National General Insurance vs Salama Islamic Insurance
UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026
National General Insurance
private1,417 providers
2 plans
Est. 1980
DHA, DOH regulated
Salama Islamic Insurance
private5,657 providers
2 plans
Est. 1979
DHA, DOH, MOHAP regulated
National General Insurance has 2 plans from AED 2,000 a year and 1,417 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.
National General Insurance vs Salama Islamic Insurance — At a Glance
| Attribute | National General Insurance | Salama Islamic Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Type | private | private |
| Founded | 1980 | 1979 |
| Headquarters | Dubai | Dubai |
| Regulators | DHA, DOH | DHA, DOH, MOHAP |
| Number of Plans | 2 | 2 |
| Premium Range | AED 2,000 – 9,000 | AED 2,500 – 13,000 |
| Total Network Size | 1,417 | 5,657 |
| Cities Covered | 8 | 8 |
| Dental | Yes | Yes |
| Optical | No | Yes |
| Maternity | Yes | Yes |
| Mental Health | No | Yes |
| International | No | No |
| Co-pay Range | 20% | 20% |
| Claims Phone | 02-619-1100 | 800-72526 |
Coverage columns reflect whether at least one plan from the insurer includes that benefit. Premiums are indicative annual ranges.
Network Comparison by City
| City | National General Insurance | vs | Salama Islamic Insurance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | 728 | vs | 3,036 |
| Abu Dhabi | 292 | vs | 1,189 |
| Sharjah | 192 | vs | 878 |
| Al Ain | 83 | vs | 224 |
| Ajman | 54 | vs | 135 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | 32 | vs | 106 |
| Fujairah | 22 | vs | 65 |
| Umm Al Quwain | 14 | vs | 24 |
Provider counts from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory. Green highlights the city leader.
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
1,417 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
1,417 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 National General Insurance if you need lower entry-level premiums. Choose Salama Islamic Insurance if you prioritise a larger provider network, 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.
National General Insurance vs Salama Islamic Insurance — FAQ
Which is better, National General Insurance or Salama Islamic Insurance?
It depends on your needs. National General Insurance has 1,417 providers across 8 cities and offers 2 plans starting from AED 2,000/yr. Salama Islamic Insurance has 5,657 providers across 8 cities with 2 plans from AED 2,500/yr. Choose National General Insurance if you need lower entry-level premiums. Choose Salama Islamic Insurance if you prioritise a larger provider network, more comprehensive coverage options.
Is National General Insurance cheaper than Salama Islamic Insurance?
Yes, National General Insurance's entry-level plan starts from AED 2,000/yr, compared to Salama Islamic Insurance's cheapest plan at AED 2,500/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, National General Insurance or Salama Islamic Insurance?
Salama Islamic Insurance has a larger Dubai network with 3,036 providers, compared to National General Insurance's 728 providers. Network sizes are based on the UAE Open Healthcare Directory data.
Does National General Insurance or Salama Islamic Insurance cover dental?
Both insurers offer dental coverage on their enhanced and premium plans. National General Insurance's dental sub-limit goes up to AED 2,500/yr, while Salama Islamic Insurance offers up to AED 4,000/yr. Basic plans from both insurers typically exclude dental.
Can I switch from National General Insurance 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 National General Insurance 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 National General Insurance and Salama Islamic Insurance have dedicated claims and onboarding teams to facilitate the transition.
How do I compare National General Insurance and Salama Islamic Insurance plans?
Use the UAE Health Insurance Navigator on this page to compare National General Insurance and Salama Islamic Insurance side-by-side. Key factors to compare: (1) Annual premium — National General Insurance starts from AED 2,000/yr, Salama Islamic Insurance from AED 2,500/yr, (2) Network size — 1,417 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 National General Insurance and Salama Islamic Insurance or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.