Guide
Health classes explained
Preferred Plus, Preferred, Standard Plus and Standard: what these class names mean and what factors shift you among them.
Insurance companies set term-life premiums by rate class. Exact names vary by insurer, but the structure stays consistent: Preferred Plus (sometimes called Super Preferred or Preferred Best), Preferred, Standard Plus and Standard, followed by table ratings for higher-risk applicants. Tobacco buyers sit in a separate set of categories at elevated rates.
What underwriters look at
Physical build (height and weight), blood pressure and cholesterol levels, family illness history (heart disease or cancer under age 60), driving history, medication history, job type and pastimes, and nicotine or tobacco consumption. Reaching the highest class takes near-perfect results across all categories; Preferred permits minor issues; Standard Plus and Standard accommodate controlled conditions like medicated high blood pressure.
How to use the quote tool
The health query asks you to self-assess honestly: Excellent corresponds to Preferred Plus, Very good to Preferred, Good to Standard Plus and Average to Standard. Quotes align with that class; underwriting determines the final assignment. When uncertain, quote multiple classes and evaluate them—the underwriting decision trumps your estimate. Picking a rosier class won't lower the true price; it merely skews the projection.
Susman Insurance Agency can help you look at carriers whose guidelines are more friendly to your specific health situation, which often makes a bigger difference than the headline rate.