Question 1

Which is better, AXA or Now Health International?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your needs. AXA has 9,444 providers across 8 cities and offers 3 plans starting from AED 3,000/yr. Now Health International has 3,470 providers across 8 cities with 2 plans from AED 5,500/yr. Choose AXA if you need a larger provider network, lower entry-level premiums, more plan tiers to choose from, more comprehensive coverage options. Choose Now Health International if you prioritise strong coverage and established reputation.

Question 2

Is AXA cheaper than Now Health International?

Accepted Answer

Yes, AXA's entry-level plan starts from AED 3,000/yr, compared to Now Health International's cheapest plan at AED 5,500/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.

Question 3

Which has a bigger network in Dubai, AXA or Now Health International?

Accepted Answer

AXA has a larger Dubai network with 5,070 providers, compared to Now Health International's 2,495 providers. This includes hospitals, clinics, dental practices, and specialist centres listed in the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.

Question 4

Does AXA or Now Health International cover dental?

Accepted Answer

Both insurers offer dental coverage on their enhanced and premium plans. AXA's dental sub-limit goes up to AED 10,000/yr, while Now Health International offers up to AED 7,500/yr. Basic plans from both insurers typically exclude dental.

Question 5

Can I switch from AXA to Now Health International?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can switch insurers during your policy renewal period. In the UAE, health insurance is typically renewed annually. When switching from AXA to Now Health International (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 Now Health International have dedicated claims and onboarding teams to facilitate the transition.

Question 6

How do I compare AXA and Now Health International plans?

Accepted Answer

Use the UAE Health Insurance Navigator on this page to compare AXA and Now Health International side-by-side. Key factors to compare: (1) Annual premium — AXA starts from AED 3,000/yr, Now Health International from AED 5,500/yr, (2) Network size — 9,444 vs 3,470 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.

Attribute	AXA	Now Health International
Type	private	private
Founded	1985	2011
Headquarters	Dubai (Gulf HQ)	Dubai
Regulators	DHA, HAAD, MOHAP	DHA, HAAD
Number of Plans	3	2
Premium Range	AED 3,000 – 35,000	AED 5,500 – 28,000
Total Network Size	9,444	3,470
Cities Covered	8	8
Dental	Yes	Yes
Optical	Yes	Yes
Maternity	Yes	Yes
Mental Health	Yes	Yes
International	Yes	Yes
Co-pay Range	0% – 20%	0% – 20%
Claims Phone	800-292	800-669

City	AXA	vs	Now Health International
Dubai	5,070	vs	2,495
Abu Dhabi	2,141	vs	394
Sharjah	1,141	vs	262
Al Ain	435	vs	125
Ajman	272	vs	95
Ras Al Khaimah	224	vs	51
Fujairah	134	vs	39
Umm Al Quwain	27	vs	9

AXA vs Now Health International

AXA

Now Health International

AXA vs Now Health International — At a Glance

Network Comparison by City

AXA Plans

AXA SmartHealth Essential

AXA SmartHealth Gold

AXA SmartHealth Platinum

Now Health International Plans

Now Health WorldCare Essential

Now Health WorldCare Prestige

Verdict

AXA vs Now Health International — FAQ

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