New health insurer launching this week

Just an update that I logged into my Aviva quote for home insurance this morning and to my delight saw that they added the 50% discount code, so that is a significant saving for me at least. Very pleased with that.

Probably a silly question but having never used an online GP service before, can they issue you prescriptions too? I assume if so it’s via email that you print out and take to your local pharmacy?

You get what you chose to pay for. The problem with GP cover is that the people who want it are probably the same people who will use it to the limit. If you rarely visit your GP, do like me and find a plan with little or no cover for GP visits.

As a parallel, if you visit the dentist regularly for a checkup and your teeth are in good shape, you probably wouldn't be inclined to buy cover for dental treatment.

Yes, I do have a policy on my house.

Have a look at the Irish times from yesterday November 23.

Irish life have put up the cost of there insurance for the third time in one year.

The managing director Ger Davis to paraphrase...customers are seeking medical advice and diagnostics and that's pushing costs up!!!

Makes him sound like a compleat fool

What are customers suppose to do give them the money and make no claims?

If it comes down to it, they literally compare what the old plan covered for the specific thing you need.

Only covers pre-existing conditions, not new ones.

Thanks guys. I see the comparison tool HIA shows no comparable plan for Level D. Makes one wonder.

Discount now reduced to 5% on LH plans A, B & C and no discount at all on D. The remaining discounts are due to expire on 25/12.

Once the remaining discounts go, any price advantage is limited and the products will have to stand on their simplicity advantage alone.

Haven't seen any obvious public response from the incumbents as yet.

Does anyone here have a policy with them?

My first payment for my policy was due December 1st but they still haven’t taken any money from me. When I log onto their app I am getting a message that my payment is overdue and there is no option to pay manually.
My card details are uploaded properly so the issue doesn’t appear to be on my end.
I tried ringing them a few times but impossible to get through.
I’m just concerned my policy will be deemed invalid through no fault of my own.

If their track records are anything to go by, the people behind this venture are probably looking to fatten up yet another profitable medical insurance operation. With a view to selling it off at a hefty profit after 3-4 years to someone looking to enter the market or an existing general insurer looking to expand their Irish operation. So I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for a price war.

Plan C has gone up from €1,200 last December to €1,582 now, a 32% increase. The plan has virtually no day-to-day cover, and if you want that it's €1,800.

Disappointing from a new player that looked like they were going to stir things up a bit. Will be moving again - there's better value out there.

I read around Christmas time that Level health had around 0.8% of the health insurance market one year after launching. Given they were offering the simplicity of fewer plans, which ought to have been a huge selling point, I'm sure they must be disappointed with the low traction.

Now their 4 plans (which had increased to 5 a couple of months ago) has been reduced to 3 and their plan C, which was a competitive €1200pa 14 months ago is now €1743pa.

I suspect the large number of plans offered by the incumbents has arisen over the years from corporate clients that provide partially or fully paid staff plans. They want something that meets a particular premium, so a bespoke new plan is created. Level Health offers what it offers with no flexibility. It'll be interesting to see what happens over time.

I've just received my Irish Life renewal for 4D Health 1 . It's now a whopping €462 a month for two adults and one 18-25 year old. It had been €358 which I thought was dear enough. My husband is retired - I'm retiring next year -so something has to give.

I was on 4D Health 1 for several years but moved to MyPlan 150 in 2024. The premium came down by 7% with no significant reduction in cover.

In general terms, it's not a good idea to stay on the same plan long term. See post #55 above.