Daman vs GIG Gulf
UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026
Daman
mandatory9,391 providers
3 plans
Est. 2005
DOH regulated
GIG Gulf
private782 providers
3 plans
Est. 1962
DHA, DOH, MOHAP regulated
Daman has 3 plans from AED 600 a year and 9,391 in-network providers in 8 cities. GIG Gulf has 3 plans from AED 2,800 a year and 782 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.
Daman vs GIG Gulf — At a Glance
| Attribute | Daman | GIG Gulf |
|---|---|---|
| Type | mandatory | private |
| Founded | 2005 | 1962 |
| Headquarters | Abu Dhabi | Kuwait / Dubai |
| Regulators | DOH | DHA, DOH, MOHAP |
| Number of Plans | 3 | 3 |
| Premium Range | AED 600 – 25,000 | AED 2,800 – 28,000 |
| Total Network Size | 9,391 | 782 |
| Cities Covered | 8 | 8 |
| Dental | Yes | Yes |
| Optical | Yes | Yes |
| Maternity | Yes | Yes |
| Mental Health | Yes | Yes |
| International | No | Yes |
| Co-pay Range | 0% – 20% | 0% – 20% |
| Claims Phone | 800-42626 | 800-444 |
Coverage columns reflect whether at least one plan from the insurer includes that benefit. Premiums are indicative annual ranges.
Network Comparison by City
| City | Daman | vs | GIG Gulf |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | 3,996 | vs | 426 |
| Abu Dhabi | 2,451 | vs | 178 |
| Sharjah | 1,332 | vs | 96 |
| Al Ain | 791 | vs | 31 |
| Ajman | 358 | vs | 28 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | 244 | vs | 13 |
| Fujairah | 168 | vs | 8 |
| Umm Al Quwain | 51 | vs | 2 |
Provider counts from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory. Green highlights the city leader.
Daman Plans
Daman
Daman Basic
Low-income workers and dependants in Abu Dhabi (mandatory scheme)
AED 600 – 750/yr
Annual limit: AED 250,000 · shared room · 20% co-pay
9,391 providers
View details →Daman
Daman Enhanced
Mid-salary employees and families in Abu Dhabi
AED 3,500 – 7,500/yr
Annual limit: AED 500,000 · semi-private room · 20% co-pay
9,391 providers
View details →Daman
Daman Premium
Senior employees and executives in Abu Dhabi
AED 12,000 – 25,000/yr
Annual limit: AED 1.0M · private room · 0% co-pay
9,391 providers
View details →GIG Gulf Plans
GIG Gulf
GIG Gulf Essential
SMEs and individuals meeting mandatory requirements across UAE
AED 2,800 – 4,800/yr
Annual limit: AED 250,000 · shared room · 20% co-pay
782 providers
View details →GIG Gulf
GIG Gulf Corporate Plus
Corporate employees and families across UAE
AED 5,500 – 12,000/yr
Annual limit: AED 500,000 · semi-private room · 20% co-pay
782 providers
View details →GIG Gulf
GIG Gulf Executive
Senior management and executives
AED 15,000 – 28,000/yr
Annual limit: AED 1.5M · private room · 0% co-pay
782 providers
View details →Verdict
Choose Daman if you need a larger provider network, lower entry-level premiums. Choose GIG Gulf if you prioritise more comprehensive coverage options. 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.
Daman vs GIG Gulf — FAQ
Which is better, Daman or GIG Gulf?
It depends on your needs. Daman has 9,391 providers across 8 cities and offers 3 plans starting from AED 600/yr. GIG Gulf has 782 providers across 8 cities with 3 plans from AED 2,800/yr. Choose Daman if you need a larger provider network, lower entry-level premiums. Choose GIG Gulf if you prioritise more comprehensive coverage options.
Is Daman cheaper than GIG Gulf?
Yes, Daman's entry-level plan starts from AED 600/yr, compared to GIG Gulf's cheapest plan at AED 2,800/yr. However, plan pricing varies by age, nationality, visa type, and employer. Enhanced and premium tiers may differ. Always obtain a personalised quote from each insurer.
Which has a bigger network in Dubai, Daman or GIG Gulf?
Daman has a larger Dubai network with 3,996 providers, compared to GIG Gulf's 426 providers. This includes hospitals, clinics, dental practices, and specialist centres listed in the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.
Does Daman or GIG Gulf cover dental?
Both insurers offer dental coverage on their enhanced and premium plans. Daman's dental sub-limit goes up to AED 7,500/yr, while GIG Gulf offers up to AED 8,000/yr. Basic plans from both insurers typically exclude dental.
Can I switch from Daman to GIG Gulf?
Yes, you can switch insurers during your policy renewal period. In the UAE, health insurance is typically renewed annually. When switching from Daman to GIG Gulf (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 Daman and GIG Gulf have dedicated claims and onboarding teams to facilitate the transition.
How do I compare Daman and GIG Gulf plans?
Use the UAE Health Insurance Navigator on this page to compare Daman and GIG Gulf side-by-side. Key factors to compare: (1) Annual premium — Daman starts from AED 600/yr, GIG Gulf from AED 2,800/yr, (2) Network size — 9,391 vs 782 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 Daman and GIG Gulf or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.