Health insurance premiums 'could increase by 50%'

Health insurance will cost 50% more over the next 10 years — with the average premium increasing from €1,200 to €1,800 to meet the cost of increasing claims from older members, writes Evelyn Ring.

The managing director of Irish Life Health, Jim Dowdall, said the €600 increase in the cost of health insurance would result from an annual 4% increase in claims.