New health insurer launches in Ireland saving families €500 with cheaper policies

A new health insurer, Level Health, is launching in Ireland today (Friday 15th November) promising simplified and cheaper policies. The launch is expected to shake up the market and push competitors to drop their prices.

Level Health is a 50/50 joint venture between insurer Aviva and its founders and senior executives which include a number of experienced industry veterans. The company has been co-founded by former Vhi chief executive, Oliver Tattan.

The company claims it will simplify overcomplicated insurance policy options by offering just four plans, in comparison to the nearly 350 policy options currently available with existing insurers.

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Level Health says it has agreements with all public and private hospitals, as well as access to more diagnostic, urgent care and emergency care centres than any other health insurer here.

Children under the age of three will be covered free on all plans and overall a family of four who switch to it from a comparable Laya, Vhi or Irish Life Health plan can expect to save an average of €500, it claims.

It will also offer instant digital access via What's App to doctors and healthcare professionals and allow customers to make a face-to-face appointment if they would prefer. Plus, it offers free multi-trip worldwide travel insurance, including winter sports, for the term of a policy.

Customers who move to Level Health from another insurer with a comparable level of cover will not have to re-serve waiting periods.

"The launch of Level Health marks a pivotal moment for a broken Irish health insurance market," said Jim Dowdall, CEO of Level Health.

"For too long, customers have been overwhelmed by confusing plans, limited options, and a lack of real alternatives.

"Level Health is the cure. We're not just entering the market - we're reshaping it, bringing clarity, simplicity, and genuine competition."