Emirates Insurance Company vs IRIS Health
UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026
Emirates Insurance Company
private5,595 providers
2 plans
Est. 1982
DHA, MOHAP regulated
IRIS Health
tpa5,881 providers
2 plans
Est. 2003
DHA, HAAD regulated
Emirates Insurance Company has 2 plans starting from AED 2,200/yr with 5,595 providers across 8 cities. IRIS Health has 2 plans starting from AED 2,800/yr with 5,881 providers across 8 cities. Both insurers have their strongest presence in Dubai.
Emirates Insurance Company vs IRIS Health — At a Glance
| Attribute | Emirates Insurance Company | IRIS Health |
|---|---|---|
| Type | private | tpa |
| Founded | 1982 | 2003 |
| Headquarters | Abu Dhabi | Dubai |
| Regulators | DHA, MOHAP | DHA, HAAD |
| Number of Plans | 2 | 2 |
| Premium Range | AED 2,200 – 11,000 | AED 2,800 – 11,500 |
| Total Network Size | 5,595 | 5,881 |
| Cities Covered | 8 | 8 |
| Dental | Yes | Yes |
| Optical | Yes | Yes |
| Maternity | Yes | Yes |
| Mental Health | Yes | Yes |
| International | No | No |
| Co-pay Range | 20% | 20% |
| Claims Phone | 800-364728 | 04-340-0220 |
Coverage columns reflect whether at least one plan from the insurer includes that benefit. Premiums are indicative annual ranges.
Network Comparison by City
| City | Emirates Insurance Company | vs | IRIS Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | 3,271 | vs | 3,461 |
| Abu Dhabi | 713 | vs | 1,331 |
| Sharjah | 898 | vs | 477 |
| Al Ain | 224 | vs | 256 |
| Ajman | 291 | vs | 147 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | 107 | vs | 121 |
| Fujairah | 72 | vs | 65 |
| Umm Al Quwain | 19 | vs | 23 |
Provider counts from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory. Green highlights the city leader.
Emirates Insurance Company Plans
Emirates Insurance Company
Emirates Essential Health
Individuals and SMEs in Dubai and Northern Emirates
AED 2,200 – 4,000/yr
Annual limit: AED 150,000 · shared room · 20% co-pay
5,595 providers
View details →Emirates Insurance Company
Emirates Corporate Health
Corporate employees in Dubai and Northern Emirates
AED 5,000 – 11,000/yr
Annual limit: AED 500,000 · semi-private room · 20% co-pay
5,595 providers
View details →IRIS Health Plans
IRIS Health
IRIS Managed Essential
Companies using IRIS-administered plans for mandatory compliance
AED 2,800 – 5,000/yr
Annual limit: AED 250,000 · shared room · 20% co-pay
5,881 providers
View details →IRIS Health
IRIS Managed Plus
Corporate groups seeking personalised TPA-managed coverage
AED 5,500 – 11,500/yr
Annual limit: AED 500,000 · semi-private room · 20% co-pay
5,881 providers
View details →Verdict
Choose Emirates Insurance Company if you need lower entry-level premiums. Choose IRIS Health if you prioritise a larger provider network. 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.
Emirates Insurance Company vs IRIS Health — FAQ
Which is better, Emirates Insurance Company or IRIS Health?
It depends on your needs. Emirates Insurance Company has 5,595 providers across 8 cities and offers 2 plans starting from AED 2,200/yr. IRIS Health has 5,881 providers across 8 cities with 2 plans from AED 2,800/yr. Choose Emirates Insurance Company if you need lower entry-level premiums. Choose IRIS Health if you prioritise a larger provider network.
Is Emirates Insurance Company cheaper than IRIS Health?
Yes, Emirates Insurance Company's entry-level plan starts from AED 2,200/yr, compared to IRIS Health's cheapest plan at AED 2,800/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, Emirates Insurance Company or IRIS Health?
IRIS Health has a larger Dubai network with 3,461 providers, compared to Emirates Insurance Company's 3,271 providers. Network sizes are based on the UAE Open Healthcare Directory data.
Does Emirates Insurance Company or IRIS Health cover dental?
Both insurers offer dental coverage on their enhanced and premium plans. Emirates Insurance Company's dental sub-limit goes up to AED 3,000/yr, while IRIS Health offers up to AED 3,500/yr. Basic plans from both insurers typically exclude dental.
Can I switch from Emirates Insurance Company to IRIS Health?
Yes, you can switch insurers during your policy renewal period. In the UAE, health insurance is typically renewed annually. When switching from Emirates Insurance Company to IRIS Health (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 Emirates Insurance Company and IRIS Health have dedicated claims and onboarding teams to facilitate the transition.
How do I compare Emirates Insurance Company and IRIS Health plans?
Use the UAE Health Insurance Navigator on this page to compare Emirates Insurance Company and IRIS Health side-by-side. Key factors to compare: (1) Annual premium — Emirates Insurance Company starts from AED 2,200/yr, IRIS Health from AED 2,800/yr, (2) Network size — 5,595 vs 5,881 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 Emirates Insurance Company and IRIS Health or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory, last verified March 2026.