most commonly asked questions about our insurance products and solutions.
Health
What is health insurance?
Health insurance provides you with a safety net against unexpected medical expenses, including costs related to hospitalization, medications, or doctor visits.
Why should I buy health insurance?
Health insurance offers several advantages:
- Budget Planning: You can plan your finances better by knowing your upfront costs at the beginning of the year
- Access negotiated rates for medical expenses
- Benefit from claims management assistance
- Ensure insured individuals receive necessary treatment promptly,
aiding in a speedy recovery
What is not covered by health insurance?
It's crucial to thoroughly review and comprehend the benefits and exclusions outlined in the plan you choose, as coverage can vary. Typically, treatments that go beyond your plan's benefits are excluded. Services that are not medically necessary, such as cosmetic procedures, fertility investigations & treatments and supplements are also excluded. Conditions related to 'self-harm,' including suicide attempts, hazardous pursuits, experimental treatments and drug or alcohol-related conditions are not covered.
Additionally, some plans may require you to disclose pre-existing
conditions. Failure to do so may result in the exclusion of these
conditions and any related ones. If you have any uncertainties, please
provide us with the specifics of your situation and we can offer
guidance.
What are the factors that affect health insurance premium?
The price can be influenced by various factors, but is primarily based on:
- Choice of plan
- The individual client's profile, including existing or anticipated medical conditions
- Past claims history
What types of individual products do you provide, and where can I get additional information?
We provide a diverse range of healthcare solutions, and other insurance products like motor, home, travel, personal accident and pleasure craft insurance. Please visit our 'Contact Us ' page to discover the most convenient method for you to reach out to us, allowing us to assist you further.
Motor
Is car insurance mandatory in the UAE?
Yes, car insurance is a legal requirement for all vehicles in the UAE. You cannot register your car without valid insurance coverage.
How is the car insurance premium calculated in the UAE?
Insurance premiums are calculated based on factors like the vehicle’s age, model, value, driver’s age and driving history, and the type of coverage selected.
What factors influence the price of car insurance in the UAE?
The cost of car insurance in the UAE is influenced by vehicle and driver-specific details. The age and condition of the vehicle play a pivotal role; older cars might be more expensive to insure due to potential issues, while newer, well-maintained vehicles often attract lower premiums. The driver's age is another significant factor, with younger and much older drivers typically facing higher rates due to statistical accident probabilities. A driver's record, both in terms of driving behaviour and claim history, can increase or decrease premiums. The vehicle's market value also matters; higher-value cars might attract higher insurance rates. Additionally, the type of insurance plan, its coverage, and the chosen deductible amount will effect the final premium.
Can I transfer my no-claims discount if I switch insurance provider to GIG Gulf?
Yes, the no-claims discount, or no-claims bonus, is transferable. You can obtain a certificate from your previous insurer and present it to the new provider to benefit from the discount.
What is the process to claim insurance in case of an accident in the UAE?
After ensuring everyone's safety, report the accident to the police. You will need the police report to process your claim. Contact us when you have the report or submit a claim using our online claim tool . Once the claim is submitted, you will receive an SMS providing the claim reference number and contact details of the workshop as per your policy coverage.
Travel
Is travel insurance mandatory?
Travel insurance is usually optional, but some countries may require it for entry. Regardless of the requirement, we always recommend getting travel insurance for peace of mind and to avoid large unexpected costs.
How much does travel insurance cost?
The cost of travel insurance varies depending on your trip's duration, the coverage selected, your age, and other factors. You can get a quote in minutes on our website find out how much it costs. We offer several levels of coverage so you can find the right coverage for you and your family.
What does travel insurance cover?
Travel insurance typically covers medical emergencies, flight cancellations, lost luggage, trip delays, etc. Exact coverage can vary by policy, so it's essential to read the details of your chosen plan.
Can I get travel insurance if I'm pregnant?
Yes, many of our policies provide coverage for pregnant travellers. However, there may be restrictions based on the stage of pregnancy or any complications. Always consult the policy details or our customer service team for clarity.
What are pre-existing conditions for travel insurance?
Pre-existing conditions refer to medical ailments or illnesses that you had prior to purchasing your insurance policy. Coverage for these conditions varies across policies, so it's essential to read the terms and check with our representatives.
Home
What does GIG Gulf home insurance typically cover?
GIG Gulf's comprehensive home insurance, Home Comfort, protects your building against fire, forceable theft, and natural disasters and covers personal belongings. It also includes liability covers and options for domestic helper insurance. Read our terms and conditions to find out more.
Is home insurance mandatory in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or elsewhere in the UAE?
While home insurance isn't legally mandatory anywhere in the UAE, it's highly recommended. Many mortgage lenders do require a form of property insurance for the duration of the mortgage.
How is the cost of my home insurance premium determined?
The cost of Home Insurance premium will be determined depending on the sum insured.
Can I get coverage for high-value items?
Yes, GIG Gulf provides worldwide personal belongings cover, which can include high-value items. However, declaring these items when taking out your policy is crucial to ensure they are fully covered.
What is the 'Contents in the Open' cover?
This is a unique feature of GIG Gulf's policy, covering items typically found outside the confines of the home but within your private premises, such as garden furniture or outdoor equipment. Terms apply.
What does GIG Gulf home insurance typically cover?
GIG Gulf's comprehensive home insurance, Home Comfort, protects your building against fire, forceable theft, and natural disasters and covers personal belongings. It also includes liability covers and options for domestic helper insurance. Read our terms and conditions to find out more.
Is home insurance mandatory in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or elsewhere in the UAE?
While home insurance isn't legally mandatory anywhere in the UAE, it's highly recommended. Many mortgage lenders do require a form of property insurance for the duration of the mortgage.
How is the cost of my home insurance premium determined?
The cost of Home Insurance premium will be determined depending on the sum insured.
Can I get coverage for high-value items?
Yes, GIG Gulf provides worldwide personal belongings cover, which can include high-value items. However, declaring these items when taking out your policy is crucial to ensure they are fully covered.
What is the 'Contents in the Open' cover?
This is a unique feature of GIG Gulf's policy, covering items typically found outside the confines of the home but within your private premises, such as garden furniture or outdoor equipment. Terms apply.
Group Health
What is health insurance?
Health insurance provides you with a safety net against unexpected medical expenses, including costs related to hospitalization, medications, or doctor visits.
Why should I buy health insurance?
Health
insurance offers several advantages:
• Budget
Planning: You can plan your finances better by knowing
your upfront costs at the beginning of the year
•
Access negotiated rates for medical expenses
• Benefit
from claims management assistance
• Ensure insured
individuals receive necessary treatment promptly, aiding
in a speedy recovery
What are the factors that affect health insurance premium?
The price can be
influenced by various factors, but is primarily based on:
•
Choice of plan
• The individual client's profile, including
existing or anticipated medical conditions
• Past claims history
What is not covered by health insurance?
It's crucial to thoroughly review and comprehend the benefits and exclusions outlined in the plan you choose, as coverage can vary. Typically, treatments that go beyond your plan's benefits are excluded. Services that are not medically necessary, such as cosmetic procedures, fertility investigations & treatments and supplements are also excluded. Conditions related to 'self-harm,' including suicide attempts, hazardous pursuits, experimental treatments and drug or alcohol-related conditions are not covered.
Additionally, some plans may require you to disclose pre-existing conditions. Failure to do so may result in the exclusion of these conditions and any related ones. If you have any uncertainties, please provide us with the specifics of your situation and we can offer guidance.
How to make an informed choice for a suitable health insurance plan?
To assist you in
determining the most appropriate health insurance plan for your
needs, it is essential to consider the following factors:
•
Your budget: Evaluate what you can afford and your willingness
to contribute to co-insurance at the time of a claim.
• Your
requirements: Determine if you need specific features, such as
cashless billing at certain facilities, coverage in particular
countries, specific treatments like dental or maternity
benefits, coverage for pre-existing conditions, essential
services like teleconsultation, online claims submission, or
well-being support.
• Your values: Decide if it's crucial
for you to choose an insurer known for providing fair, prompt,
and reliable service.
Take your time to research thoroughly,
as switching insurers can potentially affect what is considered
a pre-existing condition. Making the wrong choice could lead to
a disruption in coverage when you need it most.
What is an "itemized invoice," and is this document required for every claim submission?
An itemized invoice provides a detailed breakdown of the medical services you have received, along with the specific cost for each service. It is essential for every claim submission as it clearly indicates the services taken, their respective dates, and the corresponding costs.
Is it possible to submit scanned copies of my claim documents?
GIG Gulf does
indeed accept scanned copies of documents. However, it's
important to note that in certain situations, we may request
original documents. Therefore, we recommend that you retain all
original documents pertaining to your treatment until the claim
is finalized.
Please be aware that GIG Gulf retains the option to request
original documents during the claims processing, so we strongly
advise holding onto the original documents for a minimum of 12
months after the treatment date or until the claim has been
successfully resolved.
I submitted a medical claim, what should I expect next?
After you submit
your claim, we will send you a claim reference number through
email and SMS. You can use this reference number to track the
progress of your claim whenever needed.
We aim to review
your claim within 5 business days and settle eligible claims it
through a bank transfer within 10 business days, provided we
receive all the required documents.
In case the claim
documents are insufficient, we will inform you via email the
incomplete information or documents. Additionally, you can also
check the status of your claims by logging into the
GIG Gulf Website
or using the
MyGIG Gulf Mobile App
Whom should I reach out to if there are any discrepancies in the settlement?
If you encounter any disputes or discrepancies, we recommend contacting us via email at mcs@gig-gulf.com or the " Contact Us " option for assistance.
What are Reasonable & Customary (R&C) charges? When do they apply?
All benefits and
services submitted for claim reimbursement will be assessed
according to the Reasonable and Customary Charges or as
specified in your table of benefits, following the terms and
conditions of your policy. The Reasonable and Customary Charges
represent an average value based on our negotiated, discounted
costs for similar treatments within the network indicated in
your plan.
This means there may be out-of-pocket expenses depending on
how the charges align with this standard. For a detailed
understanding of your healthcare policy, including potential
out-of-pocket costs, access your table of benefits and
membership handbook on
MyGIG Gulf Mobile App
.
How long will it take for my reimbursement claim to be processed?
GIG Gulf's objective is to review your eligible claims within 5 business days and finalize the settlement within 10 business days, provided we receive all the required documentation.
Why is my reimbursement amount less than the amount I had claimed for?
The reimbursement
amount you receive is subject to adjustments in accordance with
the terms and conditions of your policy. These adjustments
consider the following factors:
• Co-pay and co-insurance
percentage deductions as outlined in your policy terms.
•
Deductible amount, if applicable and as specified in your policy
terms.
• If the claimed cost of services exceeds the average
cost of services within your GIG Gulf provider network, the
excess amount will be subtracted from the total bill.
If my reimbursement claim has been rejected, what steps can I take to resubmit my claim?
If you need to resubmit your claim or if you are asked to provide additional documents, please use the MyGIG Gulf Mobile App or GIG Gulf Website . These platforms allow you to conveniently resubmit your claim and keep track of its status.
What is the method of payment for reimbursement claims?
Reimbursement claims are paid through wire transfer. To ensure a smooth transaction, please update your bank details using the MyGIG Gulf Mobile App or GIG Gulf Website . For seamless receipt of funds, kindly provide complete and accurate bank account details.
What are the secure and acceptable methods for paying my policy?
• Cash
Payments: SME customers can make cash payments at GIG
offices or points of sale in Oman, Qatar, and the UAE. However,
please note that, cash payments are not available as an option
in Bahrain for businesses. For cash payments of AED 10,000/QAR
10,000/OMR 1,000 or more, supporting documents will be required
as part of the compliance process, and our Sales teams will
request these documents.
• E-commerce: SME customers can utilize the e-commerce
option through POS machines at GIG offices or points of sale, as
well as payment links generated and shared by GIG staff or
authorized representatives.
• Cheque Payments: Both SME and corporate customers can
issue cheques to settle their premium payments to GIG.
• Wire Transfer: SME and corporate customers can make
payments via wire transfer using the bank details specified on
their invoices. It's essential to ensure that GIG receives the
full invoice or quotation amount, including applicable
taxes/VAT, and that the remitter bears any bank charges and
exchange differences incurred during the wire transfer process.
How can I obtain a receipt following the payment of my policy(ies)?
Our GIG Gulf staff, available at our offices, points of sale, shops, and call center, will assist you in providing valid receipts for policy premiums paid through payment links, POS or any other payment methods.
How can I pay via wire transfer?
• To pay via wire
transfer, you can obtain the bank details from our offices,
points of sale, shops, or call center staff.
• Just like
with individual policies, it is crucial to ensure that GIG
receives the full amount specified in your invoice or quotation,
including any applicable taxes/VAT, as well as any bank charges
and exchange differences that may arise during the wire transfer
process. The remitter should cover these additional
expenses.
• Please remember to mention the policy or invoice
number for which you make the premium payment. This will enable
us to allocate the payment accurately to your policy.
•
After completing the wire transfer, please share the transfer
details along with your policy or invoice details with
regional.creditcontrol@gig-gulf.com
and the respective GIG Key Account Manager assisting you
with your policy request.
I paid via wire transfer, how can I confirm that my payment has been credited to my policy?
Please communicate the transfer details along with the policy/Invoice details to regional.creditcontrol@gig-gulf.com and the respective GIG Key Account Manager supporting your policy request.
Can I pay my outstanding policy premiums via e-payment?
Currently, the
online payment link/POS option is applicable for settling the
due premiums on your quote. If you have other payment
requirements, such as covering overdue premiums from the past,
policy reinstatements, excess payments or any payments that do
not align with your due premium, please follow these steps:
• SME customers can use the e-commerce option through POS
Machines at GIG offices or points of sale. Payment links will be
generated and shared by GIG staff or authorized
representatives.
• Corporate customers can clear their
outstanding balances through bank transfers or by issuing
cheques payable to GIG.
Is it possible to make online payments in a local currency if my policy is in USD / GBP / EURO?
Payments for business policies must adhere to the policy's specified currency, as outlined in the policy Terms and Conditions.
Who is eligible to make payments for my policy?
As the policy
owner, you are responsible for paying the premium.
Alternatively, an authorized third party can make the payment on
your behalf, provided they are either an insured individual or a
beneficiary listed on your policy. If you are unable to make the
payment yourself or if the individual wishing to pay on your
behalf is not a party to the contract outlined in your policy,
you can authorize a third-party payer by fulfilling the
following requirements:
• Provide Payer Details, including
but not limited to Name, Relationship with the policy owner and
Reason for settling the premium on behalf of the policy
owner.
• Submit a Copy of the Valid Emirates ID Card,
Passport, and Residence Visa of the Third-Party payer.
•
Present Proof of relationship (such as a Birth Certificate,
Marriage Contract, etc.).
• Offer documentation
demonstrating the Source of funds of the Third-Party payer for
settling the policy owner's insurance premium.
Will I receive a notification about my payment deadline?
Certainly, GIG Gulf will send a reminder to the email address that is registered in the system for corporate and SME customers who have an approved credit facility.
What are the consequences of a missed payment?
If a payment is not received within the agreed timeline, GIG Gulf reserves the right to suspend the policy and its associated benefits. This may be followed by issuing a policy cancellation notice, and if premiums are not paid in accordance with the contract, the policy may be officially canceled.
Can I pay the premium later?
SME and corporate policy premiums can be settled in accordance with the agreed installments/credit period before policy issuance. The due dates for such payments will be indicated on the installment invoices provided by GIG Gulf to the client(s).
How will I receive reimbursement for my medical expenses?
- For direct billing claims: GIG Gulf will settle payments directly with the healthcare service providers who rendered services to our clients and members. Therefore, GIG Gulf is not responsible for making payments to clients or members in this regard. Please be aware that any applicable co-payments, as stipulated in your policy's terms and conditions, must be paid by the client or member and are not reimbursable by GIG Gulf.
- For reimbursement claims: Eligible reimbursement claims will be processed by GIG Gulf and settled directly with the respective member(s) after submitting the required valid claim documents, as outlined on our reimbursement portal, and subsequent adjudication and approval by the GIG claims team. To understand the specifics of claim settlement, including matters related to exchange rates, taxes, and bank charges, please refer to the terms and conditions of your policy.