Laya Healthcare announces latest price hike with premiums to rise by 4.7%

Kenneth Fox

Laya Healthcare has announced plans to implement another price hike, with an average increase of 4.7 per cent across 65 plans, equivalent to roughly €80 per adult per year.

Consumers will be informed of any changes to their plan, including any price or benefit changes in their renewal letter.

The price changes will affect those who renew their policy on or after April 1st, 2026. If the customer is mid-contract, their insurance cost will not change on April 1st, 2026; it will change only at renewal.

Approximately one-third of Laya plans will see no change or a reduction in price, including child rate and young adult rates.

All policyholders currently insured under one of these 16 plans will be moved to an equivalent plan at their renewal date.

Under legislation, the plan that the policyholder is being moved to must have the same inpatient benefits, with only a small level of deviation allowed.

Policyholders do not have to move to the plan offered as a replacement. They are free to move to any plan on the market.

Speaking about the changes, HIA’s chief executive, Brian Lee, said: “Price changes can be concerning for households, particularly at a time when many families are already managing rising costs.

"As always, our priority is to support consumers with clear, impartial information so they can make confident decisions about their cover.

“With insurers regularly updating their products and prices, we strongly encourage people to review their plan at every renewal. There may be better value options available that still meet your needs.

“Consumers should focus on the benefits that matter most to them and take the time to compare plans. Even when prices increase, switching or adjusting cover can lead to meaningful savings. Our free Comparison Tool is designed to make this process easier and more transparent.”

The HIA is reminding consumers:

• Your premium only changes at renewal;
• You can switch to any plan at renewal without penalty, even if your insurer updates or retires a plan;
• Newer plans can sometimes offer better value than older ones;
• Reviewing your cover is one of the most effective ways to reduce costs.