Health insurance to become 'unaffordable' for many policy holders 

VHI has announced that it is increasing the cost of its plans by an average of 7% from the start of March. Picture: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie

Health insurance is set to become "unaffordable" for many families and elderly policy holders in a matter of weeks in the face of a third hike in prices in the space of just one year.

VHI has announced that it is increasing the cost of its plans by an average of 7% from the start of March. But added to the two previous hikes by the company in the last year, the actual increase could see hikes of up to €1,400 for an elderly couple and €500 for a family.