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AXA vs Salama Islamic Insurance

UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026

AXA

private

9,330 providers

3 plans

Est. 1985

DHA, HAAD, MOHAP regulated

Salama Islamic Insurance

private

5,768 providers

2 plans

Est. 1979

DHA, HAAD, MOHAP regulated

AXA has 3 plans starting from AED 3,000/yr with 9,330 providers across 8 cities. Salama Islamic Insurance has 2 plans starting from AED 2,500/yr with 5,768 providers across 8 cities. Both insurers have their strongest presence in Dubai.

AXA vs Salama Islamic Insurance — At a Glance

AttributeAXASalama Islamic Insurance
Typeprivateprivate
Founded19851979
HeadquartersDubai (Gulf HQ)Dubai
RegulatorsDHA, HAAD, MOHAPDHA, HAAD, MOHAP
Number of Plans32
Premium RangeAED 3,000 – 35,000AED 2,500 – 13,000
Total Network Size9,3305,768
Cities Covered88
DentalYesYes
OpticalYesYes
MaternityYesYes
Mental HealthYesYes
InternationalYesNo
Co-pay Range0% – 20%20%
Claims Phone800-292800-72526

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

Network Comparison by City

CityAXAvsSalama Islamic Insurance
Dubai
4,984
vs
3,113
Abu Dhabi
2,139
vs
1,211
Sharjah
1,133
vs
885
Al Ain
429
vs
227
Ajman
269
vs
137
Ras Al Khaimah
216
vs
106
Fujairah
133
vs
65
Umm Al Quwain
27
vs
24

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

9,330 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

9,330 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

9,330 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

5,768 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

5,768 providers

View details →

Verdict

Choose AXA if you need a larger provider network, more plan tiers to choose from, more comprehensive coverage options. Choose Salama Islamic Insurance if you prioritise 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 Salama Islamic Insurance — FAQ

Which is better, AXA or Salama Islamic Insurance?

It depends on your needs. AXA has 9,330 providers across 8 cities and offers 3 plans starting from AED 3,000/yr. Salama Islamic Insurance has 5,768 providers across 8 cities with 2 plans from AED 2,500/yr. Choose AXA if you need a larger provider network, more plan tiers to choose from, more comprehensive coverage options. Choose Salama Islamic Insurance if you prioritise lower entry-level premiums.

Is AXA cheaper than Salama Islamic Insurance?

No, Salama Islamic Insurance's entry-level plan starts from AED 2,500/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 Salama Islamic Insurance?

AXA has a larger Dubai network with 4,984 providers, compared to Salama Islamic Insurance's 3,113 providers. This includes hospitals, clinics, dental practices, and specialist centres listed in the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.

Does AXA or Salama Islamic Insurance 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 Salama Islamic Insurance offers up to AED 4,000/yr. Basic plans from both insurers typically exclude dental.

Can I switch from AXA 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 AXA 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 AXA and Salama Islamic Insurance have dedicated claims and onboarding teams to facilitate the transition.

How do I compare AXA and Salama Islamic Insurance plans?

Use the UAE Health Insurance Navigator on this page to compare AXA and Salama Islamic Insurance side-by-side. Key factors to compare: (1) Annual premium — AXA starts from AED 3,000/yr, Salama Islamic Insurance from AED 2,500/yr, (2) Network size — 9,330 vs 5,768 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 Salama Islamic Insurance or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory, last verified March 2026.