GIG Gulf vs National General Insurance
UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026
GIG Gulf
private7,604 providers
3 plans
Est. 1962
DHA, HAAD, MOHAP regulated
National General Insurance
private4,955 providers
2 plans
Est. 1980
DHA, HAAD regulated
GIG Gulf has 3 plans starting from AED 2,800/yr with 7,604 providers across 8 cities. National General Insurance has 2 plans starting from AED 2,000/yr with 4,955 providers across 8 cities. GIG Gulf is strongest in Dubai while National General Insurance has the most providers in Abu Dhabi.
GIG Gulf vs National General Insurance — At a Glance
| Attribute | GIG Gulf | National General Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Type | private | private |
| Founded | 1962 | 1980 |
| Headquarters | Kuwait / Dubai | Dubai |
| Regulators | DHA, HAAD, MOHAP | DHA, HAAD |
| Number of Plans | 3 | 2 |
| Premium Range | AED 2,800 – 28,000 | AED 2,000 – 9,000 |
| Total Network Size | 7,604 | 4,955 |
| 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 | 800-444 | 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 | GIG Gulf | vs | National General Insurance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | 4,088 | vs | 1,745 |
| Abu Dhabi | 1,674 | vs | 1,809 |
| Sharjah | 1,040 | vs | 585 |
| Al Ain | 293 | vs | 471 |
| Ajman | 224 | vs | 158 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | 153 | vs | 103 |
| Fujairah | 111 | vs | 61 |
| Umm Al Quwain | 21 | vs | 23 |
Provider counts from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory. Green highlights the city leader.
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
7,604 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
7,604 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
7,604 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
4,955 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
4,955 providers
View details →Verdict
Choose GIG Gulf 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.
GIG Gulf vs National General Insurance — FAQ
Which is better, GIG Gulf or National General Insurance?
It depends on your needs. GIG Gulf has 7,604 providers across 8 cities and offers 3 plans starting from AED 2,800/yr. National General Insurance has 4,955 providers across 8 cities with 2 plans from AED 2,000/yr. Choose GIG Gulf 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 GIG Gulf cheaper than National General Insurance?
No, National General Insurance's entry-level plan starts from AED 2,000/yr, while GIG Gulf's cheapest plan begins at AED 2,800/yr. Pricing varies significantly by age, nationality, and plan tier, so obtain personalised quotes from both insurers.
Which has a bigger network in Dubai, GIG Gulf or National General Insurance?
GIG Gulf has a larger Dubai network with 4,088 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 GIG Gulf or National General Insurance cover dental?
Both insurers offer dental coverage on their enhanced and premium plans. GIG Gulf's dental sub-limit goes up to AED 8,000/yr, while National General Insurance offers up to AED 2,500/yr. Basic plans from both insurers typically exclude dental.
Can I switch from GIG Gulf 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 GIG Gulf 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 GIG Gulf and National General Insurance have dedicated claims and onboarding teams to facilitate the transition.
How do I compare GIG Gulf and National General Insurance plans?
Use the UAE Health Insurance Navigator on this page to compare GIG Gulf and National General Insurance side-by-side. Key factors to compare: (1) Annual premium — GIG Gulf starts from AED 2,800/yr, National General Insurance from AED 2,000/yr, (2) Network size — 7,604 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.
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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 GIG Gulf and National General Insurance or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory, last verified March 2026.