Guide
Health classes explained
Preferred Plus, Preferred, Standard Plus and Standard—what each means and what moves someone up or down the scale.
Carriers organize term insurance pricing into rate classes. The names shift slightly between companies, but the structure stays the same: Preferred Plus (sometimes Super Preferred or Preferred Best), Preferred, Standard Plus and Standard, then table ratings for higher risk. People who use tobacco get their own separate class lineup with higher premiums.
What underwriters look at
Body mass index, blood pressure and cholesterol levels, your parents' and grandparents' health history (especially heart disease or cancer before age 60), your driving record, what medications you take, your job and hobbies, and any tobacco or nicotine products. Preferred Plus asks for clean results on almost everything; Preferred is a bit flexible; Standard Plus and Standard allow some managed conditions, like high blood pressure that's being treated.
How to use the quote tool
When asked about health, answer truthfully: Excellent aligns with Preferred Plus, Very good with Preferred, Good with Standard Plus and Average with Standard. Your quote reflects that class; the carrier settles your actual class during underwriting. Unsure which applies? Quote two classes to compare, then let the underwriting process determine the final one. Overestimating your health won't reduce the actual premium; it just makes your quote estimate less precise.
Susman Insurance Agency can guide you toward carriers whose underwriting rules are more favorable for your particular situation, which often matters more than the advertised rate.