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GIG Gulf vs Now Health International

UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026

GIG Gulf

private

7,604 providers

3 plans

Est. 1962

DHA, HAAD, MOHAP regulated

Now Health International

private

3,418 providers

2 plans

Est. 2011

DHA, HAAD regulated

GIG Gulf has 3 plans starting from AED 2,800/yr with 7,604 providers across 8 cities. Now Health International has 2 plans starting from AED 5,500/yr with 3,418 providers across 8 cities. Both insurers have their strongest presence in Dubai.

GIG Gulf vs Now Health International — At a Glance

AttributeGIG GulfNow Health International
Typeprivateprivate
Founded19622011
HeadquartersKuwait / DubaiDubai
RegulatorsDHA, HAAD, MOHAPDHA, HAAD
Number of Plans32
Premium RangeAED 2,800 – 28,000AED 5,500 – 28,000
Total Network Size7,6043,418
Cities Covered88
DentalYesYes
OpticalYesYes
MaternityYesYes
Mental HealthYesYes
InternationalYesYes
Co-pay Range0% – 20%0% – 20%
Claims Phone800-444800-669

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

Network Comparison by City

CityGIG GulfvsNow Health International
Dubai
4,088
vs
2,455
Abu Dhabi
1,674
vs
394
Sharjah
1,040
vs
258
Al Ain
293
vs
122
Ajman
224
vs
94
Ras Al Khaimah
153
vs
49
Fujairah
111
vs
37
Umm Al Quwain
21
vs
9

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

GIG Gulf Plans

GIG Gulf

GIG Gulf Essential

Basic

SMEs and individuals meeting mandatory requirements across UAE

AED 2,800 – 4,800/yr

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

Dental
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Multi-emirate compliant (DHA/HAAD/MOHAP)Competitive group ratesBroad UAE network

7,604 providers

View details →

GIG Gulf

GIG Gulf Corporate Plus

Enhanced

Corporate employees and families across UAE

AED 5,500 – 12,000/yr

Annual limit: AED 500,000 · semi-private room · 20% co-pay

Dental (AED 3,500)
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
All-emirate coverageDental and optical includedMental health support

7,604 providers

View details →

GIG Gulf

GIG Gulf Executive

Premium

Senior management and executives

AED 15,000 – 28,000/yr

Annual limit: AED 1.5M · private room · 0% co-pay

Dental (AED 8,000)
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Zero co-payPrivate roomInternational coverage

7,604 providers

View details →

Now Health International Plans

Now Health International

Now Health WorldCare Essential

Enhanced

Expat professionals and freelancers seeking modular coverage

AED 5,500 – 10,000/yr

Annual limit: AED 750,000 · semi-private room · 20% co-pay

Dental
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Modular — add dental/optical as ridersInternational emergency coverageOnline member portal

3,418 providers

View details →

Now Health International

Now Health WorldCare Prestige

Premium

Executives and families wanting comprehensive worldwide cover

AED 14,000 – 28,000/yr

Annual limit: AED 1.5M · private room · 0% co-pay

Dental (AED 7,500)
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Zero co-payPrivate roomWorldwide coverage

3,418 providers

View details →

Verdict

Choose GIG Gulf if you need a larger provider network, lower entry-level premiums, more plan tiers to choose from, more comprehensive coverage options. Choose Now Health International if you prioritise strong coverage and established reputation. 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 Now Health International — FAQ

Which is better, GIG Gulf or Now Health International?

It depends on your needs. GIG Gulf has 7,604 providers across 8 cities and offers 3 plans starting from AED 2,800/yr. Now Health International has 3,418 providers across 8 cities with 2 plans from AED 5,500/yr. Choose GIG Gulf if you need a larger provider network, lower entry-level premiums, more plan tiers to choose from, more comprehensive coverage options. Choose Now Health International if you prioritise strong coverage and established reputation.

Is GIG Gulf cheaper than Now Health International?

Yes, GIG Gulf's entry-level plan starts from AED 2,800/yr, compared to Now Health International's cheapest plan at AED 5,500/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, GIG Gulf or Now Health International?

GIG Gulf has a larger Dubai network with 4,088 providers, compared to Now Health International's 2,455 providers. This includes hospitals, clinics, dental practices, and specialist centres listed in the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.

Does GIG Gulf or Now Health International 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 Now Health International offers up to AED 7,500/yr. Basic plans from both insurers typically exclude dental.

Can I switch from GIG Gulf to Now Health International?

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 Now Health International (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 Now Health International have dedicated claims and onboarding teams to facilitate the transition.

How do I compare GIG Gulf and Now Health International plans?

Use the UAE Health Insurance Navigator on this page to compare GIG Gulf and Now Health International side-by-side. Key factors to compare: (1) Annual premium — GIG Gulf starts from AED 2,800/yr, Now Health International from AED 5,500/yr, (2) Network size — 7,604 vs 3,418 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 GIG Gulf and Now Health International or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory, last verified March 2026.