Citizens report that the ease of traveling to many countries without a prior visa has led them to embark on journeys without purchasing travel insurance, only to later discover that any sudden health or logistical emergency can place them before unforeseen financial obligations and emergency bills. They told "Emirates Today" that the visa exemption for many countries does not require attaching a travel insurance document to the official paperwork, which leads some to consider insurance a non-essential procedure. They emphasized that travel insurance is not just a formality, but a real necessity that protects travelers from unexpected surprises and is an investment in their comfort and safety. On the other hand, two officials from travel and insurance companies stated that travel insurance is one of the essential elements that citizens should prioritize before traveling. They stressed the importance of promoting a culture of travel insurance and viewing it as an investment in personal safety rather than an extra cost, noting that insurance documents provide comprehensive coverage for emergencies and alleviate the heavy burdens that may result from accidents. They also mentioned that these documents can be easily purchased online.
Citizens' Experiences Citizens shared their experiences of traveling without insurance with "Emirates Today." One of them, Umm Ahmed, said: "Emirati citizens enjoy great privileges when traveling to many countries around the world without a prior visa, however, this feature hides something that some do not pay attention to, which is traveling without an insurance document and the financial burdens that result from emergency situations." She added: "I went on a short vacation to a European country and did not think about buying travel insurance, but a sudden health issue forced my mother to visit a medical center in that country, where we were asked to pay a large amount before receiving treatment, something we were not prepared for." Umm Ahmed confirmed that she only realized the importance of travel insurance after this incident, considering that awareness of this aspect is still limited, especially given the ease of travel.
Lost Luggage In turn, citizen Aisha Al-Marzuki stated that losing her luggage during a foreign trip caused her a real crisis, especially since it contained important and expensive items. She confirmed that the lack of insurance forced her to bear large financial losses due to the lost luggage, noting that while airlines compensate travelers in such cases, the amount remains extremely limited. Al-Marzuki added that travel insurance is not a formality, but a real necessity that protects travelers from unexpected surprises, stressing the importance of enhancing awareness of its importance, especially as the number of citizens traveling abroad without prior visa requirements and accompanying documents increases. She believes that the ease of traveling to many countries without a visa makes many citizens overlook the importance of insurance in foreign trips.
Emergency Bills In the same context, citizen Ibrahim Al-Raisi said: "Some travelers go without any insurance coverage, believing that it is optional or unnecessary, only to find themselves facing unexpected bills later." He shared his experience, saying: "I missed my connecting flight and was forced to book a hotel, buy necessities, and travel at my own expense. If I had travel insurance, these costs would have been reimbursed." He explained that he later discovered that the cost of travel insurance is very small compared to the amounts he paid. Al-Raisi said: "The government takes care of its citizens abroad and provides the necessary support when needed, but I advise citizens that good travel planning also includes obtaining insurance that covers potential risks."
Citizen Salem Al-Mansouri said that he had to cancel a flight with his family hours before departure due to an emergency, losing a large sum of money depending on the ticket category he purchased. He noted that he later discovered that his travel insurance covered the situation he encountered. He added: "Travel insurance is usually linked only to obtaining a visa, but the experience has taught us that it is a necessity and an investment in the traveler's comfort and safety." Al-Mansouri confirmed that traveling without insurance can turn a leisure or business trip into an unexpected crisis, making it a necessity that protects the traveler from surprises.
Personal Safety Meanwhile, the Executive Director of "Dubai World Travel," Badr Ahli, said: "Amid the increasing volume of travel and the diversity of destinations for citizens around the world, the importance of travel insurance as one of the key elements that citizens should prioritize before traveling is highlighted." Ahli added: "Due to the lack of a visa requirement, some overlook the importance of purchasing travel insurance, which has become a real necessity dictated by the nature of modern travel and its associated challenges. A traveler may face a sudden health issue, an accident, lose their luggage, or have their flights canceled or delayed, all of which can lead to high financial costs, especially in countries with high healthcare costs or service costs in general." Ahli called for enhancing the culture of travel insurance and viewing it as an investment in personal safety rather than an extra cost, stressing the importance of choosing a comprehensive insurance policy that suits the nature, duration, and destination of the trip.
Insurance Coverage Insurance consultant and expert Muhammad Musa Al-Shawahin said: "Travel insurance documents primarily cover emergency medical cases, accidents, loss of luggage, as well as loss of travel documents and tickets, flight delays, and other related procedures." He noted that this coverage extends for a specific period corresponding to the duration of the trip, whether it is a single trip or multiple trips within a year, and includes all destinations specified in the document or all countries of the world if the policy states so, providing the traveler with comprehensive financial protection. Al-Shawahin added: "The insurance document should specify the coverage period, the type of trip, the covered destinations, and the benefit categories, whether it is a short single trip or multiple trips throughout the year. This flexibility ensures comprehensive protection against emergency situations." He emphasized that "the cost of these documents is very reasonable and varies to suit the needs of different travelers." Al-Shawahin confirmed that "insurance documents provide comprehensive protection, covering emergencies and alleviating the heavy burdens that may result from such incidents." He noted that these documents can be easily purchased online by entering data and paying within minutes after reviewing the benefit schedule and coverage terms.
The Strongest Passport A travel insurance document is required as a condition for obtaining a prior visa. Meanwhile, the UAE has maintained its position as the world's most powerful passport for the seventh consecutive year, according to the "Passport Index 2025." Emirati citizens can enter 129 countries without a visa, obtain a visa upon arrival in 45 countries, and use an electronic travel authorization in eight countries. The cost of travel insurance starts from approximately 60 dirhams for short trips and increases based on the duration of travel, the destination, and the type of coverage chosen, whether basic or comprehensive. Travel insurance is not a formality, but a real necessity that protects travelers from unexpected surprises and is an investment in their comfort and safety.
