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Cigna vs National General Insurance

UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026

Cigna

private

8,960 providers

3 plans

Est. 1982

DHA, HAAD, MOHAP regulated

National General Insurance

private

4,955 providers

2 plans

Est. 1980

DHA, HAAD regulated

Cigna has 3 plans starting from AED 3,500/yr with 8,960 providers across 8 cities. National General Insurance has 2 plans starting from AED 2,000/yr with 4,955 providers across 8 cities. Cigna is strongest in Dubai while National General Insurance has the most providers in Abu Dhabi.

Cigna vs National General Insurance — At a Glance

AttributeCignaNational General Insurance
Typeprivateprivate
Founded19821980
HeadquartersDubaiDubai
RegulatorsDHA, HAAD, MOHAPDHA, HAAD
Number of Plans32
Premium RangeAED 3,500 – 40,000AED 2,000 – 9,000
Total Network Size8,9604,955
Cities Covered88
DentalYesYes
OpticalYesNo
MaternityYesYes
Mental HealthYesNo
InternationalYesNo
Co-pay Range0% – 20%20%
Claims Phone800-24462702-619-1100

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

Network Comparison by City

CityCignavsNational General Insurance
Dubai
4,900
vs
1,745
Abu Dhabi
2,121
vs
1,809
Sharjah
958
vs
585
Al Ain
389
vs
471
Ajman
257
vs
158
Ras Al Khaimah
184
vs
103
Fujairah
117
vs
61
Umm Al Quwain
34
vs
23

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

Cigna Plans

Cigna

Cigna Essential Care

Basic

Individuals and small businesses meeting UAE mandatory requirements

AED 3,500 – 6,000/yr

Annual limit: AED 250,000 · shared room · 20% co-pay

Dental
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
DHA and HAAD compliantCigna telehealth includedMulti-emirate coverage

8,960 providers

View details →

Cigna

Cigna Global Health Options

Enhanced

Expat professionals and families wanting flexible global-local coverage

AED 8,000 – 16,000/yr

Annual limit: AED 1.0M · semi-private room · 10% co-pay

Dental (AED 5,000)
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
International coverage for emergenciesLow 10% co-payTelehealth consultations included

8,960 providers

View details →

Cigna

Cigna Global Health Platinum

Premium

C-suite executives and high-net-worth families

AED 20,000 – 40,000/yr

Annual limit: Unlimited · private room · 0% co-pay

Dental (AED 15,000)
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Unlimited annual coverageZero co-pay globallyWorldwide coverage including USA

8,960 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 Cigna 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.

Cigna vs National General Insurance — FAQ

Which is better, Cigna or National General Insurance?

It depends on your needs. Cigna has 8,960 providers across 8 cities and offers 3 plans starting from AED 3,500/yr. National General Insurance has 4,955 providers across 8 cities with 2 plans from AED 2,000/yr. Choose Cigna 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 Cigna cheaper than National General Insurance?

No, National General Insurance's entry-level plan starts from AED 2,000/yr, while Cigna's cheapest plan begins at AED 3,500/yr. Pricing varies significantly by age, nationality, and plan tier, so obtain personalised quotes from both insurers.

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

Cigna has a larger Dubai network with 4,900 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 Cigna or National General Insurance cover dental?

Both insurers offer dental coverage on their enhanced and premium plans. Cigna's dental sub-limit goes up to AED 15,000/yr, while National General Insurance offers up to AED 2,500/yr. Basic plans from both insurers typically exclude dental.

Can I switch from Cigna 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 Cigna 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 Cigna and National General Insurance have dedicated claims and onboarding teams to facilitate the transition.

How do I compare Cigna and National General Insurance plans?

Use the UAE Health Insurance Navigator on this page to compare Cigna and National General Insurance side-by-side. Key factors to compare: (1) Annual premium — Cigna starts from AED 3,500/yr, National General Insurance from AED 2,000/yr, (2) Network size — 8,960 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 Cigna and National General Insurance or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory, last verified March 2026.