Aviva health insurance announces 5% price increase

Aviva health insurance has announced price hikes.

The insurer says it "greatly regrets" the move, which its blaming on changes to government policy concerning public bed charges, and an increase in the cost of claims because of the age profile of its customers.

The increase will average 5.2% on a range of its private health insurance policies and comes into effect on January 1st next.

However, the company said it is also reducing the cost of its Health Value Plan by 8%, and won't implement any price hike on some of its newer entry-level policies.