45,000 consumers saved up to 20% by switching
- Over 70,000 customers have left VHI since the start of the year
- Switching is on the rise in health insurance market with over 45,000 joining Hibernian Aviva Health
- Dublin, Cork and Galway lead the nation in switching frenzy
Switching is on the rise among Ireland’s consumers according to a recent survey commissioned by the National Consumer Agency. The survey reveals four out of five consumers have switched service providers and saved money this year. The health insurance market in particular has seen customers marching with their feet to better value providers as 45,000 people have switched to Hibernian Aviva Health to avail of better cover and significant savings.
Interestingly, Dubliners are shopping around the most and switching health insurance providers as over 16,000 of Hibernian Aviva Health’s new customers in 2009 are from Dublin. Nearly 5,000 switchers are from Cork and nearly 3,000 are from Galway.
Commenting on the increase in switching, Jim Dowdall, Managing Director of Hibernian Aviva Health said, “Switching health insurers is at an all time high and the majority of our switchers are coming from VHI. Given the economic turmoil, people are more focused on value for money than ever before and they want to make sure their health cover represents money well spent. So it makes financial sense that consumers are switching from VHI to a better value provider like Hibernian Aviva Health in the tens of thousands”.
“Consumers are also starting to realise that moving health insurer is easier than switching their electricity or phone supplier. With just one simple phone call they can be covered immediately”, continues Jim Dowdall of Hibernian Aviva Health.
Hibernian Aviva Health also credits the increase in health insurance switching and growth of the business to the recent launch of its new suite of health insurance plans. The new plans deliver value without compromising on benefits and offer cover focused on addressing core healthcare requirements such as providing access to the most hospitals, scan and treatment centres, excellent cover for cardiac and cancer care as well as additional innovative benefits such as cervical cancer vaccination.
“The majority of this year’s switchers previously held VHI Plan B or VHI Plan B Options and by moving to the Hibernian Aviva Health Level 2 Hospital plan they are now enjoying access to more hospitals, scan and treatment centres, a wide range of core benefits and significant financial savings of up to €415 for a typical family* or up to €190 per person. With savings and benefits like this I expect the trend in Ireland’s 2.2 million health insurance consumers switching to Hibernian Aviva Health to continue”.
Price comparison tables versus Vhi:
| Adult | Family* | |
|---|---|---|
| Hibernian Aviva Health Level 2 Hospital | €710 | €2,065 |
| Vhi Plan B Options | €900 | €2,480 |
| SAVINGS | €190 | €415 |
*€415 saving is based on the price differential between Hibernian Aviva Health Level 2 Hospital and VHI Plan B Option for a family of two adults, two children and one student.
