I want to share a personal struggle that I believe many working parents in the UAE may understand.
I work hard, earn a monthly salary, and do my best to provide for my family. Like many employees, I have to manage rent, household expenses, children's needs, and other financial commitments.
But now, I'm facing a difficult question: How can an ordinary salaried employee afford health insurance for the entire family when premiums keep increasing?
I'm currently trying to arrange health insurance for my young daughter. I expected the process to be straightforward, but I've encountered high premiums, additional charges for child-only insurance, and different quotations from different insurance providers.
The additional premium I've been quoted varies from around 50% to 80%, depending on the provider. Some providers have also raised questions about whether both parents are insured.
This leaves me wondering: if I want to insure my entire family, how much of my monthly salary am I expected to spend just to make sure my wife and children can access healthcare?
My salary may be enough to manage our normal family expenses, but with rising insurance premiums, comprehensive family coverage is becoming increasingly difficult to afford.
I understand that insurance companies are businesses and that premiums depend on coverage, risk, and underwriting. However, when prices differ so significantly between providers, ordinary families need more transparency.
Why are parents facing such different additional charges for similar circumstances?
Why is it so difficult to find affordable insurance for a child when the employer does not provide family coverage?
And what options are available for employees whose salaries cannot comfortably absorb the cost of insuring every family member separately?
I'm not asking for free insurance. I'm asking for a fair, transparent, and affordable option that allows working parents to protect their families without putting themselves under serious financial pressure.
The UAE is home to millions of hardworking families. Many employees contribute to the country and work hard to build a secure future for their children. But healthcare costs are an important part of that responsibility, and family insurance needs to remain financially realistic.
A parent should not have to choose between meeting the family's basic living expenses and ensuring that their child has access to medical care.
I would genuinely like to hear from others:
- How much are you paying for health insurance for your family in the UAE?
- Have your premiums increased at renewal?
- Have you faced extra charges when trying to insure your child separately?
- Are there any affordable, reliable options for family coverage?
I'm sharing my experience because I know I'm not the only parent facing this struggle.
Perhaps it's time for more open discussion about the affordability and transparency of family health insurance in the UAE.
Working hard to provide for our families should give us peace of mind, not leave us worrying about whether we can afford to insure them.