Guide
Health classes explained
Preferred Plus, Preferred, Standard Plus, and Standard: what the names mean and what determines which class you get.
Carriers set pricing for term policies by rate class. The exact names differ, but all use a similar scale: Preferred Plus (sometimes Super Preferred), Preferred, Standard Plus, Standard, plus extra charges for higher-risk cases. Tobacco users face a separate set of classes at higher rates.
What underwriters look at
Height and weight, blood pressure and cholesterol, family health history (heart disease or cancer before age 60), driving record, prescription medications, job and hobbies, and tobacco or nicotine use. The top class requires clean results across nearly everything; Preferred allows more flexibility; Standard Plus and Standard accommodate managed conditions like controlled high blood pressure.
How to use the quote tool
The health question asks you to evaluate yourself honestly: Excellent translates to Preferred Plus, Very good to Preferred, Good to Standard Plus, and Average to Standard. The quote uses your selection; underwriting confirms the final class. If you're uncertain, try two classes and compare results; the application determines the actual class. Picking a rosier picture doesn't lower your final cost—it just makes the estimate wrong.
Susman Insurance Agency can help identify carriers whose medical guidelines are more favorable for your specific situation—this often matters more than a headline rate.