It isn't mandatory to get home insurance if you're renting, but it still makes a lot of sense. When you rent an apartment, it may only have the building's structure insured, not your belongings or the contents of your home.

If you intend to live in the UAE for a considerable time, you should look into insuring your home's content and personal belongings. If they get damaged, you will have to pay for replacements through your pocket, which is inconvenient and devastating at worst. Is that a risk you're willing to take?