Cigna vs Union Insurance
UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026
Cigna
private8,805 providers
3 plans
Est. 1982
DHA, DOH, MOHAP regulated
Union Insurance
private1,691 providers
2 plans
Est. 1998
DOH, DHA regulated
Cigna has 3 plans from AED 3,500 a year and 8,805 in-network providers in 8 cities. Union Insurance has 2 plans from AED 2,300 a year and 1,691 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.
Cigna vs Union Insurance — At a Glance
| Attribute | Cigna | Union Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Type | private | private |
| Founded | 1982 | 1998 |
| Headquarters | Dubai | Dubai |
| Regulators | DHA, DOH, MOHAP | DOH, DHA |
| Number of Plans | 3 | 2 |
| Premium Range | AED 3,500 – 40,000 | AED 2,300 – 10,500 |
| Total Network Size | 8,805 | 1,691 |
| Cities Covered | 8 | 8 |
| Dental | Yes | Yes |
| Optical | Yes | Yes |
| Maternity | Yes | Yes |
| Mental Health | Yes | Yes |
| International | Yes | No |
| Co-pay Range | 0% – 20% | 20% |
| Claims Phone | 800-244627 | 02-677-5050 |
Coverage columns reflect whether at least one plan from the insurer includes that benefit. Premiums are indicative annual ranges.
Network Comparison by City
| City | Cigna | vs | Union Insurance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | 4,798 | vs | 902 |
| Abu Dhabi | 2,082 | vs | 388 |
| Sharjah | 952 | vs | 231 |
| Al Ain | 384 | vs | 36 |
| Ajman | 255 | vs | 72 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | 184 | vs | 32 |
| Fujairah | 116 | vs | 25 |
| Umm Al Quwain | 34 | vs | 5 |
Provider counts from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory. Green highlights the city leader.
Cigna Plans
Cigna
Cigna Essential Care
Individuals and small businesses meeting UAE mandatory requirements
AED 3,500 – 6,000/yr
Annual limit: AED 250,000 · shared room · 20% co-pay
8,805 providers
View details →Cigna
Cigna Global Health Options
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
8,805 providers
View details →Cigna
Cigna Global Health Platinum
C-suite executives and high-net-worth families
AED 20,000 – 40,000/yr
Annual limit: Unlimited · private room · 0% co-pay
8,805 providers
View details →Union Insurance Plans
Union Insurance
Union Basic Health
SMEs in Abu Dhabi and Dubai meeting mandatory requirements
AED 2,300 – 4,200/yr
Annual limit: AED 200,000 · shared room · 20% co-pay
1,691 providers
View details →Union Insurance
Union Enhanced Health
Corporate employees and families in Abu Dhabi and Dubai
AED 5,000 – 10,500/yr
Annual limit: AED 500,000 · semi-private room · 20% co-pay
1,691 providers
View details →Verdict
Choose Cigna if you need a larger provider network, more plan tiers to choose from, more comprehensive coverage options. Choose Union 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 Union Insurance — FAQ
Which is better, Cigna or Union Insurance?
It depends on your needs. Cigna has 8,805 providers across 8 cities and offers 3 plans starting from AED 3,500/yr. Union Insurance has 1,691 providers across 8 cities with 2 plans from AED 2,300/yr. Choose Cigna if you need a larger provider network, more plan tiers to choose from, more comprehensive coverage options. Choose Union Insurance if you prioritise lower entry-level premiums.
Is Cigna cheaper than Union Insurance?
No, Union Insurance's entry-level plan starts from AED 2,300/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 Union Insurance?
Cigna has a larger Dubai network with 4,798 providers, compared to Union Insurance's 902 providers. This includes hospitals, clinics, dental practices, and specialist centres listed in the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.
Does Cigna or Union 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 Union Insurance offers up to AED 3,000/yr. Basic plans from both insurers typically exclude dental.
Can I switch from Cigna to Union 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 Union 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 Union Insurance have dedicated claims and onboarding teams to facilitate the transition.
How do I compare Cigna and Union Insurance plans?
Use the UAE Health Insurance Navigator on this page to compare Cigna and Union Insurance side-by-side. Key factors to compare: (1) Annual premium — Cigna starts from AED 3,500/yr, Union Insurance from AED 2,300/yr, (2) Network size — 8,805 vs 1,691 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.
Related Comparisons
Disclaimer: Plan details, premiums, and network sizes are indicative, based on publicly available UAE insurance market data. Obtain personalised quotes from Cigna and Union Insurance or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.