National General Insurance vs Thiqa
UAE Health Insurance Comparison 2026
National General Insurance
private1,417 providers
2 plans
Est. 1980
DHA, DOH regulated
Thiqa
premium7,999 providers
1 plan
Est. 2005
DOH regulated
National General Insurance has 2 plans from AED 2,000 a year and 1,417 in-network providers in 8 cities. Thiqa has 1 plan and 7,999 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 Thiqa — At a Glance
| Attribute | National General Insurance | Thiqa |
|---|---|---|
| Type | private | premium |
| Founded | 1980 | 2005 |
| Headquarters | Dubai | Abu Dhabi |
| Regulators | DHA, DOH | DOH |
| Number of Plans | 2 | 1 |
| Premium Range | AED 2,000 – 9,000 | AED 0 – 0 |
| Total Network Size | 1,417 | 7,999 |
| Cities Covered | 8 | 8 |
| Dental | Yes | Yes |
| Optical | No | Yes |
| Maternity | Yes | Yes |
| Mental Health | No | Yes |
| International | No | Yes |
| Co-pay Range | 20% | 0% |
| Claims Phone | 02-619-1100 | 800-42626 |
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 | Thiqa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | 728 | vs | 3,083 |
| Abu Dhabi | 292 | vs | 2,440 |
| Sharjah | 192 | vs | 913 |
| Al Ain | 83 | vs | 798 |
| Ajman | 54 | vs | 315 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | 32 | vs | 234 |
| Fujairah | 22 | vs | 170 |
| Umm Al Quwain | 14 | vs | 46 |
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 →Thiqa Plans
Thiqa
Thiqa
UAE nationals and their dependants in Abu Dhabi
Government-funded
Annual limit: Unlimited · private room · 0% co-pay
7,999 providers
View details →Verdict
Choose National General Insurance if you need more plan tiers to choose from. Choose Thiqa 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 Thiqa — FAQ
Which is better, National General Insurance or Thiqa?
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. Thiqa has 7,999 providers across 8 cities with 1 plans from AED 0/yr. Choose National General Insurance if you need more plan tiers to choose from. Choose Thiqa if you prioritise a larger provider network, more comprehensive coverage options.
Is National General Insurance cheaper than Thiqa?
No, Thiqa's entry-level plan starts from AED 0/yr, while National General Insurance's cheapest plan begins at AED 2,000/yr. Pricing varies significantly by age, nationality, and plan tier, so obtain personalised quotes from both insurers.
Which has a bigger network in Dubai, National General Insurance or Thiqa?
Thiqa has a larger Dubai network with 3,083 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 Thiqa 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 Thiqa offers up to AED 0/yr. Basic plans from both insurers typically exclude dental.
Can I switch from National General Insurance to Thiqa?
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 Thiqa (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 Thiqa have dedicated claims and onboarding teams to facilitate the transition.
How do I compare National General Insurance and Thiqa plans?
Use the UAE Health Insurance Navigator on this page to compare National General Insurance and Thiqa side-by-side. Key factors to compare: (1) Annual premium — National General Insurance starts from AED 2,000/yr, Thiqa from AED 0/yr, (2) Network size — 1,417 vs 7,999 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 Thiqa or an authorised broker. Provider network data sourced from the UAE Open Healthcare Directory.