Private Medical Insurance

ruddy1987 · 01-04-2026 12:47PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124352011#Comment_124352011

There will be a 10%+ price increase at your renewal this year. My advise would be wait until you get the renewal from the company and once you have that look at alternatives. You should get that by the end of May. Likely young adult would be better if they moved to VHI (best young adult rates). But send a message once you have renewal terms.

ruddy1987 · 01-04-2026 12:54PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124353935#Comment_124353935

I would be looking at Health Guide 3 and starting the policy effective 31st of March. If you click link here and click start date 31/03/2026 you can get this for €1,970.56 per adult.

Why HG3 over Prime

reduction on hospital excess's for day cases and overnight
€3,000 shortfall for ortho versus 40% (will be much higher cost)
Better refunds on GP's & Consultants with 75%

If looking to stay with Laya you should move to Connect Simplity which is €1,800 but doesnt have as good day to day and slightly higher hospital excess's.

https://www.hia.ie/comparison-tool/results/3AARozQ5OaUxMTg5OcKQkAGhMKM2NTAAk80H6gQBwpPNAQlpzQFFlQcEBQkGkJGTpUFkdWx0AAHDww%3D%3D

ruddy1987 · 01-04-2026 12:58PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124354128#Comment_124354128

Company plan has very limited day to day cover (due to high excess). I would be looking at PMI 53 10 and PMI 43 16.

PMI 53 10 is siliarly priced but much better cover and PMI 43 16 about €100 more expensive but better cover again.

https://www.hia.ie/comparison-tool/results/3AARozQ5OaUxMTg5OcKQkAGhMKM2NTAAk80H6gQBwpPMk80BHDuVBwQFCQaQkZOlQWR1bHQAAcPD

ruddy1987 · 01-04-2026 01:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124354137#Comment_124354137

For the female on Simply Health Plus I would be telling her to look at a plan called Better Select with Irish Life Health starting on 31/03/2026 , just select that on quote here. Its €1,866 versus €1,779 on Simply Health Plus. The reason the extra spend might make sense:

No Ophthalmic shortfall and orthopaedic shortfall only €2,000 versus 40% (somewhere between €4,000-€12,000 depending on procedure)
Consultant and GP refunds increase from 50% to 75%

https://www.hia.ie/comparison-tool/results/3AARozQ5OaUxMTg5OcKQkAGhMKM2NTAAk80H6gQBwpJsIJUHBAUJBpCRk6VBZHVsdAABw8M%3D

For the Male you cant really go wrong by making a plan change, Connect Simplicity is very well priced of you could look at the same Better Select Plan as this stacks up really well against Control 600.

E30M3 · 02-04-2026 10:21AM

Hi Ruddy

Just to echo what others are saying you are providing invaluable practical help here to all of us and it is appreciated.

Our own renewal is just in. 1st may 2026. VHI

2 adults late 50's one one Company Plan Plus 1.3 €1835.09

partner PMI 52 10 €1619.33

Son 22 in College 964.38

Total of €4,418 for 3.

Ortho important but after that would value any suggestions to move plan/provider and save some money if possible with broadly similar cover. Would spend about €2k on average on GP's , Consultants and scans etc

Thank you

mykidtractor · 02-04-2026 07:20PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124355602#Comment_124355602

Hi Ruddy,

As always, thank you for your advise and invaluable insights.

It is very much appreciated, thank you.

13rian · 02-04-2026 09:07PM

Hi Ruddy,

Great advice being dispensed by yourself thus far. I need to renew/change policies by the end of this month. Currently we are all with Laya on Prosper and the renewal quote is €3,650 for a family of 4 ages 47, 42, 4 and 2.

Adults are relatively fit and healthy. No more children coming into the picture. My knee has been playing up but hoping surgery is not required. We tend to avail of physical therapy and the likes of chiropody to keep ourselves ticking over and to avoid wear and tear with aging. Our main priority is that in the event of serious illness, we get seen and don't go broke paying medical bills. We don't mind paying an excess for private hospitals if it would result in a significant reduction in cost of a policy. Hospitals in or around Dublin would be most sought in the event of procedures if that makes any difference.

Our 4 year old has autism but possibly other coexisting additional needs requiring speech and language, occupational and play therapies (all the pricey stuff!) - he will most likely need loads of supports from a medical expenses standpoint for the foreseeable future, on a weekly basis in tranches of 8 weeks from experience to date - so excellent day-to-day "Everyday Expenses" cover would be ideal, provided it doesn't cost a prohibitive amount.

Are there any policies that have similar coverage or are more appropriate for our circumstances than Laya Prosper? There are significant expenses for the first year since I have had health insurance. I have completed some research and have some steer on it but interested to hear your views, prior to pulling the trigger on policy/policies.

Many thanks in advance.

Escapees · 02-04-2026 10:12PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124359466#Comment_124359466

Just my two cents on this as can relate to your situation:

Firstly, even though you can't do it online, a child can be put on a different plan to the parent/s with Laya (and presumably other insurers too). You have to ring up or email to get a quote and then they can update the renewal particulars accordingly if you want to proceed. Anyway, bottom line is that a child can be on a much better plan than the parent/s, but at a relatively cheap discounted child rate (hundreds rather than thousands of euro!).

Secondly, certain Laya plans have 75% everyday cover with a much lower excess and much higher overall expenses limit than Prosper. Optimum Premium may be a plan that might well be worth considering here.

Will leave Ruddy take the reins again...!

Private Medical Insurance

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