Health insurance costs rise by 7% as people urged to consider options 

Data shows that 71% of people have never switched their policy 

VHI and Laya Healthcare have recently announced new price increases from October 1 — the second price hikes for each so far this year. Photo Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie

The cost of the average insurance premium has increased by 7% during the first half of the year as the Health Insurance Authority encourages people to consider switching to save money.

However, these figures don’t even include the most recent price increase from Laya Healthcare and VHI, both of which will take effect in October.