Travel Insurance Tips for a Trip to Dubai

American tourists are flocking to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to experience a new level of luxury. Known as “The Venice of the Gulf,” Dubai boasts a variety of deluxe activities, from swimming at pristine beaches to dining atop sparkling skyscrapers.

If you are considering a trip to Dubai you will likely research flights, hotels, transportation, and excursions. It is wise to also consider buying travel insurance to ensure that your investment is protected. Travel insurance can reimburse you for significant expenses if you need to cancel your trip unexpectedly, encounter a delay or interruption, or have a medical emergency while away from home.

Let’s look at a few common types of travel insurance to consider for your trip to Dubai.

Is travel insurance required when traveling to the UAE?

No. Since November 7, 2022, COVID-19-related travel insurance is no longer a requirement for foreigners to enter Dubai.

Despite this change, visitors are still encouraged to purchase travel insurance to ensure that they are covered in the event of travel emergencies.

What is the best travel insurance to buy when visiting Dubai?

When visiting Dubai, it will likely be most efficient to buy a comprehensive travel insurance plan that includes trip cancellation, trip delay, trip interruption, medical, and baggage loss. Depending on the cost of your trip and your particular needs, you may also want to add “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage.

Trip Cancellation

Planning for a trip can be exhilarating. Thoughts of visiting the Dubai Fountain, peering down at the glittering city from the top of Burj Khalifa or skiing at the Dubai Mall are likely to surpass concerns about possible trip disruptions.

Unfortunately, even with impeccable planning, not all trips go according to plan. A standard trip cancellation policy can reimburse you in the event you have to cancel your trip for a covered reason, including:

• Serious family emergency
• Illness or injury to you, a travel companion, or a close family member
• Death of an immediate relative or travel companion
• Civil unrest
• Acts of war
• Severe weather
• Unexpected job loss
• Military deployment
• Jury duty summons
• Bankruptcy of your travel supplier

Remember, all travel insurance policies are different. Always read the fine print to see which cancellation events are covered. If a plan’s coverage doesn’t suit your needs, seek a plan that gives you the necessary flexibility.

Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR)

If you are concerned that you might need to cancel your trip for a reason that is not typically covered by a standard comprehensive travel insurance policy, such as concerns about getting sick while traveling or needing to attend to family matters that are not an emergency, consider adding a CFAR option to your travel insurance policy. CFAR coverage allows you to cancel your trip for any reason at all so long as you do so according to the policy requirements.

For example, to take advantage of CFAR, you typically must cancel your trip at least 48 hours before you are scheduled to leave. Always check your policy for specific claim requirements. CFAR coverage typically provides reimbursement for up to 75% of your pre-paid, nonrefundable trip costs.

Trip Delay

When you travel to the UAE from the U.S., you will likely have connecting flights. Unfortunately, airline delays are widespread and you could experience issues getting to your final destination on time. Plane mechanical issues, severe weather, and connection delays are common reasons that your trip could be delayed.

With trip delay insurance, you can be reimbursed for unexpected travel expenses such as personal care items, food, local transportation, and even a hotel stay in the event you are stuck at the airport or otherwise delayed in your travels.

Take note that trip delay insurance policies differ and all require that you be delayed for a certain number of hours before you can file a claim. Most plans require at least six hours of travel delay before reimbursement can be requested. Read the fine print and find a plan that works best for your time and budget. Detailed receipts are needed for all reimbursement claims, so make sure to document your expenses carefully.

Trip Interruption

Trip interruption coverage can reimburse you if you need to cut your trip short for covered reasons such as the following:

• Injury or death of covered travelers
• Injury, sickness, or death of a close family member (at home)
• Severe weather
• Civil unrest

Always check your policy to see what reasons are covered for trip interruption. Trip interruption insurance generally covers a one-way economy plane ticket home plus any prepaid, nonrefundable expenses from the remainder of your trip.

If you prefer additional flexibility, you can purchase a more expensive option called “interruption for any reason” or IFAR insurance. IFAR insurance can reimburse you for up to 75% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs if you need to return home early for any reason. The policy must typically be purchased within a set amount of days of your first trip deposit. IFAR policies are only sold by a few travel insurance companies so be sure to check availability well in advance.

Travel Medical Insurance

When traveling abroad, it is critically important that you have adequate health coverage. Your U.S. health plan likely won’t be accepted in a foreign country such as the UAE, even if you have Medicare.

If you are ill or injured during your trip, travel medical insurance can cover a trip to the doctor, prescriptions, lab work, x-rays, and even hospitalization. Travel medical policies have different monetary limits, so choose a plan that fits your current medical needs.

Adding emergency medical evacuation coverage can cover additional costs, such as an air ambulance or even a trip back home for adequate medical care. Fortunately, the UAE has high-quality healthcare in modern facilities, however, if necessary, medical evacuation costs are expensive from Dubai due to its location.

It is also recommended that you choose a travel insurance company that offers 24/7 emergency assistance. When you are in a foreign country and are stressed by a medical emergency, having easy access to medical professionals can provide essential healthcare in your first language as well as peace of mind.

Baggage Loss and Delay

While it is smart not to bring expensive, hard-to-replace personal items on your trip to Dubai, you will likely be traveling with a smart phone, computer, camera, some jewelry or other valuable items. As a destination, Dubai is very safe for tourists though pick-pocketing and other petty theft can occur, especially in crowded areas. Additionally, even if you are keeping a close eye on your belongings, baggage damage, theft or loss can also occur during transit between hotels and during flights.

Baggage insurance can provide reimbursement in the event that your bag or belongings are damaged, lost or stolen while you are on your trip.

Keep in mind that before you can file a claim with your travel insurance company, you may have to file a claim with the airline, your credit card, or homeowners insurance first. A baggage insurance policy will provide reimbursement (after your other insurance policies are exhausted) for the depreciated value of your luggage and any personal items inside up to the monetary limits of your policy.

Remember that designer items and cash are generally excluded from baggage insurance policies. If your baggage is delayed from the time of your arrival, you may be reimbursed for the cost of certain essential items while you wait for your belongings. Generally, a waiting period applies for baggage delay benefits. Always keep documentation from the airline, tour company, or local authorities for proof when filing a claim with your travel insurance company.

When should I buy travel Insurance when visiting Dubai (UAE)?

Traveling to the UAE can be a significant financial investment. It is wise to purchase a travel insurance policy shortly after booking your trip so that you don’t lose out on optional upgrades like CFAR and IFAR.

What is the cost of UAE travel insurance?

Researching different travel insurance companies and policy options is essential to get the specific coverage you need at the price you can afford.

TravelInsurance.com enables you to compare and buy travel insurance policies from top insurers. Always read the details of your policy to understand the coverage and exclusions before buying. Expect an average travel insurance premium for a trip to the UAE to add approximately 4% to 8% to your overall trip cost. Though travel insurance is an additional upfront cost for your trip, the expense is well worthwhile to protect your financial investment, health and peace of mind.

Compare and Buy Travel Insurance

Compare and buy travel insurance plans from top rated insurers