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Aetna International vs National General Insurance

UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026

Aetna International

private

5,920 providers

2 plans

Est. 1853

DHA, HAAD regulated

National General Insurance

private

4,955 providers

2 plans

Est. 1980

DHA, HAAD regulated

Aetna International has 2 plans starting from AED 7,000/yr with 5,920 providers across 8 cities. National General Insurance has 2 plans starting from AED 2,000/yr with 4,955 providers across 8 cities. Aetna International is strongest in Dubai while National General Insurance has the most providers in Abu Dhabi.

Aetna International vs National General Insurance — At a Glance

AttributeAetna InternationalNational General Insurance
Typeprivateprivate
Founded18531980
HeadquartersDubaiDubai
RegulatorsDHA, HAADDHA, HAAD
Number of Plans22
Premium RangeAED 7,000 – 36,000AED 2,000 – 9,000
Total Network Size5,9204,955
Cities Covered88
DentalYesYes
OpticalYesNo
MaternityYesYes
Mental HealthYesNo
InternationalYesNo
Co-pay Range0% – 20%20%
Claims Phone800-42386202-619-1100

Coverage columns reflect whether at least one plan from the insurer includes that benefit. Premiums are indicative annual ranges.

Network Comparison by City

CityAetna InternationalvsNational General Insurance
Dubai
3,714
vs
1,745
Abu Dhabi
1,250
vs
1,809
Sharjah
387
vs
585
Al Ain
218
vs
471
Ajman
146
vs
158
Ras Al Khaimah
112
vs
103
Fujairah
76
vs
61
Umm Al Quwain
17
vs
23

Provider counts from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory. Green highlights the city leader.

Aetna International Plans

Aetna International

Aetna Core Health

Enhanced

Expat professionals and families in the UAE

AED 7,000 – 13,000/yr

Annual limit: AED 1.0M · semi-private room · 20% co-pay

Dental (AED 4,000)
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
International coverage includedCVS Health global networkMental health and EAP support

5,920 providers

View details →

Aetna International

Aetna Premier

Premium

Senior executives and HNW expats requiring global coverage

AED 19,000 – 36,000/yr

Annual limit: AED 2.0M · private room · 0% co-pay

Dental (AED 12,000)
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Zero co-payPrivate roomWorldwide coverage including USA

5,920 providers

View details →

National General Insurance Plans

National General Insurance

NGI Basic Health

Basic

Blue-collar and mid-level employees in Abu Dhabi

AED 2,000 – 3,800/yr

Annual limit: AED 200,000 · shared room · 20% co-pay

Dental
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
HAAD compliantMost affordable Abu Dhabi plansSimple no-frills coverage

4,955 providers

View details →

National General Insurance

NGI Enhanced Health

Enhanced

White-collar employees and families in Abu Dhabi

AED 4,500 – 9,000/yr

Annual limit: AED 400,000 · semi-private room · 20% co-pay

Dental (AED 2,500)
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Dental coverage includedSemi-private roomAbu Dhabi private hospital access

4,955 providers

View details →

Verdict

Choose Aetna International if you need a larger provider network, more comprehensive coverage options. Choose National General Insurance if you prioritise lower entry-level premiums. Both are established insurers in the UAE market. The best choice depends on your employer's plan options, budget, required coverage, and preferred hospital network in your city.

Aetna International vs National General Insurance — FAQ

Which is better, Aetna International or National General Insurance?

It depends on your needs. Aetna International has 5,920 providers across 8 cities and offers 2 plans starting from AED 7,000/yr. National General Insurance has 4,955 providers across 8 cities with 2 plans from AED 2,000/yr. Choose Aetna International if you need a larger provider network, more comprehensive coverage options. Choose National General Insurance if you prioritise lower entry-level premiums.

Is Aetna International cheaper than National General Insurance?

No, National General Insurance's entry-level plan starts from AED 2,000/yr, while Aetna International's cheapest plan begins at AED 7,000/yr. Pricing varies significantly by age, nationality, and plan tier, so obtain personalised quotes from both insurers.

Which has a bigger network in Dubai, Aetna International or National General Insurance?

Aetna International has a larger Dubai network with 3,714 providers, compared to National General Insurance's 1,745 providers. This includes hospitals, clinics, dental practices, and specialist centres listed in the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.

Does Aetna International or National General Insurance cover dental?

Both insurers offer dental coverage on their enhanced and premium plans. Aetna International's dental sub-limit goes up to AED 12,000/yr, while National General Insurance offers up to AED 2,500/yr. Basic plans from both insurers typically exclude dental.

Can I switch from Aetna International to National General Insurance?

Yes, you can switch insurers during your policy renewal period. In the UAE, health insurance is typically renewed annually. When switching from Aetna International to National General Insurance (or vice versa), be aware of: (1) Pre-existing condition waiting periods may restart — check the new insurer's policy, (2) Maternity waiting periods usually reset, (3) Any ongoing treatment authorisations need to be re-submitted. Coordinate with your employer's HR department if on a group plan. Both Aetna International and National General Insurance have dedicated claims and onboarding teams to facilitate the transition.

How do I compare Aetna International and National General Insurance plans?

Use the UAE Health Insurance Navigator on this page to compare Aetna International and National General Insurance side-by-side. Key factors to compare: (1) Annual premium — Aetna International starts from AED 7,000/yr, National General Insurance from AED 2,000/yr, (2) Network size — 5,920 vs 4,955 providers, (3) Coverage — dental, optical, maternity, and mental health inclusion, (4) Co-pay percentages, and (5) Provider availability in your city. Scroll down for the full comparison table.

Disclaimer: Plan details, premiums, and network sizes are indicative, based on publicly available UAE insurance market data. Obtain personalised quotes from Aetna International and National General Insurance or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory, last verified March 2026.