Daman vs Salama Islamic Insurance
UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026
Daman
mandatory9,391 providers
3 plans
Est. 2005
DOH regulated
Salama Islamic Insurance
private5,657 providers
2 plans
Est. 1979
DHA, DOH, MOHAP regulated
Daman has 3 plans from AED 600 a year and 9,391 in-network providers in 8 cities. Salama Islamic Insurance has 2 plans from AED 2,500 a year and 5,657 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.
Daman vs Salama Islamic Insurance — At a Glance
| Attribute | Daman | Salama Islamic Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Type | mandatory | private |
| Founded | 2005 | 1979 |
| Headquarters | Abu Dhabi | Dubai |
| Regulators | DOH | DHA, DOH, MOHAP |
| Number of Plans | 3 | 2 |
| Premium Range | AED 600 – 25,000 | AED 2,500 – 13,000 |
| Total Network Size | 9,391 | 5,657 |
| Cities Covered | 8 | 8 |
| Dental | Yes | Yes |
| Optical | Yes | Yes |
| Maternity | Yes | Yes |
| Mental Health | Yes | Yes |
| International | No | No |
| Co-pay Range | 0% – 20% | 20% |
| Claims Phone | 800-42626 | 800-72526 |
Coverage columns reflect whether at least one plan from the insurer includes that benefit. Premiums are indicative annual ranges.
Network Comparison by City
| City | Daman | vs | Salama Islamic Insurance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | 3,996 | vs | 3,036 |
| Abu Dhabi | 2,451 | vs | 1,189 |
| Sharjah | 1,332 | vs | 878 |
| Al Ain | 791 | vs | 224 |
| Ajman | 358 | vs | 135 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | 244 | vs | 106 |
| Fujairah | 168 | vs | 65 |
| Umm Al Quwain | 51 | vs | 24 |
Provider counts from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory. Green highlights the city leader.
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
9,391 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
9,391 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
9,391 providers
View details →Salama Islamic Insurance Plans
Salama Islamic Insurance
Salama Basic Takaful Health
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
5,657 providers
View details →Salama Islamic Insurance
Salama Enhanced Takaful Health
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
5,657 providers
View details →Verdict
Choose Daman if you need a larger provider network, lower entry-level premiums, more plan tiers to choose from, more comprehensive coverage options. Choose Salama Islamic Insurance if you prioritise strong coverage and established reputation. 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.
Daman vs Salama Islamic Insurance — FAQ
Which is better, Daman or Salama Islamic Insurance?
It depends on your needs. Daman has 9,391 providers across 8 cities and offers 3 plans starting from AED 600/yr. Salama Islamic Insurance has 5,657 providers across 8 cities with 2 plans from AED 2,500/yr. Choose Daman if you need a larger provider network, lower entry-level premiums, more plan tiers to choose from, more comprehensive coverage options. Choose Salama Islamic Insurance if you prioritise strong coverage and established reputation.
Is Daman cheaper than Salama Islamic Insurance?
Yes, Daman's entry-level plan starts from AED 600/yr, compared to Salama Islamic Insurance's cheapest plan at AED 2,500/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.
Which has a bigger network in Dubai, Daman or Salama Islamic Insurance?
Daman has a larger Dubai network with 3,996 providers, compared to Salama Islamic Insurance's 3,036 providers. This includes hospitals, clinics, dental practices, and specialist centres listed in the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.
Does Daman or Salama Islamic Insurance cover dental?
Both insurers offer dental coverage on their enhanced and premium plans. Daman's dental sub-limit goes up to AED 7,500/yr, while Salama Islamic Insurance offers up to AED 4,000/yr. Basic plans from both insurers typically exclude dental.
Can I switch from Daman 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 Daman 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 Daman and Salama Islamic Insurance have dedicated claims and onboarding teams to facilitate the transition.
How do I compare Daman and Salama Islamic Insurance plans?
Use the UAE Health Insurance Navigator on this page to compare Daman and Salama Islamic Insurance side-by-side. Key factors to compare: (1) Annual premium — Daman starts from AED 600/yr, Salama Islamic Insurance from AED 2,500/yr, (2) Network size — 9,391 vs 5,657 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 Daman and Salama Islamic Insurance or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.