The past few weeks have changed something in Ras Al Khaimah. Conversations at the school gate, in WhatsApp groups, at the marina — the same topic keeps coming up. People who never thought about evacuation plans are making them. People who assumed their insurance covered everything are checking the fine print for the first time.
And what many are finding isn’t reassuring.
If you’re a UAE resident wondering whether your current insurance actually protects you in a conflict scenario — this guide is for you. If you haven’t already, read our RAK Expat Crisis Guide for the full picture of what’s happening on the ground.
What Is War Risk Insurance?
War risk insurance is coverage that specifically protects you, your assets, or your income against losses caused by acts of war, political violence, terrorism, or civil unrest.
The key word is specifically. Because here’s the thing most people don’t realise until it’s too late: standard insurance policies — health, life, home, and travel — almost universally exclude war and conflict.
That exclusion clause is buried in the fine print. It’s been there for decades. Most people in peaceful times never think to look for it.
What Your Current Insurance Probably Doesn’t Cover
Let’s go through the main policy types UAE residents hold:
your UAE insurance
Health Insurance
Your mandatory UAE health insurance covers medical treatment. But if your injury or illness is directly caused by an act of war, many policies include a war exclusion clause that can allow the insurer to deny the claim. Coverage varies significantly by provider — some international health insurers (like Cigna Global or AXA International) have more generous terms than locally issued plans.
Action: Pull out your policy document and search for the words “war,” “terrorism,” and “political risk.” Read what it says carefully.
Life Insurance
Standard life insurance — whether locally issued in the UAE or through an offshore provider — typically excludes death caused directly by war. If you die as a civilian caught in a conflict zone, your beneficiaries may find the claim disputed.
International life policies (issued in jurisdictions like Isle of Man or Guernsey) often have more nuanced terms, and some do cover accidental death in conflict situations for non-combatants. But you need to verify this explicitly with your provider.
Home and Contents Insurance
Damage to your property caused by war, invasion, or acts of foreign enemies is almost always excluded from standard home insurance in the UAE. Terrorism coverage is sometimes available as an add-on — but again, it must be specifically included.
Travel Insurance
If you’re planning travel out of the UAE, or have family visiting, note that most travel insurance policies exclude cancellations and disruptions caused by war — unless you purchased a Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) upgrade before the conflict began. Once a situation is classified as a “known event,” it’s generally no longer insurable under standard travel policies.
So What Can You Actually Do?
to UAE residents
Here are the practical options available to UAE residents right now:
1. Review Your Existing Policies — Urgently
Don’t assume. Contact your insurer directly and ask: “Does my policy cover death, injury, or property damage caused by an act of war or terrorism?” Get the answer in writing.
2. International Health Insurance With Conflict Coverage
Some international health insurers offer plans that explicitly include coverage in conflict zones for civilian policyholders. Providers worth investigating include:
- Cigna Global — known for broader conflict-adjacent coverage
- AXA International — offers various international plans with optional extensions
- APRIL International — expat-focused with flexible coverage tiers
- Allianz Care — international plans with evacuation benefits
Note: premiums for these plans are higher than standard UAE-issued health insurance, but they exist for exactly this reason.
3. Emergency Evacuation Insurance
This is arguably the most practical purchase for a UAE resident during a period of tension. Standalone emergency evacuation policies — sometimes called medical evacuation or security evacuation insurance — will cover the cost of getting you and your family out if the situation deteriorates.
Companies like International SOS, Global Rescue, and Healix International offer these services. Some are membership-based rather than traditional insurance policies.
Expect to pay anywhere from USD 300–600 per year for an individual, more for families.
Before you need it, make sure you also know who to call in an emergency in RAK.
4. Political Risk Insurance (For Business Owners)
If you own a business, have assets, or are a freelancer/investor in the UAE, political risk insurance protects against expropriation, forced abandonment of assets, and business interruption caused by political events. This is typically arranged through specialist brokers — not retail insurers.
5. Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) Travel Cover
If you have upcoming travel, check whether your travel insurer offers CFAR as an add-on. This allows you to cancel for any reason — including conflict anxiety — and recover a portion (typically 50–75%) of non-refundable costs. It must be purchased before the destination becomes a “known risk.”
The Honest Reality for RAK Residents
Ras Al Khaimah is not a conflict zone. The UAE government has positioned the country as neutral, and RAK specifically is geographically removed from any active flashpoints. The risk to residents here is low.
But “low risk” and “no risk” are not the same thing. And for expats with families, mortgages, savings, and lives built here — the question of what happens if things escalate is a legitimate one worth addressing now, not later.
The smartest thing you can do right now is spend 30 minutes reviewing what you actually have — not what you assume you have.
Quick Checklist: Insurance Audit for UAE Expats
- Read your health insurance policy’s exclusions section
- Ask your insurer in writing whether war/terrorism is covered
- Check your life insurance policy for conflict-related exclusions
- Check your home insurance for war and terrorism exclusions
- Consider whether emergency evacuation cover makes sense for your family
- If you have dependents in home country, review their coverage too
- For business owners: speak to a specialist broker about political risk cover
Getting Advice
Insurance is complex, and the right cover depends on your nationality, visa type, employer situation, and risk tolerance. If you’re unsure what you need, speak to a licensed independent insurance broker in the UAE rather than going direct to a provider — they can compare options across multiple insurers.
The Central Bank of the UAE regulates insurance companies operating in the country. You can verify any insurer’s license status at cbuae.gov.ae.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or insurance advice. Always consult a licensed professional for guidance specific to your situation.
