Skip to main content

We make finding a doctor in the UAE free, transparent, and easy.

Emirates Insurance Company vs Thiqa

UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026

Emirates Insurance Company

private

5,595 providers

2 plans

Est. 1982

DHA, MOHAP regulated

Thiqa

premium

8,142 providers

1 plan

Est. 2005

HAAD regulated

Emirates Insurance Company has 2 plans starting from AED 2,200/yr with 5,595 providers across 8 cities. Thiqa has 1 plan starting from AED 0/yr with 8,142 providers across 8 cities. Both insurers have their strongest presence in Dubai.

Emirates Insurance Company vs Thiqa — At a Glance

AttributeEmirates Insurance CompanyThiqa
Typeprivatepremium
Founded19822005
HeadquartersAbu DhabiAbu Dhabi
RegulatorsDHA, MOHAPHAAD
Number of Plans21
Premium RangeAED 2,200 – 11,000AED 0 – 0
Total Network Size5,5958,142
Cities Covered88
DentalYesYes
OpticalYesYes
MaternityYesYes
Mental HealthYesYes
InternationalNoYes
Co-pay Range20%0%
Claims Phone800-364728800-42626

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

Network Comparison by City

CityEmirates Insurance CompanyvsThiqa
Dubai
3,271
vs
3,164
Abu Dhabi
713
vs
2,481
Sharjah
898
vs
922
Al Ain
224
vs
807
Ajman
291
vs
318
Ras Al Khaimah
107
vs
234
Fujairah
72
vs
170
Umm Al Quwain
19
vs
46

Provider counts from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory. Green highlights the city leader.

Emirates Insurance Company Plans

Emirates Insurance Company

Emirates Essential Health

Basic

Individuals and SMEs in Dubai and Northern Emirates

AED 2,200 – 4,000/yr

Annual limit: AED 150,000 · shared room · 20% co-pay

Dental
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
DHA compliantAffordable individual plansDubai and Sharjah network

5,595 providers

View details →

Emirates Insurance Company

Emirates Corporate Health

Enhanced

Corporate employees in Dubai and Northern Emirates

AED 5,000 – 11,000/yr

Annual limit: AED 500,000 · semi-private room · 20% co-pay

Dental (AED 3,000)
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Dental and optical includedDubai and Northern Emirates coverageMental health support

5,595 providers

View details →

Thiqa Plans

Thiqa

Thiqa

VIP

UAE nationals and their dependants in Abu Dhabi

Government-funded

Annual limit: Unlimited · private room · 0% co-pay

Dental
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Unlimited annual coverageZero co-pay across all servicesInternational treatment coverage (with approval)

8,142 providers

View details →

Verdict

Choose Emirates Insurance Company if you need more plan tiers to choose from, more comprehensive coverage options. Choose Thiqa 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 Thiqa — FAQ

Which is better, Emirates Insurance Company or Thiqa?

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. Thiqa has 8,142 providers across 8 cities with 1 plans from AED 0/yr. Choose Emirates Insurance Company if you need more plan tiers to choose from, more comprehensive coverage options. Choose Thiqa if you prioritise a larger provider network.

Is Emirates Insurance Company cheaper than Thiqa?

No, Thiqa's entry-level plan starts from AED 0/yr, while Emirates Insurance Company's cheapest plan begins at AED 2,200/yr. Pricing varies significantly by age, nationality, and plan tier, so obtain personalised quotes from both insurers.

Which has a bigger network in Dubai, Emirates Insurance Company or Thiqa?

Emirates Insurance Company has a larger Dubai network with 3,271 providers, compared to Thiqa's 3,164 providers. This includes hospitals, clinics, dental practices, and specialist centres listed in the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.

Does Emirates Insurance Company or Thiqa 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 Thiqa offers up to AED 0/yr. Basic plans from both insurers typically exclude dental.

Can I switch from Emirates Insurance Company to Thiqa?

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 Thiqa (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 Thiqa have dedicated claims and onboarding teams to facilitate the transition.

How do I compare Emirates Insurance Company and Thiqa plans?

Use the UAE Health Insurance Navigator on this page to compare Emirates Insurance Company and Thiqa side-by-side. Key factors to compare: (1) Annual premium — Emirates Insurance Company starts from AED 2,200/yr, Thiqa from AED 0/yr, (2) Network size — 5,595 vs 8,142 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 Emirates Insurance Company and Thiqa or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory, last verified March 2026.