Guide
Health classes explained
What Preferred Plus, Preferred, Standard Plus and Standard mean, and what factors move you from one tier to another.
Carriers group term life applicants into rate classes for pricing. While names differ between companies, the structure is standard: Preferred Plus (sometimes Super Preferred or Best), Preferred, Standard Plus and Standard, plus additional ratings for greater risk. Tobacco users fall into a separate classification system with higher premiums.
What underwriters look at
Height and weight ratio, blood pressure and lipid levels, inherited heart or cancer risk, driving history, medications you take, occupation and hobbies, and nicotine or tobacco use. The top class requires nearly clean marks across all factors; Preferred permits some wiggle room; Standard Plus and Standard allow controlled conditions like managed blood pressure.
How to use the quote tool
The health question asks you to be honest about your own condition: Excellent corresponds to Preferred Plus, Very Good to Preferred, Good to Standard Plus, Average to Standard. Quotes match your selected class; carriers finalize it after underwriting. If you're unsure which class fits, quote two options and compare. Overstating your health doesn't lower the final cost—it only throws off the estimate.
Susman Insurance Agency can guide you toward carriers whose underwriting guidelines are most favorable for your specific health profile—often more important than the headline rates.