Guide
Health classes explained
The four main categories—Preferred Plus, Preferred, Standard Plus, and Standard—what insurers mean by them and how you move between them.
Insurers organize term life pricing with rate classes. While naming differs by carrier, the structure remains consistent: Preferred Plus (sometimes called Super Preferred or Preferred Best), Preferred, Standard Plus and Standard, with table ratings for elevated risk, plus tobacco-specific classes with higher costs.
What underwriters look at
Body composition (height and weight), blood pressure and cholesterol, family cardiac or cancer history before turning 60, motor vehicle record, past and current medications, occupation and activities, and nicotine/tobacco consumption. Preferred Plus requires strong results across nearly everything; Preferred is a bit more flexible; Standard Plus and Standard can accommodate managed issues like treated high blood pressure.
How to use the quote tool
Answer the health question candidly: Excellent correlates with Preferred Plus, Very good with Preferred, Good with Standard Plus, and Average with Standard. The quotes reflect your selected class; final classification happens during underwriting. Unsure which applies? Quote multiple classes and see the difference, then let the carrier decide during application. Claiming a better-than-accurate health class won't reduce your final cost; it just makes the estimate less reliable.
Susman Insurance Agency helps you locate carriers with more favorable guidelines for your particular health circumstances, which often matters more than the advertised rate.