AXA vs Daman
UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026
AXA
private9,303 providers
3 plans
Est. 1985
DHA, DOH, MOHAP regulated
Daman
mandatory9,506 providers
3 plans
Est. 2005
DOH regulated
AXA has 3 plans from AED 3,000 a year and 9,303 in-network providers in 8 cities. Daman has 3 plans from AED 600 a year and 9,506 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.
AXA vs Daman — At a Glance
| Attribute | AXA | Daman |
|---|---|---|
| Type | private | mandatory |
| Founded | 1985 | 2005 |
| Headquarters | Dubai (Gulf HQ) | Abu Dhabi |
| Regulators | DHA, DOH, MOHAP | DOH |
| Number of Plans | 3 | 3 |
| Premium Range | AED 3,000 – 35,000 | AED 600 – 25,000 |
| Total Network Size | 9,303 | 9,506 |
| Cities Covered | 8 | 8 |
| Dental | Yes | Yes |
| Optical | Yes | Yes |
| Maternity | Yes | Yes |
| Mental Health | Yes | Yes |
| International | Yes | No |
| Co-pay Range | 0% – 20% | 0% – 20% |
| Claims Phone | 800-292 | 800-42626 |
Coverage columns reflect whether at least one plan from the insurer includes that benefit. Premiums are indicative annual ranges.
Network Comparison by City
| City | AXA | vs | Daman |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | 4,959 | vs | 4,048 |
| Abu Dhabi | 2,137 | vs | 2,487 |
| Sharjah | 1,133 | vs | 1,343 |
| Al Ain | 429 | vs | 801 |
| Ajman | 269 | vs | 364 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | 216 | vs | 244 |
| Fujairah | 133 | vs | 168 |
| Umm Al Quwain | 27 | vs | 51 |
Provider counts from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory. Green highlights the city leader.
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
9,303 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
9,303 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
9,303 providers
View details →Daman Plans
Daman
Daman Basic
Low-income workers and dependants in Abu Dhabi (mandatory scheme)
AED 600 – 750/yr
Annual limit: AED 250,000 · shared room · 20% co-pay
9,506 providers
View details →Daman
Daman Enhanced
Mid-salary employees and families in Abu Dhabi
AED 3,500 – 7,500/yr
Annual limit: AED 500,000 · semi-private room · 20% co-pay
9,506 providers
View details →Daman
Daman Premium
Senior employees and executives in Abu Dhabi
AED 12,000 – 25,000/yr
Annual limit: AED 1.0M · private room · 0% co-pay
9,506 providers
View details →Verdict
Choose AXA if you need more comprehensive coverage options. Choose Daman if you prioritise a larger provider network, lower entry-level premiums. 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.
AXA vs Daman — FAQ
Which is better, AXA or Daman?
It depends on your needs. AXA has 9,303 providers across 8 cities and offers 3 plans starting from AED 3,000/yr. Daman has 9,506 providers across 8 cities with 3 plans from AED 600/yr. Choose AXA if you need more comprehensive coverage options. Choose Daman if you prioritise a larger provider network, lower entry-level premiums.
Is AXA cheaper than Daman?
No, Daman's entry-level plan starts from AED 600/yr, while AXA's cheapest plan begins at AED 3,000/yr. Pricing varies significantly by age, nationality, and plan tier, so obtain personalised quotes from both insurers.
Which has a bigger network in Dubai, AXA or Daman?
AXA has a larger Dubai network with 4,959 providers, compared to Daman's 4,048 providers. This includes hospitals, clinics, dental practices, and specialist centres listed in the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.
Does AXA or Daman cover dental?
Both insurers offer dental coverage on their enhanced and premium plans. AXA's dental sub-limit goes up to AED 10,000/yr, while Daman offers up to AED 7,500/yr. Basic plans from both insurers typically exclude dental.
Can I switch from AXA to Daman?
Yes, you can switch insurers during your policy renewal period. In the UAE, health insurance is typically renewed annually. When switching from AXA to Daman (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 AXA and Daman have dedicated claims and onboarding teams to facilitate the transition.
How do I compare AXA and Daman plans?
Use the UAE Health Insurance Navigator on this page to compare AXA and Daman side-by-side. Key factors to compare: (1) Annual premium — AXA starts from AED 3,000/yr, Daman from AED 600/yr, (2) Network size — 9,303 vs 9,506 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 AXA and Daman or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.