mazyaz

Hi there,

My wife and I are moving to Abu Dhabi in September and we are trying to get as much info together before we go.

I was wondering if people could recommend utility companies out there to use for gas/electricity, water, TV, internet, phone, home insurance etc? Is it the same as the UK in the respect that you can choose based on price, or are some things standard? Is there a website like a moneysupermarket that enables you to do price comparisons and then choose?

Any advice/recommendations would be hugely appreciated. We don't know anything about any of the providers out there and so would be good to have a head start!

Thanks!

csdf

Gas: monopoly or LPG, depending on building
Electricity: monopoly
Water: monopoly
TV: choice between one satellite monopoly or a cable monopoly
internet: monopoly or duopoly depending on where you live
phone: as with internet

thebmhousehold

Thanks for this. What about things like elec, home insurance?

Is there a site like a moneysupermarket where they do deals/promos etc?

mikewot

There was one but it was encouraging too much competition so it's pretty dead now. You've just got to ring round and ask for quotes.

csdf

I'm not sure why a monopoly would ever be interested in offering deals?

As for insurance, there are only 2 or 3 providers so you can use all the time you saved from not having to compare prices for water, electricity, gas, telephone and internet to phone them up and get a quote.

mikewot

Sorry I wasn't clear. Insurance is free market. Water, power, internet, phones (inc mobiles) are state run.

Tockalosh

it takes away all the stress having no options

I love that here

Millhouse

Agreed. No arguments when the misses changes the provider without you knowing.

www.insureme.ae for insurance. Ask for Jonah.

Tockalosh

Do you generally insure the villa itself as well if you are renting or is it like the UK and you insure the contents and the LL insures the building

Forgot to look at what the contract says and don't have it to hand

Millhouse

you do the contents only.

Tockalosh

Ta v much

Container clear on the 5th and can finally move in