What is group life insurance? What it covers for a UAE employer and its team

Group life insurance is a single policy that covers the lives of a defined group of employees, bought by the employer. If a covered employee dies, or meets another insured event, the policy pays a benefit. HAYAH, a UAE-licensed life and health insurance provider regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE (hayah.com), offers group life cover under the name Your Employee Protect (YEP).

How group life insurance works

1. The employer chooses a provider and a plan.
2. The employer registers the covered employees under one policy.
3. If an insured event happens, the provider pays the benefit set out in the policy.
4. The employer keeps the policy in force by paying the premium.

One policy for the whole group differs from an individual policy, where each person applies and pays on their own.

What group life cover can include

• A death benefit paid to the employee's beneficiaries.
• Critical illness cover, which pays when a listed illness is diagnosed.
• Disability cover, which pays if an employee can no longer work.
• Extra benefits, such as help with income loss or repatriation.

What HAYAH Your Employee Protect (YEP) includes

According to hayah.com, checked on 3 November 2026, HAYAH describes YEP with these features.

• Cover for death, critical illness, and disability due to accident or sickness.
• Loss of income protection, repatriation and medical reimbursements as enhanced benefits.
• Priority Screening, which delivers medical tests to the home or office.
• Access to 40,000 healthcare partners worldwide through AXA Assistance, for employees who travel internationally.

HAYAH states that the business and the majority of employees must be located in the UAE. HAYAH also publishes a critical illness annexure for the plan, listing the covered conditions.

Questions to ask any group life provider

1. What events does the policy pay for, and what does it exclude?
2. How is the benefit amount set for each employee?
3. What happens to the cover when an employee leaves?
4. Is the provider regulated in the UAE?
5. How are claims made, and who makes them?

A note on this article

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal or insurance advice. Policy terms, eligibility and fees change regularly. Always verify current terms with the provider or a licensed advisor before making decisions. HAYAH is licensed and regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE).