Question 1

Which is better, MetLife or Thiqa?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your needs. MetLife has 8,008 providers across 8 cities and offers 2 plans starting from AED 2,800/yr. Thiqa has 8,241 providers across 8 cities with 1 plans from AED 0/yr. Choose MetLife if you need more plan tiers to choose from, more comprehensive coverage options. Choose Thiqa if you prioritise a larger provider network.

Question 2

Is MetLife cheaper than Thiqa?

Accepted Answer

No, Thiqa's entry-level plan starts from AED 0/yr, while MetLife's cheapest plan begins at AED 2,800/yr. Pricing varies significantly by age, nationality, and plan tier, so obtain personalised quotes from both insurers.

Question 3

Which has a bigger network in Dubai, MetLife or Thiqa?

Accepted Answer

MetLife has a larger Dubai network with 4,616 providers, compared to Thiqa's 3,226 providers. This includes hospitals, clinics, dental practices, and specialist centres listed in the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.

Question 4

Does MetLife or Thiqa cover dental?

Accepted Answer

Both insurers offer dental coverage on their enhanced and premium plans. MetLife's dental sub-limit goes up to AED 3,500/yr, while Thiqa offers up to AED 0/yr. Basic plans from both insurers typically exclude dental.

Question 5

Can I switch from MetLife to Thiqa?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can switch insurers during your policy renewal period. In the UAE, health insurance is typically renewed annually. When switching from MetLife 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 MetLife and Thiqa have dedicated claims and onboarding teams to facilitate the transition.

Question 6

How do I compare MetLife and Thiqa plans?

Accepted Answer

Use the UAE Health Insurance Navigator on this page to compare MetLife and Thiqa side-by-side. Key factors to compare: (1) Annual premium — MetLife starts from AED 2,800/yr, Thiqa from AED 0/yr, (2) Network size — 8,008 vs 8,241 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.

Attribute	MetLife	Thiqa
Type	private	premium
Founded	1868	2005
Headquarters	Dubai	Abu Dhabi
Regulators	DHA, HAAD	HAAD
Number of Plans	2	1
Premium Range	AED 2,800 – 13,000	AED 0 – 0
Total Network Size	8,008	8,241
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%
Claims Phone	800-638543	800-42626

City	MetLife	vs	Thiqa
Dubai	4,616	vs	3,226
Abu Dhabi	1,744	vs	2,483
Sharjah	806	vs	928
Al Ain	344	vs	821
Ajman	220	vs	324
Ras Al Khaimah	150	vs	241
Fujairah	93	vs	171
Umm Al Quwain	35	vs	47

MetLife vs Thiqa

MetLife

Thiqa

MetLife vs Thiqa — At a Glance

Network Comparison by City

MetLife Plans

MetLife Essential Health

MetLife Corporate Plus

Thiqa Plans

Thiqa

Verdict

MetLife vs Thiqa — FAQ

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