For most first-time homebuyers, the final steps of a property purchase are a blur of excitement and paperwork. But for Konstantina Kalliontzi, a 26-year-old tech worker, the process culminated in a financial shock that felt less like a business transaction and more like a personal judgment.
After saving diligently to leave her current modular home—where she pays €1,150 per month—and purchase a two-bed terrace in Donabate, north Dublin, Kalliontzi was hit with a mortgage protection insurance quote of €289.97 per month. The figure was staggering, primarily because a basic policy would have cost roughly €30. The remaining €250 was a “loading” fee—a penalty added by the insurer because Kalliontzi survived cancer six years ago.
The experience highlights a systemic gap in the Irish financial sector where medical recovery does not always equate to financial recovery. For many, obtaining mortgage protection insurance for cancer survivors remains a gauntlet of high premiums and restrictive terms, even years after a clean bill of health.
Kalliontzi was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at age 20 while studying at University College Dublin. The condition carries a survival rate of approximately 95 per cent, and after four months of intensive therapy, her medical team treated her as healthy. However, that medical clearance did not translate to the insurance market.
“I honestly spent the whole day that day [of policy offer] feeling less than. It put me down,” Kalliontzi said. “it brought me back to when I was sick.”
The Mechanics of Insurance Loading
Mortgage protection is essentially a life insurance policy designed to pay off a borrower’s loan in full should they or a co-borrower pass away. Because insurers price their products based on risk, they apply “loadings” to premiums for factors they perceive as high-risk, such as smoking, dangerous occupations, or pre-existing health conditions.
In Kalliontzi’s case, the perceived risk of her past cancer diagnosis outweighed the fact that she had been in remission for six years. She noted that after checking with multiple providers, AIB Life was the only insurer willing to offer her a quote at all.
This discrepancy often creates a paradox for survivors: while doctors may declare them fully recovered, the financial industry continues to view them through the lens of their illness. Kalliontzi described the feeling as being treated as “subhuman” under certain policies, noting that it is tricky to be seen on the same level as others when being “judged on something you cannot control.”
A Legislative Shift: The Right to be Forgotten
The struggle faced by survivors like Kalliontzi has fueled a long-standing campaign by the Irish Cancer Society. Since 2021, the organization has pushed for a “right to be forgotten,” arguing that survivors should not face lifelong financial penalties for a disease they have overcome.
Until recently, some relief existed through a voluntary code of practice. Under this agreement, eight insurers agreed to ignore a cancer diagnosis for loans up to €500,000, provided the patient’s treatment ended at least seven years prior. Because Kalliontzi’s treatment ended six years ago, she fell just outside this window of protection.
In response to these hurdles, the Irish Government recently announced plans to legislate a formal “right to be forgotten.” This latest law would require insurers to disregard a person’s past cancer diagnosis once they have been in remission for five years. Crucially, the legislation is expected to increase the maximum loan coverage under these terms to €650,000.
| Feature | Voluntary Code of Practice | Proposed “Right to be Forgotten” Law |
|---|---|---|
| Remission Period Required | 7 Years | 5 Years |
| Max Loan Coverage | €500,000 | €650,000 |
| Enforcement | Voluntary (8 Insurers) | Legislated Requirement |
Steve Dempsey, the director of advocacy for the Irish Cancer Society, called the government’s announcement a “major step forward,” emphasizing that survivors have historically faced “endless paperwork trails and hurdles” to access the basic financial services required to secure a home.
Corporate Responses and the Path Forward
The insurance industry maintains that its pricing is based on actuarial risk, though some institutions express a desire to be more flexible. A spokesperson for AIB stated that the institution is “conscious” of the challenges facing those who have suffered serious illness and is “committed to engaging constructively and empathetically” with customers in those circumstances.
The spokesperson added that AIB works with insurance partners to offer cover on specific terms rather than declining it outright, and noted that You’ll see “limited and exceptional circumstances” where mortgage protection insurance requirements can be waived entirely.
For Kalliontzi, the timing of the legislation is critical. Her new home is scheduled for completion over the summer. If the “right to be forgotten” is not enacted and applied in time, she will be forced to accept the €290 monthly premium under a two-year contract.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Insurance premiums and legislative requirements may vary based on individual circumstances and jurisdiction.
The next critical milestone will be the formal enactment of the “right to be forgotten” legislation. Once the bill passes through the Oireachtas and is signed into law, the specific implementation dates for insurers will determine how many thousands of survivors can renegotiate their premiums.
We want to hear from you. Have you or a loved one faced similar hurdles with insurance after a health crisis? Share your experience in the comments below or share this story to raise awareness about the right to be forgotten.
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