Guide
Health classes explained
Preferred Plus, Preferred, Standard Plus and Standard: what each label means and what factors move applicants between them.
Insurance companies price term coverage using rate classes. The names vary slightly between companies, but the ladder is consistent: Preferred Plus (sometimes Super Preferred or Preferred Best), Preferred, Standard Plus, Standard, then extra fees for higher risk. Tobacco users get a separate set of classes with higher premiums.
What underwriters look at
Build (height-to-weight ratio), blood pressure and cholesterol readings, family history of early heart disease or cancer (before age 60), driving history, prescription medication use, occupation and hobbies, and any tobacco or nicotine consumption. Preferred Plus requires excellent results across nearly everything. Preferred allows modest imperfections. Standard Plus and Standard allow controlled conditions such as managed high blood pressure.
How to use the quote tool
The health question on this site asks you to choose honestly: Excellent maps to Preferred Plus, Very good to Preferred, Good to Standard Plus, Average to Standard. Your quote reflects that assumption; the carrier will confirm the actual class through underwriting. If you are not sure which to pick, quote at two different levels and compare side by side, then let the application process determine the truth. An optimistic guess does not lower your real premium; it only makes your quote estimate wrong.
Different carriers have different guidelines for specific health conditions. Susman Insurance Agency helps you find carriers with favorable rules for your situation, which often has more impact on your final rate than the headline number.