Quinn healthcare and VHI policy holders react to the news of the substantial price increases.
Teresa Dovander (35):I am with Quinn healthcare and I was horrified when I heard about the price hike. In the current economic climate it is just another blow to people who are trying desperately hard to keep their heads above water. We have an insurance policy covering myself, my husband and our young son and it is subsidised by his job but we're still paying close to €1,000 in health insurance so this is going to have a negative impact on us.
Gillian Kennedy (39):I have to say that Quinn healthcare's 16 per cent increase seems excessive to me. I pay around €40 a month for my policy and I am happy to pay something extra if it means that when I get older I don't have to pay a ridiculous amount or so that my parents aren't hit with much higher premiums now. I don't think people here would want insurers coming in to the country and cherry picking the most profitable customers so some level of community rating is important although we have no way of knowing what the situation will be when I get older and we have no way or really knowing if the 16 per cent is fair, you'd have to be an actuary to work it out.
Ray McCabe (57):I've been with the VHI for over 20 years and my policy covers me, my wife and our two adult children. I am paying close to €4,000 a year for a plan D policy and I really think this hike is obscene. if I stay with the VHI, it will end up costing me an extra €700 a year. That will definitely make me look at alternative options.
Louise Nicholls (30):A 23 per cent increase on VHI is totally outrageous. With so many other recent price rises it means that I'll probably end up opting for a basic healthcare package next year rather than the one I currently have because I simply can't afford such a hike.
Annette Ball (30):I'm really annoyed at the VHI price rises and think it's very unfair. The VHI got all that money from healthy people over the years and now that their customers are getting older everyone else has to pay to make up the difference.
Declan Conlon (43):I'm annoyed but not surprised at the inevitable attempt by Quinn Healthcare to use recent rulings and the financial crisis as justification for the price increases and will be cancelling my policy.
Sarah Sharkey (35):I am paying around €650 a year with the VHI and have been paying it since I was 21. This seems like a huge hike to me and I suspect that there is much better value out there. I've been tempted by other companies in recent years but this increase means I am more likely to switch although I will be comparing value as well as price, looking at the whole package.