Compare Travel Insurance for Dubai
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Key things to know for travel insurance for Dubai
- Potential Entry Requirement - Visitors applying for most Dubai visas may be asked to show proof of travel insurance with a minimum of £24,000 in emergency medical coverage for entry.
- Extreme Private Costs - With no reciprocal healthcare agreement (GHIC/EHIC) and purely private facilities, costs are high; a hospital bed can exceed £1,000 per night, and medical repatriation to the UK costs over £40,000.
- Climate & Health Risks - Extreme summer temperatures exceeding 42°C pose severe risks of heatstroke and dehydration; failure to declare heart or respiratory conditions can lead to rejected claims for heat-related illness.
- High-Value Item Protection - Standard baggage limits often fall short of Dubai's luxury shopping market; travellers should check their "Single Item Limit" to ensure expensive electronics or designer purchases are fully covered.
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Compare travel insurance for Dubai
While Dubai can be an incredible holiday destination with stunning beaches, vast shopping centres, and world-leading hotels, it also has an incredibly expensive healthcare system. This is why travel insurance is crucial to avoid the risk of paying large medical costs.
Even though UK citizens do not need a visa to visit Dubai, they may be required to show their travel insurance policy upon entry. This is part of the proof of being able to support yourself while in the country.
Finding the right insurance for your trip to Dubai can be difficult, but using PayingTooMuch to compare all the options available can make it easier.
What does travel insurance for Dubai cover?
Medical Care | Dubai’s medical facilities are among the best in the world, a great example of this is the American Hospital. However, they will come with a very high price tag, it can cost up to £1,000 per night for a hospital bed. |
Repatriation (being flown back to your home country) | If you need to be medically escorted back to the UK from Dubai, it can cost over £40,000. Having insurance can help you avoid having to pay that yourself. |
Protection of your belongings | You can buy some very high-value items in Dubai, particularly in places like The Dubai Mall. Despite Dubai being a very safe country, it’s always good to have your belongings protected, just in case. When selecting a policy, it’s a good idea to check the Single Item Limit (the maximum amount each of your items are insured for) so that all your high-value items are covered. |
Cancellation | Once you purchase your travel insurance you’ll be covered if you need to cancel your trip due to illness, injury or an emergency. |
Why you might need travel insurance for Dubai
Dubai has no reciprocal healthcare agreement with the UK, and isn’t in the EU, so the EHIC and GHIC cards are not valid. As all the healthcare in Dubai is private, without travel insurance you can expect to pay anywhere between £4,000 - £20,000 for some medical procedures, such as having your appendix removed or treating broken bones.
You may also have to show proof of your travel insurance to enter Dubai, making it even more important.
What is not covered by travel insurance to Dubai?
Non-emergency care | Travel insurance is specifically for unforeseen emergencies. It does not cover routine check-ups, elective surgeries, or cosmetic treatments. If you decide to visit Dubai for a non-urgent skin consultation or dental whitening, you will have to pay the bill in full, even if you have travel insurance. |
Travelling against FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) Advice | At the time of writing the FCDO has advised against all but essential travel to the UAE because of the ongoing military action in the Middle East. |
High-risk activities | Many standard policies don’t cover many of the reasons people go to Dubai. For example, quad biking, camel trekking and skydiving. To make sure you’re covered for these kinds of activities, make sure you get the activity-specific add-ons for your policy. |
Intoxication | Possession of drugs is illegal in the UAE, so if you became ill or got injured because you’ve taken some, it will void your travel insurance. To consume alcohol, you will need to have a liquor licence, and you’re not allowed to drink, or be drunk in public. If you do either of these things and get sick or injured because of it, you won’t be able to make a claim on your travel insurance. |
Not disclosing pre-existing conditions | Dubai’s summer temperatures frequently exceed 42°C, which can be challenging to deal with, particularly if you have a pre-existing heart or respiratory condition. If you fail to declare it, any claim for heatstroke or dehydration-related complications will almost certainly be rejected. This goes for any other non-disclosed pre-existing condition. |
How much is travel insurance for Dubai?
For insurance purposes, Dubai typically falls into the ‘Worldwide excluding North America’ bracket. This zone is more expensive than European cover due to the lack of reciprocal health agreements (like GHIC), but is usually cheaper than North American policies.
There are a number of other factors that affect travel insurance prices for Dubai, such as:
- The duration of the trip - The longer you’re in Dubai, the more likely it is that you’ll make a claim, which often leads to higher travel insurance costs.
- The planned activities during the trip - The riskier the activities, e.g. mountain biking or hiking, the more likely the cost of the premium, or add-ons, will be higher.
- Age - Your age can affect the price of your cover. Costs will increase at certain age milestones, such as 65 and 75. This is because insurers tend to see older people as a higher risk.
- Medical history - Most pre-existing conditions will increase the price of travel insurance policies, as insurers see these as a higher risk customer.
How to find affordable travel insurance for Dubai
- Choose the right region (annual multi-trip policies only) - To avoid paying a higher price for your premiums, you can select ‘Worldwide excluding the USA/Canada/Caribbean.’ territory.
- Declare your pre-existing conditions - It’s essential to disclose your full medical history. The extreme heat in Dubai—often exceeding 42°C—can worsen even some of the most minor pre-existing conditions.
- Check the ‘Single Item Limit’ - This is the amount per item that you’re covered for, for example £1500. If you’re planning a shopping spree at the Dubai Mall, make sure that your "Single Item Limit" and total baggage cover match the value of new purchases like smartphones or designer watches.
- Get refunded for cancellations - Follow the ‘ASAB’ (As Soon As You Book) rule. This makes sure you’re protected if an emergency forces you to cancel before departure.
Do your own research and make sure you find the right travel insurance policy for you by comparing quotes now.