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Al Wathba National Insurance vs Salama Islamic Insurance

UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026

Al Wathba National Insurance

private

4,205 providers

2 plans

Est. 1996

DOH regulated

Salama Islamic Insurance

private

5,657 providers

2 plans

Est. 1979

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. Salama Islamic Insurance has 2 plans from AED 2,500 a year and 5,657 in-network providers in 8 cities. Al Wathba National Insurance has the most providers in Abu Dhabi while Salama Islamic Insurance 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 Salama Islamic Insurance — At a Glance

AttributeAl Wathba National InsuranceSalama Islamic Insurance
Typeprivateprivate
Founded19961979
HeadquartersAbu DhabiDubai
RegulatorsDOHDHA, DOH, MOHAP
Number of Plans22
Premium RangeAED 2,100 – 9,500AED 2,500 – 13,000
Total Network Size4,2055,657
Cities Covered88
DentalYesYes
OpticalYesYes
MaternityYesYes
Mental HealthYesYes
InternationalNoNo
Co-pay Range20%20%
Phone (from the insurer's website)600 54 40 40800 725262 (SALAMA)

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

Network Comparison by City

CityAl Wathba National InsurancevsSalama Islamic Insurance
Dubai
1,458
vs
3,036
Abu Dhabi
1,621
vs
1,189
Sharjah
354
vs
878
Al Ain
442
vs
224
Ajman
136
vs
135
Ras Al Khaimah
99
vs
106
Fujairah
73
vs
65
Umm Al Quwain
22
vs
24

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

Basic

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

Dental
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Competitive Abu Dhabi pricingSimple SME-friendly plans

4,205 providers

View details →

Al Wathba National Insurance

Al Wathba Enhanced Health

Enhanced

Corporate employees and families in Abu Dhabi

AED 4,500 – 9,500/yr

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

Dental (AED 2,500)
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Dental and optical includedMental health coverageAbu Dhabi private hospitals

4,205 providers

View details →

Salama Islamic Insurance Plans

Salama Islamic Insurance

Salama Basic Takaful Health

Basic

Employers seeking Sharia-compliant mandatory health coverage across UAE

AED 2,500 – 5,000/yr

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

Dental
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Largest Takaful insurer in UAEAll-emirate compliantOver 40 years of Takaful expertise

5,657 providers

View details →

Salama Islamic Insurance

Salama Enhanced Takaful Health

Enhanced

Corporate employees and families across UAE wanting enhanced Takaful

AED 6,000 – 13,000/yr

Annual limit: AED 750,000 · semi-private room · 20% co-pay

Dental (AED 4,000)
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Takaful-compliantDental and optical includedAlternative medicine covered

5,657 providers

View details →

Verdict

Choose Al Wathba National Insurance if you need lower entry-level premiums. Choose Salama Islamic Insurance if you prioritise a larger provider network, 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 Salama Islamic Insurance — FAQ

Which is better, Al Wathba National Insurance or Salama Islamic Insurance?

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. Salama Islamic Insurance has 5,657 providers across 8 cities with 2 plans from AED 2,500/yr. Choose Al Wathba National Insurance if you need lower entry-level premiums. Choose Salama Islamic Insurance if you prioritise a larger provider network, more comprehensive coverage options.

Is Al Wathba National Insurance cheaper than Salama Islamic Insurance?

Yes, Al Wathba National Insurance's entry-level plan starts from AED 2,100/yr, compared to Salama Islamic Insurance's cheapest plan at AED 2,500/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 Salama Islamic Insurance?

Salama Islamic Insurance has a larger Dubai network with 3,036 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 Salama Islamic Insurance 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 Salama Islamic Insurance offers up to AED 4,000/yr. Basic plans from both insurers typically exclude dental.

Can I switch from Al Wathba National Insurance to Salama Islamic Insurance?

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 Salama Islamic Insurance (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 Salama Islamic Insurance have dedicated claims and onboarding teams to facilitate the transition.

How do I compare Al Wathba National Insurance and Salama Islamic Insurance plans?

Use the UAE Health Insurance Navigator on this page to compare Al Wathba National Insurance and Salama Islamic Insurance side-by-side. Key factors to compare: (1) Annual premium — Al Wathba National Insurance starts from AED 2,100/yr, Salama Islamic Insurance from AED 2,500/yr, (2) Network size — 4,205 vs 5,657 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 Wathba National Insurance and Salama Islamic Insurance or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.