Are you off to the United Arab Emirates soon?
We know that buying travel insurance isn’t the most exciting part of planning your trip to the United Arab Emirates, but it is important. Read on for some tips on what to consider before selecting a policy:
- The cost of your holiday – You may have to cancel your holiday and although that’s extremely disappointing, it is nice to know you may be able get your money back
- Think about the activities that you might do while you’re away – We cover more than 50 adventure activities as standard, such as bungee jumping, and we can cover other more extreme activities too
- The cost of your baggage
- Also, don’t forget to check the latest travel advice for United Arab Emirates from the FCDO
Our Coronavirus Travel Insurance is rated Superior by a leading UK Consumer Champion. All of our policies will cover you if you catch Coronavirus.
What is covered with travel insurance to the UAE?
As standard, our policies cover for over 50 sports and activities, so you can get up to more on your holiday. We also offer a range of benefits, some of which include:
- Medical expenses and hospital benefit
- Personal accident and liability
- Cancelling and cutting short your holiday
- Abandoning your trip
- Delayed departure
- Accommodation cover
- Personal belongings and baggage
- Personal money, passport and travel documents
- Legal expenses
In order for you to have the best possible holiday, we’ve put together some important information that you might want to know before you travel to the UAE.
| Currency | UAE dirham |
| Most common languages spoken | Arabic |
| Capital |
Abu Dhabi Although Dubai is the largest city in the UAE |
| Continent | Asia |
| Population | Approx. 9 million |
| Plug type | Plug types C, D and G |
| Driving side | Right-hand side |
| Seasons | Spring – March to May Summer – June to August Autumn – September to November Winter – December to February |
| Laws | Local laws and customs |
Do I need a visa for the UAE?
As a British citizen with a valid passport, you can obtain a visitor’s visa upon arrival in the UAE, which last up to 30 days. You don’t need to fill out an application for these visas before you travel as they are free of charge on arrival.
Healthcare in the UAE
Healthcare services in the UAE are very similar to those in the UK. However, medical costs for expats and visitors in the UAE can be quite high, so it’s important to make sure that you have the right level of cover to ensure medical treatments are covered, should anything happen.
More information about the healthcare services in the UAE can be found here.
What if I need emergency assistance in United Arab Emirates?
If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of needing medical treatment or assistance while in United Arab Emirates, you or someone on your behalf can contact our 24-hour medical assistance team.
Did you know that…?
- More than four out of five people living in the United Arab Emirates aren’t actually Emirati. They’re expats who have adopted the UAE as their home. Most can’t become citizens and have to return home as soon as they retire or stop working.
- How do you keep the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, clean? With over 24,000 windows the 830m-high skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, uses a combo of people on wires, special bucket machines, and trained falcons to kill pigeons.
- Salukis, one of the oldest known breeds of hunting dog, are the must-have fashion accessory for street-cred youngsters in urban areas of the United Arab Emirates. They’re the only teenagers who don’t mind going out with a dog on their arm.
- The United Arab Emirates stopped driving on the left and switched to the right on 15 August 1966. It probably didn’t cause too many headaches, as there were only 13 cars registered in Dubai in 1968!
- The prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, the Emir of Dubai, is worth US$4 billion. His neighbour, the Emir of Abu Dhabi, is worth US$15 billion. He’s also the UAE’s president. Great public sector pay? No, the roles are all hereditary.
- The Dubai World Cup in the United Arab Emirates has a US$10 million prize, making it the richest horse race in the world. Don’t expect to have a trackside flutter though – gambling is illegal in the UAE.
- How much would you be willing to pay for a personalised number plate? Saeed Abdul Ghaffar Khouri of the United Arab Emirates parted with £7.2 million for the registration plate “1”. Maybe he had trouble remembering longer ones.