Insurance in the UAE ranges from products that are legally mandatory, like health cover for every resident, to ones most people only think about after it is too late, like the job loss protection that became compulsory in 2023 or the war risk cover that gained attention in 2026. Knowing what is required, what is optional but sensible, and what most standard policies actually exclude can save thousands of dirhams and a lot of stress when a claim needs to be made.
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1. Health insurance
Health insurance became mandatory across all seven emirates from January 2025, when the Northern Emirates introduced a federal basic scheme covering roughly 3 million previously uninsured residents. Dubai’s minimum Essential Benefits Plan gives AED 150,000 of annual coverage for AED 500 to 700 a year paid entirely by the employer, while Abu Dhabi’s minimum requirement is more generous and extends to a spouse and up to three children. Premiums rose by 11.5% across most UAE renewals in 2026, and the differences between the emirates are set out in the full comparison of health insurance companies in the UAE.
2. Car insurance
Third-party liability cover is the legal minimum for every vehicle in the UAE, but it pays out nothing towards the policyholder’s own car, which is why comprehensive insurance covering theft, fire, and natural disasters is the more common choice among residents. Premiums depend on the vehicle’s value, the driver’s age and history, and the no-claims discount already built up, and comparing quotes across the car insurance companies in Dubai before renewal is one of the more reliable ways to cut the annual bill.
3. Home insurance
Most tenants in the UAE assume home insurance is the landlord’s responsibility, but a landlord’s policy typically only covers the physical structure of the building and not the furniture, electronics, or valuables inside a rented apartment. Home content and building cover can cost as little as AED 200 a year depending on coverage, and the practical difference between what a landlord’s policy protects and what a tenant still needs to buy separately is covered in the breakdown of home insurance in the UAE.
4. Job loss insurance
Every private and federal government employee in the UAE has been required to subscribe to the involuntary loss of employment scheme since January 2023, with a subscription of AED 5 a month for salaries up to AED 16,000 and AED 10 a month above that threshold. Payouts are capped at AED 10,000 or AED 20,000 a month depending on the subscription tier, and exclusions such as job loss during probation or on a temporary contract are detailed in the rules of the job loss insurance scheme.
5. War insurance
Standard home, health, car, and life policies in the UAE all carry a war exclusion clause, meaning a claim tied to armed conflict, missile strikes, or political violence will almost always be denied even under a comprehensive policy. New products launched by Orient Insurance in 2026 now offer landlords and vehicle owners standalone political violence cover, and what these policies do and do not include is explained in the full breakdown of war insurance in the UAE.
Beyond insurance, the wider banking and insurance section covers UAE bank accounts, credit cards, and the loans and mortgages that make up the rest of a typical financial setup.