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Travel Insurance for Dubai

Travelling to DubaiĀ for a much-needed getaway? Compare your travel insurance options with Savvy.

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, updated on February 15th, 2024       

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Compare Travel Insurance Quotes in 30 Seconds

Whether youā€™re wanting to stand on the top floor of the Burj Khalifa or take a drive on one of the largest manmade islands in the world, itā€™s always important to have peace of mind when youā€™re travelling to Dubai. If youā€™re searching for the right travel insurance cover for your next international journey, Savvy can point you in the right direction.

By comparing with us, you can find a policy which offers you the right protection, whether your flights are delayed, your luggage goes missing or you fall ill while overseas. We provide instant quotes from our partners, so you can consider their pros and cons and compare the cost of each policy. Before you take off overseas, compare your travel insurance options with Savvy today.

Do I need travel insurance for a holiday to Dubai?

You don't necessarily ‘need' travel insurance if you're taking a trip to Dubai. However, it's strongly recommended that you purchase a policy before you jet off on your international holiday, whether you want to take a camel ride through the sandy Arabian desert or go shopping in one of the more than 100 malls.

Shopping centres and luxury hotels are not the only attractions in Dubai. This vast desert metropolis constantly expands its cultural offerings, galleries, and design-oriented shops to attract tourists. However, there are still dangers for tourists and visitors to look out for, so it's paramount you compare with Savvy and get the best travel insurance before leaving.

If youā€™re eager to travel to the Dubai region and experience all of what it has to offer, some of the incidentals to watch for include:

  • Border conflict: while it's rare, Dubai may feel the effects of regional conflicts in the Middle East and Gulf. Always keep an eye on the news, both at home and abroad. Take the guidance of local authorities in the event of a security problem.
  • Extreme weather: severe weather is expected, so ensure you're ready for temperatures to rise to at least 50Ā°C between June and September. In addition, sand and dust storms are frequently experienced. Keep out of the sun and drink lots of water if the temperature is high.
  • Crime: Dubai has a relatively low crime rate. Pickpocketing and bag snatching is possible but are fairly uncommon forms of minor crime. However, tourists can be the target of drink spiking and sexual assault, as well as verbal and physical harassment. Pedestrian underpasses and such isolated areas should be avoided after dark.
  • Terror attacks: several individuals suspected of being terrorists and plotting attacks have been apprehended in the past. If youā€™re out in a crowded area, look out for unusual behaviour and pay attention to the warnings by local authorities.
  • Diseases: diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome are transmitted through parasites found in water and food and are common across much of the United Arab Emirates. Steer clear of camels and anything which has come into contact with its secretions. Itā€™s also a good idea to keep out of the water if there is an outbreak of red algae, as this has been known to cause eye, skin and breathing issues.

Whatā€™s covered by my travel insurance for my holiday to Dubai?

One of the reasons you need travel insurance is to protect you if you become ill or injured while travelling, lose your things, or suffer airline cancellations or delays. Most travel insurance policies offer the following benefits:

  1. Overseas medical bills: itā€™s a good idea to take out travel insurance in case youā€™re struck down with an illness or injure yourself and require medical attention while in Dubai.
  2. Evacuation or repatriation: You may need medical evacuation to Australia if you are in a critical condition due to illness or injury. Many of the public and private hospitals in the country are of a reasonable standard, but if you are sick, you may have to be evacuated back to Australia. Luckily, your insurer can pay for your evacuation and repatriation, including if you need to disembark a cruise ship, which may cost up to $100,000 without insurance.
  3. Cancellation: many travel insurance carriers may refund pre-paid deposits on hotels, flights, or excursions if you cancel your trip due to a covered occurrence. Illness, injury, or a sick or dying family member are among the valid reasons for cancelling a trip.
  4. Lost, stolen or damaged bags: most insurance providers will compensate or replace lost, stolen, or damaged baggage up to an agreed claim amount, which can reach up to $15,000.
  5. Individual items: taking a mobile phone or laptop on your overseas or domestic getaway? Many insurance plans offer sub-limits for lost, damaged, or stolen personal items.
  6. Travel delays: most travel insurance cover hotel, food, and other expenses if your flight is delayed longer than 24 hours. This includes delayed luggage owing to a delayed airliner. For example, some may allow you to claim $300 per day if your flight is delayed for more than 24 hours.
  7. Personal liability: legal issues abroad may be costly. If you're held directly accountable for damage or injury, your insurance company may pay up to $5 million.
  8. Accidental death: if you die overseas in a covered accident, your insurance company can repatriate your remains. They may pay up to $25,000 for funeral or cremation fees.
  9. Optional extras: planning to skydive from 13,000 feet over Dubai or jet ski off of Kite Beach? Most travel insurance plans don't cover these activities automatically, but they do offer supplementary coverage for an added premium.

However, most travel insurance companies wonā€™t cover you for the following incidentals:

  1. Unapproved pre-existing medical conditions
  2. Lost possessions left unattended
  3. Breaking local laws and road rules
  4. Accidents caused by drug or alcohol use
  5. Travelling to a country against Australian government advice
  6. Travelling for medical tourism

What factors should I consider before buying travel insurance for a trip to Dubai?

It might be difficult to figure out which policy provides the most beneficial coverage for your next trip to the Middle East. However, by comparing with Savvy, you may be able to make the experience of searching for the perfect policy a whole lot easier.

Premium cost

It is, of course, in your best interest to keep your insurance premium costs to a minimum. To avoid overpaying for your travel insurance, it is crucial to shop around and get the best possible policy at a price that works for you. If youā€™re over 65 and planning a trip to Dubai, youā€™ll likely be paying a higher premium based on your age, so it will be worth shopping around to find the cheapest seniors' travel insurance policy.

The type of policy you need

Numerous options exist for travel insurance, whether you're looking for single-trip, annual or one-way cover, so itā€™s important to consider your travel requirements. For example, if youā€™re travelling to Dubai but also taking a holiday to the UKĀ within the year, it might be good to find a multi-trip policy may be more suited to you than single-trip. Take a look at your itinerary, think about how often youā€™ll be flying and compare it with Savvy so you can get the best insurance for your trip.

What youā€™re doing in DubaiĀ 

Carefully consider which insurance company provides the greatest value and level of protection if youā€™re looking to partake in high-risk pursuits before signing up. If youā€™re planning to take a cruise through Dubai Marina or kayak along the picturesque Hatta Lake, make sure you get a policy that covers you.

Claim limits

In most cases, the amount you may claim from your overseas travel insurance policy will be capped. Check if these limits are enough for your trip and the items you want to take with you by doing a side-by-side comparison of several brands with Savvy. For example, some travel insurers allow you to claim up to $7,500 if you lose your luggage or have it damaged while on holiday, compared to others who only let you claim $3,000.

Inclusions and exclusions

When searching for the best international policy for your trip to Dubai, make sure you opt for a policy that best suits your needs. Before settling on one choice, do your homework and weigh what's included and what isn't. For example, a pre-existing condition you suffer from may not be automatically included under one policy, while it could be covered by a competitor.

Types of travel insurance

Why compare travel insurance with Savvy?

Top tips for saving on your travel insurance to Dubai

Combine policies

You can get group policies from providers covering you and your partner, your extended family, and even your children or grandchildren. Most providers allow you to include up to 25 people under the same policies, which, if the costs are divided among the travellers, can save you money.

Consider increasing your excess

You can pay less for your travel insurance by increasing the excess you're willing to pay if you need to file a claim. A higher excess can help you save money in the long term, but it shouldn't be so high that it causes you financial hardship to pay it.

Only pay for what you need

There's no point paying for cover you're not going to use on your holiday. Before you purchase a travel insurance policy, read the PDS and make sure you arenā€™t paying extra for add-ons such as rental car hire or cruise coverage if you don't have any intentions of either hiring a car or sailing across the seas.

Compare your travel insurance options

Using Savvy to help you decide lets you easily see which provider gives you the best travel insurance coverage for the lowest price. You can compare policies side by side so you can weigh what's included, what's not included, the price of your premium, and any other essential factors.

Frequently asked questions about travel insurance for Dubai

Does travel insurance for Dubai cover me for COVID-19-related costs?

Yes ā€“ most travel insurance policies cover any COVID-19-related expenses, such as medical treatment while youā€™re in Dubai and the need to cancel your holiday if you test positive before you leave. However, cancellation due to COVID-19 isnā€™t usually available on basic policies. The risk of testing positive for COVID-19 is still quite high if youā€™re travelling to Dubai as of September 2022, so itā€™s best to wear a mask when possible if youā€™re worried about contracting the disease.

Can I take out travel insurance if Iā€™m already in Dubai?

Yes ā€“ you can buy travel insurance if youā€™re already wheels up and headed to Dubai for your holiday through a broker or online. You wonā€™t need much to take out travel insurance, only the details of your trip and some other important information. Youā€™ll be afforded the exact coverage you would usually get if you purchased before departure. However, these policies have waiting periods of between 48 and 96 hours. This means that if you suffer a claimable incident inside this period, you wonā€™t be able to make a claim.

When is the best time to buy travel insurance for Dubai?

Most people in the know will tell you the best time to purchase your travel insurance is when you know your travel dates. That allows you to be covered for the maximum amount of pre-paid bookings, such as those for hotels or tours if something unforeseen happens and you need to call off your holiday. There are also often sales on around holiday periods, such as Easter, Christmas and the End of the Financial Year, which means you could snap up a policy at a discount.

How do I make a claim on my travel insurance if Iā€™m in Dubai?

When you do it online, claiming on your travel insurance is a pretty easy process. When you go to your insurance company's website, enter your policy number and the email address that goes with it. From there, you can do the following:

  • Fill out your claim form with plenty of detail
  • Attach any documents, such as receipts, medical evidence, or proof of purchase
  • Submit your claim

 
The majority of the time, you should hear back from your travel insurance company within about ten business days. It's best to quickly answer any requests for more information to avoid slowing down the process.

How much will my travel insurance to Dubai cost?

How much travel insurance costs for a trip to Dubai will be determined by a range of interchangeable variables, including:

  • Your age
  • The length of your trip and destinations
  • Whether you suffer any pre-existing conditions
  • If you need optional extras, such as adventure sports cover
  • The insurance company youā€™ve chosen
  • The level of cover you have purchased
  • What part of Dubai youā€™re travelling to (for example, you may not be able to receive cover if youā€™re travelling somewhere experiencing a natural disaster or terrorism event)

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Disclaimer:
We do not compare all travel insurance brands currently operating in the market. Any advice presented above or on other pages is general in nature and does not consider your personal or business objectives, needs or finances. Itā€™s always important to consider whether advice is suitable for you before purchasing an insurance policy.

Savvy earns a commission from our partners each time a customer buys a travel insurance policy via our website. We donā€™t arrange for products to be purchased from these brands directly, as all purchases are conducted via their websites.

Before purchasing your policy, we recommend you refer to the providerā€™s PDS for any further information on the terms, inclusions and exclusions.

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