Health cover price war set to hot up

The health insurance price war is expected to hot up over the coming weeks as providers fight to win younger insurers before new penalties apply for taking out cover for the first time.

Laya Healthcare, Ireland’s second-largest health insurance provider, yesterday announced Ireland’s lowest cost health insurance plan in a bid to attract younger buyers. The plan, called Assure Vitality, costs €430 a year for a single adult. The cost of insuring a family of two adults and two children on the same scheme starts from €1,152.

From May 1, new penalties will apply to those over the age of 34 taking out insurance cover for the first time.