Guide
Health classes explained
Preferred Plus, Preferred, Standard Plus, and Standard—what each means and how your situation determines which one applies.
Carriers segment term life using rate classes. The names vary slightly across companies, but the structure is consistent: Preferred Plus (or Super Preferred/Preferred Best), Preferred, Standard Plus, Standard, and table ratings for extra risk. People who smoke have their own class ladder at higher prices.
What underwriters look at
Height, weight, blood pressure and lipids, whether close relatives had heart disease or cancer before 60, driving history, medications, job and hobbies, and tobacco or nicotine use. Top-tier needs nearly perfect results everywhere. Preferred is more forgiving. Standard Plus and Standard allow managed conditions (treated hypertension, for example).
How to use the quote tool
Describe yourself honestly on the health question: Excellent goes to Preferred Plus, Very good to Preferred, Good to Standard Plus, Average to Standard. Your quotes reflect that class; the carrier confirms it through underwriting. Uncertain? Pull quotes in a couple of health categories to compare—let the application determine the final tier. Optimistic self-reporting doesn't lower your eventual rate; it just makes the estimate less accurate.
Susman Insurance Agency understands which carriers have favorable underwriting for specific health situations—sometimes more important than the base rate.