on the UAE Open Healthcare Directory data.
Does Al Wathba National Insurance or AXA cover dental?
Both insurers offer dental coverage on their enhanced and premium plans. Al Wathba National Insurance's dental sub-limit goes up to AED 2,500/yr, while AXA offers up to AED 10,000/yr. Basic plans from both insurers typically exclude dental.
Can I switch from Al Wathba National Insurance to AXA?
Yes, you can switch insurers during your policy renewal period. In the UAE, health insurance is typically renewed annually. When switching from Al Wathba National Insurance to AXA (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 Wathba National Insurance and AXA have dedicated claims and onboarding teams to facilitate the transition.
How do I compare Al Wathba National Insurance and AXA plans?
Use the UAE Health Insurance Navigator on this page to compare Al Wathba National Insurance and AXA side-by-side. Key factors to compare: (1) Annual premium — Al Wathba National Insurance starts from AED 2,100/yr, AXA from AED 3,000/yr, (2) Network size — 4,205 vs 9,190 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.
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Disclaimer: Plan details, premiums, and network sizes are indicative, based on publicly available UAE insurance market data. Obtain personalised quotes from Al Wathba National Insurance and AXA or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.