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MetLife vs National General Insurance

UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026

MetLife

private

7,899 providers

2 plans

Est. 1868

DHA, HAAD regulated

National General Insurance

private

4,955 providers

2 plans

Est. 1980

DHA, HAAD regulated

MetLife has 2 plans starting from AED 2,800/yr with 7,899 providers across 8 cities. National General Insurance has 2 plans starting from AED 2,000/yr with 4,955 providers across 8 cities. MetLife is strongest in Dubai while National General Insurance has the most providers in Abu Dhabi.

MetLife vs National General Insurance — At a Glance

AttributeMetLifeNational General Insurance
Typeprivateprivate
Founded18681980
HeadquartersDubaiDubai
RegulatorsDHA, HAADDHA, HAAD
Number of Plans22
Premium RangeAED 2,800 – 13,000AED 2,000 – 9,000
Total Network Size7,8994,955
Cities Covered88
DentalYesYes
OpticalYesNo
MaternityYesYes
Mental HealthYesNo
InternationalNoNo
Co-pay Range20%20%
Claims Phone800-63854302-619-1100

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

Network Comparison by City

CityMetLifevsNational General Insurance
Dubai
4,534
vs
1,745
Abu Dhabi
1,742
vs
1,809
Sharjah
799
vs
585
Al Ain
339
vs
471
Ajman
216
vs
158
Ras Al Khaimah
143
vs
103
Fujairah
92
vs
61
Umm Al Quwain
34
vs
23

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

MetLife Plans

MetLife

MetLife Essential Health

Basic

SMEs meeting mandatory health insurance requirements

AED 2,800 – 5,000/yr

Annual limit: AED 200,000 · shared room · 20% co-pay

Dental
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
DHA compliantDigital claims via appAffordable group rates

7,899 providers

View details →

MetLife

MetLife Corporate Plus

Enhanced

Corporate employees with enhanced coverage needs

AED 6,000 – 13,000/yr

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

Dental (AED 3,500)
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Wellness programme includedDental and opticalMental health coverage

7,899 providers

View details →

National General Insurance Plans

National General Insurance

NGI Basic Health

Basic

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

Dental
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
HAAD compliantMost affordable Abu Dhabi plansSimple no-frills coverage

4,955 providers

View details →

National General Insurance

NGI Enhanced Health

Enhanced

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

Dental (AED 2,500)
Optical
Maternity
Mental Health
International
Dental coverage includedSemi-private roomAbu Dhabi private hospital access

4,955 providers

View details →

Verdict

Choose MetLife if you need a larger provider network, 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.

MetLife vs National General Insurance — FAQ

Which is better, MetLife or National General Insurance?

It depends on your needs. MetLife has 7,899 providers across 8 cities and offers 2 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 MetLife if you need a larger provider network, more comprehensive coverage options. Choose National General Insurance if you prioritise lower entry-level premiums.

Is MetLife cheaper than National General Insurance?

No, National General Insurance's entry-level plan starts from AED 2,000/yr, while MetLife'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, MetLife or National General Insurance?

MetLife has a larger Dubai network with 4,534 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 MetLife or National General Insurance cover dental?

Both insurers offer dental coverage on their enhanced and premium plans. MetLife's dental sub-limit goes up to AED 3,500/yr, while National General Insurance offers up to AED 2,500/yr. Basic plans from both insurers typically exclude dental.

Can I switch from MetLife 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 MetLife 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 MetLife and National General Insurance have dedicated claims and onboarding teams to facilitate the transition.

How do I compare MetLife and National General Insurance plans?

Use the UAE Health Insurance Navigator on this page to compare MetLife and National General Insurance side-by-side. Key factors to compare: (1) Annual premium — MetLife starts from AED 2,800/yr, National General Insurance from AED 2,000/yr, (2) Network size — 7,899 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.

Disclaimer: Plan details, premiums, and network sizes are indicative, based on publicly available UAE insurance market data. Obtain personalised quotes from MetLife and National General Insurance or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory, last verified March 2026.