Two-thirds of adults with health insurance in Ireland have never switched insurer, according to new research carried out by Red C on behalf of Cornmarket, Ireland’s largest health insurance broker.
The study reveals that 56% of insured adults believe premium increases in recent years are not justified, while more than half say these increases are rarely or never clearly explained.
The main reasons cited by consumers for not switching are trust in their current provider (47%) and fear of losing benefits (33%). A quarter of people perceive switching to be either too much hassle or too complicated to compare plans.
Only 32% of respondents feel that they clearly understand their cover and benefits, while 56% find it difficult to compare health insurance plans. Overall, an annual cost saving of €280 is the average amount required to encourage switching.
“The findings reflect day-to-day feedback from our customers, which shows that most people have never switched provider, largely because they trust their existing insurer and fear losing the benefits or waiting periods they have built up over time, says Dermot Wells, head of health insurance at Cornmarket.
“A big part of the problem is fear driven by misinformation. The reality is that many households could significantly lower their premium without materially reducing their level of cover, simply by reviewing their plan annually to ensure it still reflects their current needs. On average, families who shop around and switch to better-value plans can save as much as €700 per year on comparable benefits.”
According to the research, just over half of Irish adults have private health insurance. The most common motives for having health insurance are peace of mind / financial protection (68%) and faster access to treatment (61%), followed by concerns about long public waiting lists (47%) and access to private hospitals or consultants (46%).
Despite rising premiums, 84% of parents with health insurance extend cover to include their children, with 55% agreeing that the benefits outweigh the costs.
1 in 3 believe that over 50s are not treated as fairly as younger people by health insurers. There is a perception that older people face higher price increases (80%), that insurers may be less likely to offer them their best plans (57%), and that some benefits may be reduced for older members (44%).
“The research shows that a lack of clarity persists, with many struggling to compare plans or fully understand their benefits. Contrary to popular belief, long‑held plans do not automatically represent better value. In practice, many older policies are expensive and outdated, while newer plans often offer more relevant benefits at a lower cost. Age, health history and loyalty are not in fact barriers to switching,” continues Dermot Wells.
The leading reason people give up or never take out health insurance is cost. Over 60% of those without health insurance say expense is the main barrier. Price is also the top reason insured people would consider dropping their cover. A third of those surveyed feel that better public healthcare access would reduce their need for health insurance.
If consumers could change one thing about health insurance in Ireland, the majority (56%) would make premiums cheaper. Over half (54%) believe more insurers are needed to boost competition in the market, while 42% feel that fewer plans would make it easier to understand and compare options.
Dermot Wells is head of health insurance at Cornmarket, Ireland’s largest health insurance broker. For further information, visit www.cornmarket.ie
Research was conducted by Red C on behalf of Cornmarket to explore public attitudes, perceptions and misconceptions about health insurance in Ireland. It was carried out in November 2025 among a nationally representative sample of over 500 adults aged 18+.