United Arab Emirates Travel Insurance Plans

In this article:

• United Arab Emirates Travel Insurance Plans
• UAE Travel Tips and Safety Information
• Other United Arab Emirates (UAE) FAQs

A travel insurance plan is not required for entry to the UAE, but the costs of visiting may be quite expensive. Healthcare in the UAE is known to be expensive, especially for tourists. Since many U.S. health insurance plans may not provide coverage when traveling internationally, a travel insurance plan with certain medical expense coverage may be a good idea to include on your packing list.

Our Deluxe Plan is a great option for your trip to the UAE as it offers the highest benefit limits, which may be crucial when visiting a pricier destination like the UAE. Travel Guard has optional add-ons to help customize your plan, like our Baggage Bundle upgrade that increases your benefit limits for Baggage Coverage and Baggage Delay – which is especially important if you’re planning to indulge in the high-end, luxury shopping opportunities throughout the country. Our Deluxe Plan already includes the Baggage Bundle, making it even easier to help ensure you have the coverage you may need! All Travel Guard plans include 24/7 emergency travel assistance, we're there to help when you need it.

Travel insurance plans typically cost between 5-7% of the total price of your trip. There are several factors that come into play when pricing your plan, which may include the product you select and the number of travelers in your party. For more details on pricing, check out our article on how much a travel insurance plan costs.

To help ensure visitors to the UAE are as safe and informed as possible, Travel Guard compiled some popular questions asked by tourists traveling the country.

The official currency of the Emirates is the dirham (AED). Travelers can exchange currency before their departure at most U.S. banks or currency kiosks at the airport. Most major cities throughout the UAE, like Dubai, will have currency exchange centers at hotels, public markets, malls or ATMs. Credit cards are the primary payment method used in the UAE, making many transactions even easier. Be sure to check with your bank to see what your international transaction fees are before you go.

The official language of the UAE is Arabic, though many citizens are bilingual in both Arabic and English. Especially in large cities like Dubai, you’ll likely have very little issue communicating in English. Of course, it’s always best practice and appreciated when visitors learn key words and phrases in the local language.

U.S. citizens traveling to the UAE for less than 30 days can obtain a Visa-on-Arrival upon entering the country. Requirements for this visitor visa include a regular (non-emergency) passport and a gender marker of M or F on the passport. Travelers should be aware that the UAE government does not accept passports with the X gender marker, and travelers with these passports will be denied entry to the country.

The U.S. Embassy is in Dubai. Visit the official U.S. Embassy government website for a list of up-to-date phone numbers and addresses.

The Emirates has a desert climate meaning the weather is very hot and humid in the summer months of June to September, with August typically being the hottest month. Temperatures can rise all the way up to 120° F on the hottest days. Meanwhile the winter months of December to March tend to have pleasant temperatures averaging around 70° F.

The most popular time to visit the UAE is from October to April, which is when the temperatures start to cool down compared to the hot, humid months in the summertime. While May, September and October are less popular, travelers can still experience bearable temperatures and may get better deals on airfare and lodging, especially with tourism slowing down during this time. The cheapest time of year to visit is from June to August, since the heat is very intense making it unpleasant for most travelers. 

The dial code for the UAE is +971 and can be used to connect to cell phones and landlines in the country. Remember to use the exit code of +11 when placing international calls from the U.S. and include the area code of the city or town you’re calling. Remember when calling internationally, landlines are typically more affordable than connecting to a cell phone so be sure to contact your phone provider for cost estimates and to let them know of your travel plans to best avoid unwanted interruption during your trip.

A voltage and outlet adaptor will be needed to use your electronics as normal in the UAE. We recommend a universal outlet and transformer adaptor that can be used on other trips in the future.

Unfortunately, the UAE has outlawed homosexuality, making it unsafe for LGBTQ+ travelers to be true to themselves while visiting the country. While visiting is still an option, it’s important to follow safety tips to protect yourself during travel.

A SIM card is a great option for travelers to avoid paying international roaming fees. You can purchase a SIM card upon arrival either in a major city like Dubai or within the airport when you arrive.

There are plenty of options when it comes to traveling around the UAE, popular options include tram, buses, taxis or even hiring a private car.

Travel Guard offers comprehensive and customizable travel insurance plans for travelers visiting the United Arab Emirates. With excellent coverage and specialized emergency travel assistance representatives ready to help you at any time, Travel Guard is there for you. Compare our popular plans and find the best one for you!