GIG Gulf vs Salama Islamic Insurance
UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026
GIG Gulf
private782 providers
3 plans
Est. 1962
DHA, DOH, MOHAP regulated
Salama Islamic Insurance
private5,657 providers
2 plans
Est. 1979
DHA, DOH, MOHAP regulated
GIG Gulf has 3 plans from AED 2,800 a year and 782 in-network providers in 8 cities. Salama Islamic Insurance has 2 plans from AED 2,500 a year and 5,657 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.
GIG Gulf vs Salama Islamic Insurance — At a Glance
| Attribute | GIG Gulf | Salama Islamic Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Type | private | private |
| Founded | 1962 | 1979 |
| Headquarters | Kuwait / Dubai | Dubai |
| Regulators | DHA, DOH, MOHAP | DHA, DOH, MOHAP |
| Number of Plans | 3 | 2 |
| Premium Range | AED 2,800 – 28,000 | AED 2,500 – 13,000 |
| Total Network Size | 782 | 5,657 |
| 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% |
| Phone (from the insurer's website) | 800 292 | 800 725262 (SALAMA) |
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 | Salama Islamic Insurance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | 426 | vs | 3,036 |
| Abu Dhabi | 178 | vs | 1,189 |
| Sharjah | 96 | vs | 878 |
| Al Ain | 31 | vs | 224 |
| Ajman | 28 | vs | 135 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | 13 | vs | 106 |
| Fujairah | 8 | vs | 65 |
| Umm Al Quwain | 2 | vs | 24 |
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
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 →Salama Islamic Insurance Plans
Salama Islamic Insurance
Salama Basic Takaful Health
Employers seeking Sharia-compliant mandatory health coverage across UAE
AED 2,500 – 5,000/yr
Annual limit: AED 250,000 · shared room · 20% co-pay
5,657 providers
View details →Salama Islamic Insurance
Salama Enhanced Takaful Health
Corporate employees and families across UAE wanting enhanced Takaful
AED 6,000 – 13,000/yr
Annual limit: AED 750,000 · semi-private room · 20% co-pay
5,657 providers
View details →Verdict
Choose GIG Gulf if you need more plan tiers to choose from, more comprehensive coverage options. Choose Salama Islamic Insurance if you prioritise a larger provider network, 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 Salama Islamic Insurance — FAQ
Which is better, GIG Gulf or Salama Islamic Insurance?
It depends on your needs. GIG Gulf has 782 providers across 8 cities and offers 3 plans starting from AED 2,800/yr. Salama Islamic Insurance has 5,657 providers across 8 cities with 2 plans from AED 2,500/yr. Choose GIG Gulf if you need more plan tiers to choose from, more comprehensive coverage options. Choose Salama Islamic Insurance if you prioritise a larger provider network, lower entry-level premiums.
Is GIG Gulf cheaper than Salama Islamic Insurance?
No, Salama Islamic Insurance's entry-level plan starts from AED 2,500/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 Salama Islamic Insurance?
Salama Islamic Insurance has a larger Dubai network with 3,036 providers, compared to GIG Gulf's 426 providers. Network sizes are based on the UAE Open Healthcare Directory data.
Does GIG Gulf or Salama Islamic 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 Salama Islamic Insurance offers up to AED 4,000/yr. Basic plans from both insurers typically exclude dental.
Can I switch from GIG Gulf to Salama Islamic 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 Salama Islamic 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 Salama Islamic Insurance have dedicated claims and onboarding teams to facilitate the transition.
How do I compare GIG Gulf and Salama Islamic Insurance plans?
Use the UAE Health Insurance Navigator on this page to compare GIG Gulf and Salama Islamic Insurance side-by-side. Key factors to compare: (1) Annual premium — GIG Gulf starts from AED 2,800/yr, Salama Islamic Insurance from AED 2,500/yr, (2) Network size — 782 vs 5,657 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 Salama Islamic Insurance or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.