You visit the doctor. You feel terrible. The doctor prescribes you 3 medicines and a bottle of vitamins. You go to the pharmacy counter and hand over your Emirates ID. The pharmacist types on his computer. He frowns. He waits. Then he says: “Medicine A and B are approved. Medicine C and the Vitamins are … Read more
You start a new job in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. HR hands you a shiny plastic card (or tells you to download the app). You look at the “Network” list. Great! Mediclinic, Saudi German, Burjeel, King’s College… they are all there. You feel safe. Six months later, you visit a specialist for a nagging knee … Read more
You and your colleague, let’s call him Dave, are sitting in the office pantry. You are discussing finances. Dave says: “My insurance renewal was AED 2,500 this year.” Your jaw drops. You just paid AED 5,500 for the exact same plan with the exact same insurer. You are both expats. You are both 32 years … Read more
Moving to the UAE comes with a lot of upgrades: tax-free salary, sunshine, safety. Your health insurance card is often one of themāa gateway to world-class private hospitals with 5-star hotel lobbies. But for many expats, the first time they use that card is a culture shock. The system here operates on a unique blend … Read more
In the UAE, your health insurance is inextricably linked to your employment. It is as standard as your salary or your holiday days. Most employees assume: “Note to self: Insurance is the company’s problem.” This is true for You (the employee). But when it comes to your wife, husband, or children, the rules split dramatically … Read more
Imagine this scenario: You are driving down Sheikh Zayed Road, confident in the knowledge that you are a responsible citizen. Your car registration (Mulkiya) expires next week, but you are not worried. After all, everyone knows there is a “Grace Period,” right? You have a minor collision. Nothing serious, just a bumper scratch. You pull … Read more
The crash was bad enough. The adrenaline spike, the conversation with the other driver, the hassle of reporting it via the Police App. But at least you have insurance. You drop your car at the designated workshop. They tell you, “We will call you in 3 days.” Three days pass. Then a week. Then two … Read more
It is that time of year again. The RTA SMS is pinging your phone: “Your vehicle registration is about to expire.” Your broker (or the nice lady from the bank) calls you. “Sir/Ma’am, shall we renew your policy? Itās the same price as last year, very good deal.” The temptation is overwhelming. You are busy. … Read more
There is a comforting lie we tell ourselves when we buy insurance. We tick the box that says “Comprehensive,” we pay the premium, and we think: “I am invincible. If anything happens to my car, itās covered.” But in the fine print of UAE insurance policiesāthose 30 pages of size-8 font that nobody readsāthere are … Read more
You have Health Insurance for your staff. You think: “If they get sick or injured, they are covered.” Wrong. Health Insurance covers illness and standard accidents. It does NOT cover work-related injuries, disability compensation, or legal liability if an employee sues you for “Unsafe Working Conditions.” This gap is called Workmen’s Compensation. And ignoring it … Read more