Emirates Insurance Company vs Thiqa
UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026
Emirates Insurance Company
private5,486 providers
2 plans
Est. 1982
DHA, MOHAP regulated
Thiqa
premium7,999 providers
1 plan
Est. 2005
DOH regulated
Emirates Insurance Company has 2 plans from AED 2,200 a year and 5,486 in-network providers in 8 cities. Thiqa has 1 plan and 7,999 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.
Emirates Insurance Company vs Thiqa — At a Glance
| Attribute | Emirates Insurance Company | Thiqa |
|---|---|---|
| Type | private | premium |
| Founded | 1982 | 2005 |
| Headquarters | Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi |
| Regulators | DHA, MOHAP | DOH |
| Number of Plans | 2 | 1 |
| Premium Range | AED 2,200 – 11,000 | AED 0 – 0 |
| Total Network Size | 5,486 | 7,999 |
| Cities Covered | 8 | 8 |
| Dental | Yes | Yes |
| Optical | Yes | Yes |
| Maternity | Yes | Yes |
| Mental Health | Yes | Yes |
| International | No | Yes |
| Co-pay Range | 20% | 0% |
| Phone (from the insurer's website) | See eminsco.com | 800 4 80000 |
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 | Thiqa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | 3,189 | vs | 3,083 |
| Abu Dhabi | 698 | vs | 2,440 |
| Sharjah | 890 | vs | 913 |
| Al Ain | 222 | vs | 798 |
| Ajman | 289 | vs | 315 |
| 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
Individuals and SMEs in Dubai and Northern Emirates
AED 2,200 – 4,000/yr
Annual limit: AED 150,000 · shared room · 20% co-pay
5,486 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
5,486 providers
View details →Thiqa Plans
Thiqa
Thiqa
UAE nationals and their dependants in Abu Dhabi
Government-funded
Annual limit: Unlimited · private room · 0% co-pay
7,999 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 5,486 providers across 8 cities and offers 2 plans starting from AED 2,200/yr. Thiqa has 7,999 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 3,189 providers, compared to Thiqa's 3,083 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 — 5,486 vs 7,999 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 Thiqa or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.