Arabia Insurance vs Thiqa
UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026
Arabia Insurance
private4,441 providers
2 plans
Est. 1944
DHA, DOH regulated
Thiqa
premium7,999 providers
1 plan
Est. 2005
DOH regulated
Arabia Insurance has 2 plans from AED 2,500 a year and 4,441 in-network providers in 8 cities. Thiqa has 1 plan and 7,999 in-network providers in 8 cities. Both insurers have the most providers in Dubai. Network counts are providers in the UAE Open Healthcare Directory that list each insurer; premiums are indicative.
Arabia Insurance vs Thiqa — At a Glance
| Attribute | Arabia Insurance | Thiqa |
|---|---|---|
| Type | private | premium |
| Founded | 1944 | 2005 |
| Headquarters | Beirut (UAE offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah) | Abu Dhabi |
| Regulators | DHA, DOH | DOH |
| Number of Plans | 2 | 1 |
| Premium Range | AED 2,500 – 11,000 | AED 0 – 0 |
| Total Network Size | 4,441 | 7,999 |
| 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% |
| Phone (from the insurer's website) | +971 4 228 0022 | 800 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
| City | Arabia Insurance | vs | Thiqa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | 2,440 | vs | 3,083 |
| Abu Dhabi | 863 | vs | 2,440 |
| Sharjah | 656 | vs | 913 |
| Al Ain | 187 | vs | 798 |
| Ajman | 121 | vs | 315 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | 105 | vs | 234 |
| Fujairah | 57 | vs | 170 |
| Umm Al Quwain | 12 | vs | 46 |
Provider counts from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory. Green highlights the city leader.
Arabia Insurance Plans
Arabia Insurance
Arabia Basic Health
SMEs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi meeting mandatory requirements
AED 2,500 – 4,500/yr
Annual limit: AED 200,000 · shared room · 20% co-pay
4,441 providers
View details →Arabia Insurance
Arabia Enhanced Health
Corporate employees and families
AED 5,500 – 11,000/yr
Annual limit: AED 500,000 · semi-private room · 20% co-pay
4,441 providers
View details →Thiqa Plans
Thiqa
Thiqa
UAE nationals and their dependants in Abu Dhabi
Government-funded
Annual limit: Unlimited · private room · 0% co-pay
7,999 providers
View details →Verdict
Choose Arabia 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.
Arabia Insurance vs Thiqa — FAQ
Which is better, Arabia Insurance or Thiqa?
It depends on your needs. Arabia Insurance has 4,441 providers across 8 cities and offers 2 plans starting from AED 2,500/yr. Thiqa has 7,999 providers across 8 cities with 1 plans from AED 0/yr. Choose Arabia Insurance if you need more plan tiers to choose from. Choose Thiqa if you prioritise a larger provider network.
Is Arabia Insurance cheaper than Thiqa?
No, Thiqa's entry-level plan starts from AED 0/yr, while Arabia Insurance's cheapest plan begins at AED 2,500/yr. Pricing varies significantly by age, nationality, and plan tier, so obtain personalised quotes from both insurers.
Which has a bigger network in Dubai, Arabia Insurance or Thiqa?
Thiqa has a larger Dubai network with 3,083 providers, compared to Arabia Insurance's 2,440 providers. Network sizes are based on the UAE Open Healthcare Directory data.
Does Arabia Insurance or Thiqa cover dental?
Both insurers offer dental coverage on their enhanced and premium plans. Arabia Insurance's dental sub-limit goes up to AED 3,000/yr, while Thiqa offers up to AED 0/yr. Basic plans from both insurers typically exclude dental.
Can I switch from Arabia 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 Arabia 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 Arabia Insurance and Thiqa have dedicated claims and onboarding teams to facilitate the transition.
How do I compare Arabia Insurance and Thiqa plans?
Use the UAE Health Insurance Navigator on this page to compare Arabia Insurance and Thiqa side-by-side. Key factors to compare: (1) Annual premium — Arabia Insurance starts from AED 2,500/yr, Thiqa from AED 0/yr, (2) Network size — 4,441 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.
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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 Arabia Insurance and Thiqa or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.