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AXA vs Daman

UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026

AXA

private

9,303 providers

3 plans

Est. 1985

DHA, DOH, MOHAP regulated

Daman

mandatory

9,506 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

AttributeAXADaman
Typeprivatemandatory
Founded19852005
HeadquartersDubai (Gulf HQ)Abu Dhabi
RegulatorsDHA, DOH, MOHAPDOH
Number of Plans33
Premium RangeAED 3,000 – 35,000AED 600 – 25,000
Total Network Size9,3039,506
Cities Covered88
DentalYesYes
OpticalYesYes
MaternityYesYes
Mental HealthYesYes
InternationalYesNo
Co-pay Range0% – 20%0% – 20%
Claims Phone800-292800-42626

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

Network Comparison by City

CityAXAvsDaman
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

Basic

Individuals and small companies meeting mandatory requirements

AED 3,000 – 5,500/yr

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

Dental
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
DHA and HAAD compliantMulti-emirate network24/7 AXA customer service

9,303 providers

View details →

AXA

AXA SmartHealth Gold

Enhanced

Corporate employees and families seeking comprehensive coverage

AED 7,000 – 14,000/yr

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

Dental (AED 5,000)
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Wide private hospital networkAlternative medicine coveredDental and optical included

9,303 providers

View details →

AXA

AXA SmartHealth Platinum

Premium

Senior executives and high-net-worth individuals

AED 18,000 – 35,000/yr

Annual limit: AED 2.0M · private room · 0% co-pay

Dental (AED 10,000)
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Zero co-payPrivate roomInternational coverage

9,303 providers

View details →

Daman Plans

Daman

Daman Basic

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

Dental
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Mandatory scheme — lowest cost in Abu DhabiGovernment-subsidised for low-income workersWide Abu Dhabi public hospital network

9,506 providers

View details →

Daman

Daman Enhanced

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

Dental (AED 3,000)
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Wide network including private hospitalsDental and optical includedMaternity coverage after 12-month wait

9,506 providers

View details →

Daman

Daman Premium

Premium

Senior employees and executives in Abu Dhabi

AED 12,000 – 25,000/yr

Annual limit: AED 1.0M · private room · 0% co-pay

Dental (AED 7,500)
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Zero co-pay outpatientPrivate roomComprehensive dental and optical

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.

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.