Irish Life Health will increase premiums on 99 plans by an average of 3% from October 1, applying to new customers and existing customers renewing from that date. Estimates indicate increases of €25–€70 per adult depending on the plan, with a typical two-adult, two-child family facing €60–€185 more annually. Not all plans will increase, with recently launched plans less likely to be affected. Irish Life previously raised rates 3.7% in January and just under 2% in April, plus small July changes. Regular price hikes are expected to continue into the peak renewal period affecting about 1.25 million members. Rising healthcare delivery costs are driving insurer price increases.
Irish Life Health is to raise the cost of 99 of its plans by an average of 3pc from the start of October, in a move that could add €185 over a year to a family's cost of cover. The three main health insurers in the market have announced multiple price rises in the last year, with hikes now being announced on a monthly basis. Irish Life's latest price-rise announcement comes days after Laya Healthcare said it was hiking 84 of its 116 plans by 4.5pc from the same date.
Irish Life said the price rises will apply for new customers from October 1, and existing customers whose renewal is due from October 1 onwards. Health insurance expert Dermot Goode said this latest increase from Irish Life Health could cost between €25 to €70 per adult, depending on the plan held. "For a typical family of two adults and two children, it could add anything from €60 to €185 to their total bill," he said. For those stuck on dated plans, the increases could be much higher, Mr Goode warned.
Irish Life Health already increased its rates by 3.7pc in January, and by just under 2pc from April to cover the levy increase. A further 10 plans had another small increase from July 1. Mr Goode warned: "Unfortunately for consumers, the trend of regular price hikes throughout the year is set to continue similar to what we experienced in 2023 and 2024. "Further price hikes are expected as all insurers prepare for the peak renewal period from October onwards when over half the market renews their cover, or around 1.25 million members." Managing director of Irish Life Health Ann Marie Nestor said all health insurers are continuing to face increases in the cost of delivering healthcare. "These rising costs are driven by growing demand for complex treatments, advances in medical care, and ongoing investment in healthcare infr
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