Salama Islamic Insurance vs William Russell
UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026
Salama Islamic Insurance
private5,768 providers
2 plans
Est. 1979
DHA, HAAD, MOHAP regulated
William Russell
private3,280 providers
2 plans
Est. 1992
DHA, HAAD regulated
Salama Islamic Insurance has 2 plans starting from AED 2,500/yr with 5,768 providers across 8 cities. William Russell has 2 plans starting from AED 8,000/yr with 3,280 providers across 8 cities. Both insurers have their strongest presence in Dubai.
Salama Islamic Insurance vs William Russell — At a Glance
| Attribute | Salama Islamic Insurance | William Russell |
|---|---|---|
| Type | private | private |
| Founded | 1979 | 1992 |
| Headquarters | Dubai | Dubai |
| Regulators | DHA, HAAD, MOHAP | DHA, HAAD |
| Number of Plans | 2 | 2 |
| Premium Range | AED 2,500 – 13,000 | AED 8,000 – 34,000 |
| Total Network Size | 5,768 | 3,280 |
| 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% – 10% |
| Claims Phone | 800-72526 | 04-297-6700 |
Coverage columns reflect whether at least one plan from the insurer includes that benefit. Premiums are indicative annual ranges.
Network Comparison by City
| City | Salama Islamic Insurance | vs | William Russell |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | 3,113 | vs | 2,149 |
| Abu Dhabi | 1,211 | vs | 626 |
| Sharjah | 885 | vs | 209 |
| Al Ain | 227 | vs | 123 |
| Ajman | 137 | vs | 67 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | 106 | vs | 64 |
| Fujairah | 65 | vs | 34 |
| Umm Al Quwain | 24 | vs | 8 |
Provider counts from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory. Green highlights the city leader.
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
5,768 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
5,768 providers
View details →William Russell Plans
William Russell
William Russell Gold Health
British and Commonwealth expat professionals and families
AED 8,000 – 15,000/yr
Annual limit: AED 1.0M · semi-private room · 10% co-pay
3,280 providers
View details →William Russell
William Russell Platinum Health
Senior expat executives and HNW families
AED 18,000 – 34,000/yr
Annual limit: AED 2.0M · private room · 0% co-pay
3,280 providers
View details →Verdict
Choose Salama Islamic Insurance if you need a larger provider network, lower entry-level premiums. Choose William Russell if you prioritise more comprehensive coverage options. 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.
Salama Islamic Insurance vs William Russell — FAQ
Which is better, Salama Islamic Insurance or William Russell?
It depends on your needs. Salama Islamic Insurance has 5,768 providers across 8 cities and offers 2 plans starting from AED 2,500/yr. William Russell has 3,280 providers across 8 cities with 2 plans from AED 8,000/yr. Choose Salama Islamic Insurance if you need a larger provider network, lower entry-level premiums. Choose William Russell if you prioritise more comprehensive coverage options.
Is Salama Islamic Insurance cheaper than William Russell?
Yes, Salama Islamic Insurance's entry-level plan starts from AED 2,500/yr, compared to William Russell's cheapest plan at AED 8,000/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, Salama Islamic Insurance or William Russell?
Salama Islamic Insurance has a larger Dubai network with 3,113 providers, compared to William Russell's 2,149 providers. This includes hospitals, clinics, dental practices, and specialist centres listed in the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.
Does Salama Islamic Insurance or William Russell cover dental?
Both insurers offer dental coverage on their enhanced and premium plans. Salama Islamic Insurance's dental sub-limit goes up to AED 4,000/yr, while William Russell offers up to AED 10,000/yr. Basic plans from both insurers typically exclude dental.
Can I switch from Salama Islamic Insurance to William Russell?
Yes, you can switch insurers during your policy renewal period. In the UAE, health insurance is typically renewed annually. When switching from Salama Islamic Insurance to William Russell (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 Salama Islamic Insurance and William Russell have dedicated claims and onboarding teams to facilitate the transition.
How do I compare Salama Islamic Insurance and William Russell plans?
Use the UAE Health Insurance Navigator on this page to compare Salama Islamic Insurance and William Russell side-by-side. Key factors to compare: (1) Annual premium — Salama Islamic Insurance starts from AED 2,500/yr, William Russell from AED 8,000/yr, (2) Network size — 5,768 vs 3,280 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 Salama Islamic Insurance and William Russell or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory, last verified March 2026.