Up to 600,000 health insurance customers face higher premiums as Ireland’s main providers announce fresh price hikes.
Irish Life Health is raising premiums on 130 plans, marking its fourth increase in just over a year. Laya is increasing prices on 13 plans, while VHI is hiking rates on 11. New entrant Level Health is also scaling back discounts on two of its four plans.
The latest rises come amid hopes that the arrival of a fourth provider would ease price pressures, following a year of multiple hikes and reduced benefits.
Experts warn the trend of relentless increases shows no sign of slowing, leaving many consumers struggling to manage the rising cost of health cover.
Irish Life Health will increase premiums on 130 plans by an average of 3.75%. For a family on its Health Guide 2 scheme, this means €187 extra per year, or a 5% increase.
Laya is raising costs on 13 plans, with hikes ranging from 2% to 10%. A family on its Optimum Plus scheme will see an annual increase of €328, or 9%.
VHI is upping premiums on 11 corporate plans by 6% to 11%, adding to the burden on policyholders during an already challenging financial climate.
