- On the back of recent price hikes from Laya and VHI, Irish Life Health (ILH) have just announced a 5% average price increase from January on many of their plans. This will impact all existing and new members joining or renewing from this date. With the exception of Level Health, ILH, VHI and Laya all increased their rates from 1st October by 3%, 3% and 4.5% respectively. Level Health are holding their current rates until 1st Feb 2026.
- The ‘Perfect Storm’ continues for health insurance consumers as nearly half the market or 1.25 million health insurance customers, are due to renew their cover between December and February, so this couldn’t come at a worse time.
- This latest increase from ILH could cost a single adult anything from €65 - €125 for plans covering public and private hospitals. For a typical family, it could add anything from €160 to €255 to their total bill. For adults on higher-level plans or dated schemes, the increases could well exceed this.
- ILH are blaming this increase mainly on the continuing increases in both the cost and volume of claims, particularly from the private hospital sector.
- ILH have already had a number of rate increases through 2025, e.g. 3.7% average from 1st January, 2% from 1st April, and 3% from 1st October. Some consumers may escape the latest increase as we understand that not all plans will be increasing. For example, their Health Guide and Health Action plans may not be increasing at this time. Others may be hit harder, as we understand that the highest increase on a small number of plans could be up to 11%.
- As always, members need to be wary of the average figures quoted by health insurers. The actual increase could be much higher depending on the plan held. The cumulative impact of multiple rate hikes since the last renewal could leave members facing total increases of 6% - 10% or even higher, depending on the plan in question.
- The good news is that many ILH customers renew their cover on the 31st December so they will miss this latest rate hike until December 2026.
- We’re also expecting other price movements from the other insurers across a limited number of plans that may not have been impacted yet in 2025.
- The advice to all consumers now is to never just accept these increases, i.e. don't allow your cover to auto-renew. At the very least, contact your existing health insurer and challenge them to find you a similar plan at a lower premium. Tell them your budget for health cover and have them fully explain the benefit differentials of any alternative plan you may be considering. In particular, ask them to focus on any new plans they’ve launched in the last 12 – 24 months, as these tend to offer better overall value.
- There are numerous tactics available to consumers to avoid these premium increases whilst still maintaining excellent cover. This is especially relevant for those members on the same plan for 5 years or more, or those paying more than €2,500 per adult. For those fearful of changing cover, seek expert advice from the health insurers or qualified brokers and let them do the work for you.
Four Business Parks... One Location!
More News
-
-
NewsTánaiste Simon Harris and Minister Jack Chambers publish the Annual Progress Report 2026
Learn More -
-
NewsTánaiste welcomes the €1.6 billion Recommended Cash Offer for Permanent TSB Group Holdings plc by BAWAG P.S.K
Learn More -
-
-
-
NewsConsumers Face Double Blow as Health Insurance Costs Rise and Benefits are Cut from April
Learn More -
-
-
News6 in 10 compliance experts say ‘greenhushing’ is a growing or significant issue within Irish financial services sector
Learn More -
-
News1 in 3 Compliance Experts Say Irish Financial Services Firms Not Ready for Central Bank’s New Anti-Greenwashing Rule
Learn More -
NewsLion’s share of workers signed up to Auto Enrolment hail from Dublin, followed by Cork and Galway
Learn More -
-
-
-
-
NewsHealth Insurance Expert warns consumers about 4 potential impacts from the latest round of price and benefit changes across all insurers.
Learn More -
NewsWith only 7 days before new consumer protection rules kick in, new rule protecting vulnerable customers to have biggest impact
Learn More -
-
News
Tánaiste and Minister for Health announce extension of Tax Relief through the Common Conditions Service
Learn More -
-
-
NewsEuronext diversifies its financial derivatives franchise with the launch of mini options on ETFs
Learn More -
-
-
NewsWTW enhances its EX software, Embark, to strengthen employee connection and drive decisions
Learn More -
NewsGovernment nominates Gabriel Makhlouf for re-appointment as Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland
Learn More -
-
NewsGovernment Launches New Motor Insurance Transparency Code to enhance Consumer Understanding and Trust
Learn More -
NewsHalf of Compliance Professionals Have First-Hand Experience of Data Breaches During Their Careers
Learn More -
NewsFurther financial sanctions are essential as we mark the 4th anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine
Learn More -
News30% Club Ireland announces multi-year sponsorship with Arthur Cox LLP, Aviva, Cpl and EY
Learn More -
NewsTánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris announces the publication of the Research and Development Tax Credit and Innovation Compass
Learn More -
-
News
€8.5 billion in tax collected in January ; expenditure of €9.7 billion for public services and infrastructure
Learn More -
NewsSmall firms’ leaders brave the wind and rain to gather for largest business networking event in Ireland
Learn More -
-
-
-
-
NewsTánaiste Simon Harris and Minister Peter Burke publish joint research on impact of Enterprise supports
Learn More -
NewsAuto Enrolment hits home: Worker on average wage will see about €15 a week deducted from their pay
Learn More -
-
-
-
-
NewsGender Divide: Nearly Half of Men in Ireland Expect to Stop Working Before the State Pension Age, but Only 30pc of Women Do
Learn More -
-
-
-
NewsTánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris is delighted to announce the publication of the Review of the R&D tax credit regime
Learn More -
NewsMinister Troy announces Government funding to ensure continuation of Women in Finance Charter
Learn More -
NewsThe grades of the nation: fewer than 1 in 10 Irish adults are A-students when it comes to financial literacy
Learn More -
-
News8 in 10 Irish Consumers Say They’re Concerned About Food Waste On the Go as Circle K Announces National Partnership with Too Good To Go
Learn More -
-
NewsFirst Big Freeze of 2026: Homeowners urged to have alternative heat source in home in case of power cuts
Learn More -
NewsTánaiste Simon Harris and Minister Patrick O’ Donovan and launch new Tax credit for Unscripted Production
Learn More -
NewsThe Digital Hub to create new event and exhibition space in historic St Patrick’s Tower
Learn More -
News53% of AI/IT decision-makers think innovation potential of AI outweighs security concerns
Learn More -
NewsNAMA announces the substantial completion of its wind-down, paving way for its formal dissolution
Learn More -
News
Euronext strengthens European fixed-income markets with streamlined government bond settlement
Learn More -
-
NewsIrish Financial Services Face 2026 Challenge as Compliance Pressures Threaten Competitiveness
Learn More -
News
Corporation tax strong to end-November, alongside continued investment in public services and infrastructure
Learn More -
NewsISIF teams up with Avenue Capital Group to invest €150m of equity capital in Irish housebuilding firms
Learn More -
-
-
-
NewsEuronext hosts the fourth Tech Leaders Forum and launches a Scale-Up Track to support high-growth private Tech companies
Learn More -
NewsRising Costs Push Hospitality to Breaking Point as a Possible 600 Businesses Faced Closure in 2025
Learn More -
NewsEuronext strengthens its support to European strategic autonomy with the launch of the European Aerospace and Defence Growth Hub
Learn More -
-
-
NewsTánaiste, Minister for Finance, Simon Harris publishes feedback statement for Phase One of Reform of Ireland’s Taxation Regime for Interest
Learn More -
-
-
-
NewsISIF announces strategic partnership with European life sciences investment firm, Sofinnova Partners
Learn More -
-
NewsFinance professionals call for ‘smarter, simpler regulation’ as 64% fear Ireland could lose competitive edge
Learn More -
-
NewsTax growth remains steady to end-October, sustained investment on public services and infrastructure
Learn More -
NewsHouse rebuilding costs have increased by an average of 7% nationally over the last 12 months - Up 1% on last year
Learn More -
-
-
NewsTwo in Three Finance Industry Execs Warn Gold-Plating Could Hurt Ireland’s Competitiveness
Learn More -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
NewsMinister Donohoe and Minister Troy welcome a new strategic partnership between Lloyd’s and the Department of Finance to drive insurtech innovation
Learn More -
News
Amidst Concerns of a ‘Silent Slowdown’, Pension Experts Are Split on Whether People Should Be Able To Dip Into Pension Pots Early
Learn More