Compare travel insurance for Dubai from £2.49^
Key takeaways
The average cost of travel insurance for Dubai is £34.13
^ Without insurance, hefty medical bills or denied hospital access could be a reality
Always check that a worldwide travel policy includes Dubai, some exclude specific countries
Do I need travel insurance for Dubai and the UAE?
Holiday insurance is not a legal requirement. But without it you will be personally responsible for paying all the costs if something goes wrong with your trip.
Travel insurance can financially protect you if your holiday to Dubai is unexpectedly cancelled, you need medical treatment while travelling, or your valuables are lost, damaged or stolen.
According to the latest data from the Association of British Insurers:
British residents had to make 574,000
^ claims on their travel insurance in 2023The average claim amount was £972
^ and the average medical claim £1,750^ In contrast, you can find travel insurance to Dubai from just £2.49
^
What type of insurance do I need for Dubai and the UAE?
Dubai and the UAE are typically covered under worldwide travel insurance policies. The specific type of policy you need depends on your travel plans:
One trip to Dubai and the UAE only
If you are only visiting Dubai or another area of the UAE, choose single-trip travel insurance and select it as your destination.
One trip to Dubai and the UAE and other countries
Combining a holiday in Dubai with visits to other countries, or perhaps you’re stopping off there on your way to somewhere further afield? Single-trip travel insurance can cover multiple countries as long as:
You don't head home in-between countries, for that you need multi-trip insurance
You are not away for a long time (policy dependent, but usually a month). For that you need backpackers’ insurance
As you’re heading outside Europe you will need to select worldwide cover.
Several holidays throughout the year
You might save money by selecting an annual multi-trip travel insurance policy.
This will also cover you for staycations in the UK.
Travelling with a medical condition
You can get travel insurance with a pre-existing medical condition, but it may be more expensive than a standard policy.
How much is travel insurance for Dubai and the UAE?
The table shows the average prices paid by our customers for holidays to Dubai and the UAE this year. Average price means 51% of customers paid this amount or less. Cheapest price means 10% of customers paid this price or less.
Cheapest price | Average price |
|---|---|
£2.49 | £34.13 |
Can I get last minute travel insurance for Dubai?
Yes, it is possible to get last-minute travel insurance up to the day of your departure, although not all insurance providers will offer this.
Compare last-minute travel insurance quotes | Cover from just £3.77
^
Is it cheaper to buy travel insurance closer to my departure date?
No, it is usually more expensive to buy travel insurance last-minute.
If possible you should buy your holiday insurance as soon as you book your trip. That way you'll be covered if you have to cancel your Dubai and the UAE holiday.
What should my travel insurance policy for Dubai and the UAE include?
🚩 Different travel insurance policies have different inclusions and exclusions. You should always read your documents and check what you're covered for.
Standard travel insurance will usually cover:
Illness and accidents
Trip and activity cancellations
Lost luggage (including your passport)
Theft
Repatriation (bringing you home if you are seriously injured, ill or dead)
Personal liability (you are responsible for accidentally harming someone or their property)
What isn’t covered by travel insurance to Dubai and the UAE?
Typical exclusions include:
Undeclared pre-existing medical conditions
'Unforeseeable' disasters including terrorism, war, strikes and natural disasters
Alcohol and drug-related incidents
Travel to areas advised against by the government (found on the FCDO website)
Adventure or winter sports
💡 Top tip: You can upgrade your insurance to include add-ons like winter sports, adventure sports, gadget cover and travel disruption cover.
Remember your excess!
Your excess is the amount of money you must pay towards any insurance claim you make. It is a fixed amount regardless of the claim size and it is set in advance when you take out your policy. Increasing your excess can lower the cost of your policy, but make any claims less affordable.
Medical care in Dubai and the UAE
There is a high-quality healthcare system in Dubai and the rest of the UAE with both private and public hospitals. Tourists who need medical treatment while on holiday in Dubai and the UAE will be charged though.
That’s why it’s especially important to have travel insurance otherwise you will be left to pay the cost of your treatment. If you have a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) it won’t be valid as Dubai and the UAE are not included in the scheme.
Can I get travel insurance for Dubai and the UAE if I have a pre-existing medical condition?
Yes, you can get travel insurance cover with a pre-existing medical condition, but it may be more expensive than a standard policy.
A pre-existing condition is any medical issue for which you had symptoms, medication, medical advice, treatment, or tests before you took out your insurance policy. It includes mental health conditions and disabilities.
You must disclose all pre-existing medical conditions. If you don't, your insurer can refuse to pay out for a claim.
Compare medical conditions travel insurance quotes | Cover from just £4.83
^
Do I need vaccinations to visit Dubai and the UAE?
🚩 Vaccination recommendations may be different for individuals with specific health conditions. We recommend speaking to your doctor before travelling.
The NHS Fit for Travel website recommends that your regular vaccinations are up to date before you travel to Dubai and the UAE, including your flu and Covid-19vaccines if you are eligible for these.
A course or booster of Tetanus is usually advised and other vaccines which can be taken include diphtheria and Hepatitis A.
Do I need a visa to visit Dubai and the UAE?
🚩 Visa requirements for a country can change. For the most up-to-date information, check the UK government’s foreign travel advice website.
If you are a UK passport holder you will be given a free tourist visa when you arrive, which you do not need to arrange in advance. The visa is stamped in your passport and it is usually valid for up to 40 days.
What travel insurance do I need for a desert safari trip in Dubai?
You may need to have cover for extreme sports if you’re planning a trip out on the sand dunes. The type of cover you need will depend on what your trip includes, if it’s on a quad bike for example or if you’ll be driving another type of vehicle.
You may not be covered under a standard travel insurance policy. You may be able to add extreme sports cover to your existing travel insurance for a fee.
What travel insurance do I need for jet skiing in Dubai?
You may need to have adventure sports cover. Standard travel insurance policies often will usually cover jet skiing – or other water sports such as kayaking.
How to claim on my travel insurance?
Report the incident you want to claim for to your insurer as soon as possible
If something is stolen, report it to the local police within 24 hours and get a report
Keep records of what has happened, including photos or videos and the contact details of anyone involved
Read our guide to making a claim on your travel insurance.
Find cheap Dubai and UAE travel insurance with MoneySuperMarket
Compare quotes from different insurers to find the best price for the level of cover you want. Don't want this task on your to-do list? We can do the work for you, saving you time and money.
Plus, we offer our travel insurance customers rewards! Get a voucher worth up to £5
Just sign up to our free SuperSaveClub
Compare travel insurance quotes | Dubai cover from just £2.49
^
Author
Rebecca Goodman
Personal Finance & Insurance Expert
Rebecca is an award-winning financial journalist with over a decade of experience writing for print and online media. Her mission is to take the jargon out of personal finance and to help everyone...
Reviewer
Collette Shackleton
Content Writer
Collette Shackleton is a highly skilled Content Writer who has over nine years’ experience creating helpful and engaging personal finance content for consumers. Collette shares her experience as a...
