AXA vs National General Insurance
UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026
AXA
private9,190 providers
3 plans
Est. 1985
DHA, DOH, MOHAP regulated
National General Insurance
private1,417 providers
2 plans
Est. 1980
DHA, DOH regulated
AXA has 3 plans from AED 3,000 a year and 9,190 in-network providers in 8 cities. National General Insurance has 2 plans from AED 2,000 a year and 1,417 in-network providers in 8 cities. Both insurers have the most providers in Dubai. Network counts are providers in the UAE Open Healthcare Directory that list each insurer; premiums are indicative.
AXA vs National General Insurance — At a Glance
| Attribute | AXA | National General Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Type | private | private |
| Founded | 1985 | 1980 |
| Headquarters | Dubai (Gulf HQ) | Dubai |
| Regulators | DHA, DOH, MOHAP | DHA, DOH |
| Number of Plans | 3 | 2 |
| Premium Range | AED 3,000 – 35,000 | AED 2,000 – 9,000 |
| Total Network Size | 9,190 | 1,417 |
| Cities Covered | 8 | 8 |
| Dental | Yes | Yes |
| Optical | Yes | No |
| Maternity | Yes | Yes |
| Mental Health | Yes | No |
| International | Yes | No |
| Co-pay Range | 0% – 20% | 20% |
| Claims Phone | 800-292 | 02-619-1100 |
Coverage columns reflect whether at least one plan from the insurer includes that benefit. Premiums are indicative annual ranges.
Network Comparison by City
| City | AXA | vs | National General Insurance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | 4,900 | vs | 728 |
| Abu Dhabi | 2,098 | vs | 292 |
| Sharjah | 1,123 | vs | 192 |
| Al Ain | 427 | vs | 83 |
| Ajman | 266 | vs | 54 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | 216 | vs | 32 |
| Fujairah | 133 | vs | 22 |
| Umm Al Quwain | 27 | vs | 14 |
Provider counts from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory. Green highlights the city leader.
AXA Plans
AXA
AXA SmartHealth Essential
Individuals and small companies meeting mandatory requirements
AED 3,000 – 5,500/yr
Annual limit: AED 250,000 · shared room · 20% co-pay
9,190 providers
View details →AXA
AXA SmartHealth Gold
Corporate employees and families seeking comprehensive coverage
AED 7,000 – 14,000/yr
Annual limit: AED 750,000 · semi-private room · 20% co-pay
9,190 providers
View details →AXA
AXA SmartHealth Platinum
Senior executives and high-net-worth individuals
AED 18,000 – 35,000/yr
Annual limit: AED 2.0M · private room · 0% co-pay
9,190 providers
View details →National General Insurance Plans
National General Insurance
NGI Basic Health
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
1,417 providers
View details →National General Insurance
NGI Enhanced Health
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
1,417 providers
View details →Verdict
Choose AXA if you need a larger provider network, more plan tiers to choose from, 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.
AXA vs National General Insurance — FAQ
Which is better, AXA or National General Insurance?
It depends on your needs. AXA has 9,190 providers across 8 cities and offers 3 plans starting from AED 3,000/yr. National General Insurance has 1,417 providers across 8 cities with 2 plans from AED 2,000/yr. Choose AXA if you need a larger provider network, more plan tiers to choose from, more comprehensive coverage options. Choose National General Insurance if you prioritise lower entry-level premiums.
Is AXA cheaper than National General Insurance?
No, National General Insurance's entry-level plan starts from AED 2,000/yr, while AXA's cheapest plan begins at AED 3,000/yr. Pricing varies significantly by age, nationality, and plan tier, so obtain personalised quotes from both insurers.
Which has a bigger network in Dubai, AXA or National General Insurance?
AXA has a larger Dubai network with 4,900 providers, compared to National General Insurance's 728 providers. This includes hospitals, clinics, dental practices, and specialist centres listed in the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.
Does AXA or National General Insurance cover dental?
Both insurers offer dental coverage on their enhanced and premium plans. AXA's dental sub-limit goes up to AED 10,000/yr, while National General Insurance offers up to AED 2,500/yr. Basic plans from both insurers typically exclude dental.
Can I switch from AXA 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 AXA 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 AXA and National General Insurance have dedicated claims and onboarding teams to facilitate the transition.
How do I compare AXA and National General Insurance plans?
Use the UAE Health Insurance Navigator on this page to compare AXA and National General Insurance side-by-side. Key factors to compare: (1) Annual premium — AXA starts from AED 3,000/yr, National General Insurance from AED 2,000/yr, (2) Network size — 9,190 vs 1,417 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.
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Disclaimer: Plan details, premiums, and network sizes are indicative, based on publicly available UAE insurance market data. Obtain personalised quotes from AXA and National General Insurance or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.