Andrews brands VHI decision “outrageous”

Chris Andrews T.D. has today urged families and older persons particularly to explore switching their polices to other health insurers operating in the private health insurance market in Ireland,  following the commercial decision taken by VHI to increase its premiums by as much as 45% on some policy plans.

Speaking today Deputy Andrews said, “I would urge people to explore the other options that are available to them on the market. Irish people are traditionally very loyal to their health insurance company, often due to a mistaken belief that they will somehow be penalised if they move their policy to another insurer.”

“Unfortunately, it would appear that the VHI has chosen to abuse this loyalty by indiscriminately raising prices on customers who have been loyal to them for decades in some cases.  Instead of looking at where real and genuine savings could be made within the organisation, and passing on savings to the consumer they have simply decided to take the approach of chancing their arm and hoping people will shrug their shoulders and accept it.”

 “VHI talk of the fact that their customers have a higher age profile than the other insurers in the market, however, what they neglect to mention is the fact that many of these customers have paid a small fortune to the VHI over many years. Did the VHI think they were dealing with residents of never-never land, that people were never going to get older and need greater medical attention? There is competition in the market and I would strongly urge people to pursue the best value for money they can.”